Dermorphin
also known as H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2, TAPS, dermorphin heptapeptide
Heptapeptide opioid (H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2) originally isolated from Phyllomedusa frog skin. Highly selective μ-opioid receptor agonist with ~30× potency of morphine. Contains naturally occurring D-alanine at position 2, conferring exceptional receptor selectivity and biostability. Research use only; controlled substance in many jurisdictions.
At a glance
Research only · ICV / SC (animal models)
Primary target — μ-opioid receptors (central and peripheral) [negri-1992][steel-2014].
Pathway — μ-receptor activation → G-protein coupling → adenylyl cyclase inhibition → neuronal hyperpolarization.
Downstream effect — Potent analgesia, reduced nociceptive signaling, opioid-mediated CNS and peripheral effects.
Origin — Phyllomedusa sauvagei and P. bicolor frog skin — gene-encoded with natural D-amino acid incorporation [amiche-1998][mignogna-1992].
Feedback intact — N/A — exogenous opioid agonist.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Controlled substance in many jurisdictions · Research onlyNot approved for human use. |
| Animal research (ICV) | Low nanomolar to picomolar rangeIntracerebroventricular administration in rodent models. |
| Detection limit (doping) | 5 pg/mL in equine plasma/urine [steel-2014]High-throughput LC-MS/MS screen developed for racing industry. |
| Duration of action | 10–120 minutes (dose-dependent, intrathecal) |
| Evidence basis | Animal studies · In vitro assays |
| Human toxicity | Kambô ritual (P. bicolor skin) — violent emesis, vasodilation, fluid shifts, ADH dysregulation [tran-2025] |
Reconstitution
A pure mass-to-volume utility. Enter what you have in the vial; the atlas computes the volume per dose. No prescription information.
- — Human use — not approved by any regulatory authority
- — Controlled substance status — possession illegal in many jurisdictions
- — Known opioid hypersensitivity or respiratory compromise
- — Any context outside approved animal research protocols
- — CNS depressant co-administration
- 01Legal and ethical framework
Dermorphin is a controlled substance in many jurisdictions and is not approved for human use. Possession, synthesis, or distribution may be illegal. Use is restricted to licensed research settings under institutional review.
- 02Animal research protocols
In rodent models, intracerebroventricular (ICV) or intrathecal injection is used at nanomolar to picomolar concentrations. Subcutaneous administration also documented. All protocols require IACUC approval.
- 03Analytical detection
High-throughput LC-MS/MS screens developed for anti-doping programs detect dermorphin and 17 related peptides in equine and human urine/plasma at limits as low as 5 pg/mL. [steel-2014]
- 04Kambô ritual (traditional use)
Application of Phyllomedusa bicolor skin secretions to superficial burns. Not recommended — associated with severe toxicity including violent emesis, hyponatremia, and documented case of brain death. [tran-2025]
Sources
of 47 rendered claims carry a resolvable citation.
- [amiche-1998]Amiche 1998 — Opioid peptides from frog skin.
journal, 1998 - [cucumel-1996]Cucumel 1996 — Production and characterization of site-directed antibodies against dermorphin and dermorphin-related peptides.
journal, 1996 - [lazarus-1999]Lazarus 1999 — What peptides these deltorphins be.
journal, 1999 - [mignogna-1992]Mignogna 1992 — Identification and characterization of two dermorphins from skin extracts of the Amazonian frog Phyllomedusa bicolor.
journal, 1992 - [negri-1992]Negri 1992 — Dermorphin-related peptides from the skin of Phyllomedusa bicolor and their amidated analogs activate two mu opioid receptor subtypes that modulate antinociception and catalepsy in the rat.
journal, 1992 - [steel-2014]Steel 2014 — A high throughput screen for 17 Dermorphin peptides in equine and human urine and equine plasma.
journal, 2014 - [tran-2025]Tran 2025 — Shamanic Kambô Frog Hyponatremic Toxicity Leading to Brain Death: A Case Report.
journal, 2025