While there is much interest in the secretion of The Monkey Tree Frog, the Scientific community has not been able to pharma replicate the effects of Kambo outside of the original being/format.
The bioactive 'peptides' that are found in Kambô bind with receptor sites found in the brain. These peptides perform hormone-like tasks while others provide support to vital cellular processes, acting as a key to the lock of our many biological systems.
Scientist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Vittorio Erspamer of the University of Rome wrote that the Kambô secretion contains a “fantastic chemical cocktail with potential medical applications, unequaled by any other amphibian”.
Erspamer notes that 'among the several dozen peptides found in Kambô, up to 9% are bio-active.’ Some of these peptides have a potent effect on pain, inflammation, the gastrointestinal muscles, gastric and pancreatic secretions, blood circulation, and on the stimulation of the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland. The Phyllomedusa skin peptides are grouped in to three main groups according to their ‘‘primary’’ activity: antimicrobial peptides (AMPs); smooth muscle active peptides; and nervous system active peptides (Erspamer et al. 1981).
Very timely that so many of the peptides could very well support the clearing of virus, bacteria and other invaders. The antimicrobial peptides from Phyllomedusa frogs were reported in a variety of research papers.
As a testament to their medicinal potentials and bioactive properties, it is said there are over now over 70 Kambô related patents, though that exact number is inconclusive. Kambô peptide research is currently being carried out in regards to:
HIV/AIDS, Autoimmune Disease, STDS, Hepatitis + Herpes, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Skin and eye issues, Infertility, Endocrine Disease, Vascular insufficiency, Organ diseases, Chronic Pain Relief, Depression, Anxiety, Digestive issues, Candida, mold, fungus, Chronic Fatigue, Migranes, Circulation issues, Cancer, Sports Medicine and more.
KAMBO PEPTIDES
The main families of bioactive peptides identified in the Kambô secretion so far include:
Phyllomedusin – such as tachykinins (which also act as neuropeptides) – produce contraction at the smooth muscle level and increase secretions of the entire gastrointestinal tract such as the salivary glands, stomach, small and large intestine, pancreas and gallbladder. These are the main parts responsible for the deep purge produced by the administration of Kambô.
Phyllokinin and Phyllomedusins – both are potent vasodilators, increasing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier both for their own access as well as for that of other active peptides. Within this family are the medusins, which also have antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
Caeruleins and Sauvagines – They are peptides with chains of 40 amino acids with myotropic properties on the smooth muscles, producing a contraction of the colon and urinary bladder. They produce a drop in blood pressure accompanied by tachycardia. They stimulate the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland, contributing to greater sensory perception and increased resistance. Both peptides possess a great analgesic power, contributing to the increase of physical strength, the capacity to confront physical pain, stress, disease and diminish the symptoms of fatigue. In the medical field this family of peptides contributes to improved digestion and has analgesic properties against pain in renal colic, pain due to peripheral vascular insufficiency and tumour pain.
Dermorphin and deltorphin – These are small peptides composed of 7 amino acids. They are selective agonists of the opiate delta receptors, 4000 times more potent than morphine and 40 times more than the endogenous endorphins.
Ceruleins – Stimulate gastric, bile and pancreatic secretions, and certain smooth muscle. They could be used in the paralytic ileus and as a diagnostic medium in pancreatic dysfunction.
Tryptophilins – are neuropeptides consisting of 4 to 14 amino acids, which are opening up new perspectives on how the human brain works.
Adenoregulins – discovered in the 90s by John Daly’s team at the National Institute of Health in the United States. Adenoregulin works on the human body through the adenosine receptors, a fundamental component throughout all human cellular fuel. These receptors may offer a target for the treatment of depression, stroke and cognitive loss diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and also Parkinson’s.
Antimicrobial peptides: Dermaseptins, including adenoregulins (with 33 amino acids), plasticins and philloseptins form part of a family of a broad spectrum of antimicrobial peptides involved in the defence of frogs’ bare skin against microbial invasion. These are the first vertebrate peptides that show lethal effects against filamentous fungi responsible for severe opportunistic infections which accompany the immunodeficiency syndrome and the use of immunosuppressive agents. They also show lethal effects against a broad spectrum of bacteria both large+ and large-, fungi, yeasts and protozoa. Several years of research carried out at the University of Paris have shown that peptides Dermaseptin B2 and B3 are effective in killing certain types of cancer cells. Research at Queens University in Belfast recently won a prestigious award for his ground-breaking work with cancer and Kambô. Its action mechanism is produced by inhibiting the angiogenesis of tumour cells, with selective cytotoxicity for these cells.
Bradykinins – such as phyllokinins and tryptophilins. They are peptides with structure and properties similar to human bradykinin. They are important sources of scientific study as they are hypotensive and due to producing vasodilation, contraction of the non-vascular smooth muscle, increase vascular permeability, also related to the mechanism of inflammatory pain.
Bombesins – these peptides stimulate the secretion of hydrochloric acid by acting on the G cells of the stomach, regardless of the pH of the medium. They also increase pancreatic secretion, intestinal myoelectric activity and smooth muscle contractibility.
"Amphibian skin has long been favored in folklore for its medicinal properties," said Louise A. Rollins-Smith, Ph.D., associate professor of Microbiology & Immunology and principal investigator at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "Frogs are a rich source of potentially useful molecules that might work against human pathogens."
References:
Peter Gorman, ‘Making magic’ from Omni, July 1993
Marcelo Bolshow Gomes, ‘Kambô The Spirit of the Shaman’
‘Ruolo dei peptidi antimicrobici nell’ immmunita’ innata’, Universita’ di Roma.
Articles and essays
Gio L., Research and Treatments
S. A. (1984) Ph.D. dissertation (Columbia University, New York).
V. Erspamer, G. F. & Cei, J. M. (1986) Comp. Biochem. Physiol. C 85, 125-137.
‘Sostanze bioattive: dalla pelle di un anfibio al cervello umano’, Academy of Science, University of Rome, Sapienza, 1987