Peptides›Other›Dermorphin

Dermorphin

/ 7-amino-acid peptide (Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2) from amphibian skin; mu-opioid agonist

SPECULATIVEN = 0 · TESTING PENDINGLAST REVIEW 2026·04·20

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Research use onlyAny dose figures below describe what specific cited studies used, reported factually. Nothing on this page is guidance for human use.READ FIRST →

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§ A · Identity

Primary sequence— sequence not captured —

MW · —CLASS · 7-amino-acid peptide (Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2) from amphibian skin; mu-opioid agonistCATEGORY · Other

Originally isolated from amphibian skin. Extremely potent mu-opioid receptor agonist. Not in pharmaceutical development. Primarily a research tool.

§ B · Mechanism of action

Dermorphin is a naturally occurring 7-amino-acid peptide isolated from the skin of South American Phyllomedusa frogs. It is a highly potent and selective mu-opioid receptor agonist, with potency estimates ~30-40× morphine on a molar basis.

§ C · Human clinical evidence

No pharmaceutical human development. Small academic investigations have reported analgesic activity in pain models. Used primarily as a research tool for opioid pharmacology.

§ D · Primary literature

PubMed6269672Broccardo M et al. — Pharmacological data on dermorphins, a new class of potent opioid peptides from amphibian skin · British Journal of Pharmacology · other-animalOriginal pharmacological characterization of dermorphins from amphibian skin as highly potent mu-opioid receptor agonists.Limitations: Preclinical only. Dermorphin is not in human therapeutic development and is used primarily as a research tool.1981

§ F · Safety signal

As a potent mu-opioid agonist, dermorphin carries the full class safety profile: respiratory depression, sedation, dependence, and overdose risk. Potency magnifies these risks.

§ H · Regulatory status

Regulatory status

FDA status:: Not FDA-approved

§ I · Notable gaps and controversies

Dermorphin has attracted attention for doping in horse racing, where it has been used illicitly as an ultra-potent analgesic. Open Assay strongly discourages any non-research use given the well-established mu-opioid safety liabilities.