Abstract
Wieland and Alles 1 isolated bufotoxin from the skin of B. vulgaris or B. bufo bufo. In our study of Ch'an Su and the secretions of 10 additional species of toads, we obtained a buf otoxin from the dried venom of each species. The word buf otoxin is used generically for the same reason as given for bufagins. Chemically, the bufotoxins are formed by the conjugation of one molecule of suberyl-arginine with one molecule of a specific buf agin found in the respective secretions. Their pharmacological action is similar to that of bufagins, being different only in degree (Table I), as shown by the systolic standstill in the myocardiogram of frogs, typical changes in the electrocardiograms of cats, and emesis in cats and pigeons. Locally, they are bitter to the taste.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.