Throughout nature, poisons and noxious substances may be produced ​de novo​ or are sequestered from dietary sources/symbiotic organisms in order to act as a chemical defense. The compounds such as amines, peptides, proteins, steroids, and both water-soluble and lipid-soluble alkaloids are held in the granular skin cells of amphibians and are otherwise unknown in nature. For many amphibians, the compounds serve as a defense against predators and chemical antimicrobial barrier 1 against microorganisms. Scientists are still looking to understand how the secretion is produced. Most likely, the skin alkaloids are sequestered from unknown dietary sources, which is why the frogs stop producing their secretion in captivity.

At a micro-level, there are a group of molecules known as Nucleic Acids. Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) holds our genetic code, and Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) is involved in coding, decoding, regulating, and expressing genes. These molecules are sequenced in triplets then paired together to form messenger systems, housing vital information and comprising the single building block of proteins and peptides known as amino acids.

When one or more acids are linked in a chain, they form a peptide. Twenty different amino acids make up peptides and proteins (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, etc.) that are found in all living things on Earth. Short chains of amino acids form peptides, while long chains form proteins. When peptides reach a length of over 50 amino acids, they form proteins that are the building blocks for life. Proteins are more complex because of their length, and most proteins are folded into structures to accommodate all the amino acids involved. Keratin is a protein that forms hair, hooves, nails, claws, feathers, and scales, while collagen forms tendons, ligaments, bones, and tooth enamel. After water, proteins are the largest component of human and animal cells and tissues.

Peptides perform wide ranges of functions depending on their amino acid components. The body breaks down and reuses the amino acid compounds. For instance, if a person eats meat, the enzymes in the stomach break down the proteins to create an assortment of peptides that may be digested or excreted, depending on the body’s needs.

Types of Peptides:

●  Hormones are peptides that carry signals between glands and cells to regulate body functions such as sleep and blood sugar. Hormones are made in the Endocrine system as well as in the stomach, intestines, and liver. Bradykinins, gastrin, and oxytocin are all peptides containing hormones.

●  Antibiotics are also peptides that function to stop the growth of microorganisms in the body.

●  Neuropeptides are produced in the brain and can be found in the central and peripheral nervous system. They help neurons communicate with each other and influence activities in the body such as analgesia, food intake, learning, and memory. Everything from mood, energy level, pain, pleasure, weight gain, cognitive reasoning, ability to form memories, and immune system regulation are controlled by neuropeptides. They transmit signals with information in several directions and, in reverse, work as hormones, neuromodulators, and neurohormones.

o As neuromodulators, neuropeptides activate and deactivate other neurotransmitters, like the chemicals serotonin, dopamine, and histamine or the neuropeptides insulin, oxytocin, and vasopressin.

o Endorphins are a type of neuropeptide that act as natural painkillers by blocking Substance P (another type of neuropeptide) in the central nervous system. From this activity, the term “endogenous morphine” is derived. Substance P is also a neuropeptide that can transmit pain-related information to the central nervous system from the peripheral nervous system.

o Neuropeptides may be pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory. Their functions are to increase collagen and elastin, repair scars and wrinkles, and improve circulation.

Bioactive peptides are amino acid chains that perform specific biological functions with positive impacts on the human body. For example, protein synthesis and immunoglobulin (antibody) production. The Kambo secretion contains a complex mixture of bioactive peptides, which are today researched and synthetically duplicated to replicate the micro-functions of the natural bioactive peptides. In the US alone, there are over 70 Kambo patents lodged. Since Kambo is a natural substance, when the bioactive peptides enter the body, cell receptors open and allow them to enter the cell. However, when foreign substances enter the body, the cell does not always unlock and must be broken into, which is a process that causes stress to the cells. Further, Kambo cleans out deposits left in the cells by foreign substances that the cell was not able to process.

Firstly, the inflamed dermis easily absorbs substances due to the vasodilation and increased capillary permeability. As described earlier, the cells receptors open to allow the substance to enter the cells. Certain peptides (bradykinins and tachykinins) present in large amounts in Kambo are pro-inflammatory agents that increase permeability from the burns. Caerulein accounts for many of the primary effects of Kambo and is responsible for early purges.