Abstract
AbstractAmphibians like toads have been known to secrete antimicrobial secretions outside their body into their environments, through skin pores and parotid glands. Toad skin-secretions contain four types of compounds namely, biogenic amines, bufadienolides, alkaloids & steroids and peptides & proteins. Bulk of research relating to amphibian antimicrobial secretions has been done on frogs. In toads, such research has only been done in South America, Europe and China. Antimicrobial secretions vary considerably from specie-to-specie and drastically across various biomes. This prompted us to examine and confirm presence of antimicrobial activity (if any) in Indian Common Toad (Bufo melanostictus Schneider 1799) skin secretions since; no such analysis had been previously done on this toad which is found all across the South-east Asia. The antibacterial potency of toad skin secretions was tested against the bacteria, Escherichia coli. After running preliminary antibacterial analysis assays, we found that these cutaneous secretions retrieved from Indian Common Toad possessed potential bactericidal activity. The results that we got confirmed that some unexplored bactericidal components were present in skin secretions of these toads. These conclusions call for further research into biochemistry and molecular characterization of these components.
Highlights
Bulk of research relating to amphibian antimicrobial secretions has been carried out on frogs
Composition and constitution of compounds found in toad skin-secretions varies significantly from specie-to-specie 8, 9. This implies that skin-secretions of B. melanostictus may have many novel and unique compounds with previously unexplained mechanisms. This makes it imperative to carry out preliminary examination of effectiveness of B. melanostictus skin-secretions to recognize whether it exhibits antimicrobial action or not, before extensive research in this regard can be initiated
The antimicrobial activity of B. melanostictus skin-secretions was tested against the gramnegative bacilli, Escherichia coli (Strain tested for Lac+), which is a major enteric pathogen, in developing countries 11
Summary
Bulk of research relating to amphibian antimicrobial secretions has been carried out on frogs. Toxins or compounds secreted from their skin pores are of special interest for experimental evaluation, since they help toads to endure in habitats full of pathogenic microbes. Skin-secretions of toad especially of those belonging to genus Bufo contain as many as 86 different types of active compounds 6, each of which has potentials of becoming a potent drug.
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