PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES OF SAPO FROM THE FROG PHYLLOMEDUSA-BICOLOR SKIN - A DRUG USED BY THE PERUVIAN MATSES INDIANS IN SHAMANISTIC HUNTINGPRACTICES

The dried skin secretion from Phyllomedusa bicolor, 'sapo', is used by the Matses Indians of the Northern Peru, in shamanic rites mainly des igned to improve luck in hunting. When rubbed into burned, exposed are as of the skin, the drug causes the prompt appearance of violent perip heral gastrointestinal and cardiovascular effects soon followed by rem arkable central effects (increase in physical strength, heightening of senses, resistance to hunger and thirst, exalted capacity to face str ess situations). All the peripheral and most of the central effects of 'sapo' can be ascribed to the exceptionally high content of the drug (up to 7% of its weight) in potently active peptides, easily absorbed through the burned, inflamed areas of the skin. The concentration in ' sapo' of the single peptides (phyllocaerulein, phyllomedusin, phylloki nin, dermorphins and deltorphins) has been determined by bioassay, and peptide contents were correlated with the different symptoms of the ' sapo' intoxication.