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Exogenous opioid heptapeptide (frog skin)

Dermorphin

Dermorphin is a naturally occurring opioid heptapeptide from the skin of Phyllomedusa frogs and a highly potent, selective mu-opioid receptor agonist. Its D-alanine at position 2 confers unusual stability.

By The Peptides Codex Editorial TeamIndividual review date not recorded

Page data last changed: . Chemistry registry snapshot: . Registry refreshes and identity assessments are separate from scientific content review.

Length
7 aa
Class
Exogenous opioid heptapeptide (frog skin)
Function
Potent, highly selective mu-opioid receptor agonist
Context
Naturally occurring peptide and research tool; misused historically in animal sport, where it is prohibited — not a Health Canada-authorized product

Contains a rare D-amino acid at position 2, a hallmark of proteolytically stable frog-skin opioids.

Part of the Neuropeptides & signaling cluster

Overview

Dermorphin is a naturally occurring opioid heptapeptide from the skin of Phyllomedusa frogs and a highly potent, selective mu-opioid receptor agonist. Its D-alanine at position 2 confers unusual stability. It is a research peptide, not a Health Canada-authorized product, and this page is educational only.

Source & context

Biological / chemical source: Skin secretions of South American frogs of the genus Phyllomedusa

Primary research or clinical context: Naturally occurring peptide and research tool; misused historically in animal sport, where it is prohibited — not a Health Canada-authorized product

The D-amino acid signature

Dermorphin, Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2, carries a D-alanine at the second position — an extremely rare feature in vertebrate peptides that resists enzymatic breakdown. This natural D-residue is a classic illustration of how stereochemistry protects a peptide from proteases and is a strategy medicinal chemists deliberately borrow.

Context and misuse

Reported to be many times more potent than morphine at the mu receptor in laboratory assays, dermorphin has been detected as an illicit doping agent in animal racing, where it is banned. This page describes its chemistry and biology for educational purposes only and does not endorse or describe any use in humans or animals.

Structure & chemistry

Molecular identity & reference confidence

Source-supported reference

Reference values are taken from the cited molecular record or curated profile. A database match is not independent laboratory verification; modifications, counter-ions, and formulations can change the measured mass.

Molecular form
Dermorphin (source record; form not independently established)
Species
Not established by this molecular identity audit
Termini (N / C)
Not specified / Not specified

Average reference mass

Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05

Molecular formula
C40H50N8O10
Average reference mass
≈ 802.9
Identifiers

Chemistry values: PubChem · fetched 2026-10-01.

Concentration math

Dermorphin — reconstitution calculator

Enter how much peptide is in the vial and how much diluent (e.g. bacteriostatic water) is added. The tool returns the resulting solution concentration — and, for any amount you type, the volume it corresponds to. This is educational arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.

Reference form: Dermorphin (source record; form not independently established)Average reference mass: 802.9 Da

Syringe graduation
Solution concentration
5 mg/mL5,000 mcg/mL
mcg

Enter an amount to see the volume it corresponds to.

Educational concentration mathematics only. This tool does not recommend a dose, amount, or protocol, and nothing here is medical advice. Many peptides are not authorized by Health Canada for human use — see our reconstitution and bacteriostatic-water guides for context.

Open the Dermorphin calculator on its own page →

FAQ about Dermorphin

What is Dermorphin?+

Dermorphin is a naturally occurring opioid heptapeptide from the skin of Phyllomedusa frogs and a highly potent, selective mu-opioid receptor agonist. Its D-alanine at position 2 confers unusual stability. It is a research peptide, not a Health Canada-authorized product, and this page is educational only.

What Canadian product status is recorded for Dermorphin?+

Canadian product status for Dermorphin has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.

What is the typical length of Dermorphin?+

Dermorphin is commonly described as approximately 7 amino acids (Exogenous opioid heptapeptide (frog skin)).

Related peptides

Motilin
Gut hormone
Motilin is a 22-amino-acid gut hormone secreted by endocrine cells of the small intestine. It coordinates the migrating motor complex, the wave of contractions that clears the digestive tract between meals, earning it the nickname the housekeeper of the gut.
Obestatin
Gut hormone
Obestatin is a 23-amino-acid peptide cleaved from the same preproghrelin precursor that produces ghrelin. It was originally proposed to oppose ghrelin's appetite-stimulating effects, though its physiology and receptor remain actively debated in the research literature.
Albiglutide
Incretin mimetic (GLP-1 receptor agonist)
Albiglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist created by genetically fusing two modified GLP-1 sequences to human serum albumin, giving it a long half-life suited to once-weekly dosing. Approved as Tanzeum and Eperzan in 2014, it was later withdrawn from the market for commercial reasons and is now a historical case study.
Neurotensin
Neuropeptide
Neurotensin is a 13-amino-acid neuropeptide found in the brain and gut. Research examines its interactions with dopamine signaling and its roles as a neuromodulator and local hormone.

References & further reading

  1. 1.Mizoguchi et al. (2011). Dermorphin tetrapeptide analogs as potent and long-lasting analgesics with pharmacological profiles distinct from morphine. Peptides
  2. 2.Melchiorri et al. (1996). The dermorphin peptide family. Gen Pharmacol
  3. 3.Robinson et al. (2015). Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of dermorphin in the horse. J Vet Pharmacol Ther
  4. 4.Zhuang et al. (2026). Dermorphin blocks apneic response to intravenous bolus injection of fentanyl. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol
  5. 5.Hesselink et al. (2018). Rediscovery of old drugs: the forgotten case of dermorphin for postoperative pain and palliation. J Pain Res
  6. 6.de Castiglione et al. (1985). Structure-activity relationships of dermorphin synthetic analogues. Peptides
  7. 7.Ummadisetty et al. (2024). Dermorphin [D-Arg2, Lys4] (1-4) Amide Alleviates Frostbite-Induced Pain by Regulating TRP Channel-Mediated Microglial Activation and Neuroinflammation. Mol Neurobiol
  8. 8.Amiche et al. (1988). Structural requirements for dermorphin opioid receptor binding. Int J Pept Protein Res
  9. 9.PubMed — Amino acid composition and sequence of dermorphin (7287299)
  10. 10.Wikipedia — Dermorphin
Disclaimer: Educational content only. Not medical advice. Not instructions for human use. Research peptides and unapproved products may be restricted or illegal to market for human consumption in your jurisdiction. Consult qualified professionals and applicable law.
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