Derivatives from slimy and moist frog skin are good antidotes for many diseases, say the studies conducted at the Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology, Kochi. Dr K. Santosh Kumar and Dr Sanil George, of the department of molecular medicine and cancer biology at the center, have extracted 30 peptides (chains of proteins) from frog skins which from which powerful antibiotic drugs can be made. Dr. George said "These are natural peptides and in the present world where the use of antibiotics affects human resistance, natural antibiotics will be in great demand since they don't affect the resistance of the body. This can change the whole world of antibiotics.

The studies have been conducted in the Western Ghats, an area endemic to several species of frogs, and extracts taken from 63 per cent of them can be used to make antibiotic drugs. According to the scientists, the frog skin glands are literally a pharmacy of natural peptides. This naturally builds up a wall against any microbial infection. The secretions are extracted by giving a mild electrical stimulation to the frogs. "We have been looking at the various contents in these secretions which have a capacity to selectively kill micro-organisms, making clear why wounds in frogs get healed very quickly," said Dr George. "The studies conducted in the last two years are in the final stages and the patent work is in progress," he added. Combining these peptides with classic antibiotics can create new and safe drugs, the scientists asserted.