Bufotalin (BFT)

Bufotalin is a cardiotoxic bufanolide steroid, cardiac glycoside analogue, secreted by the Common European toad (Bufo bufo) and other related toads such as Bufo melanostictus. Major bufadienolides isolated from skin secretions of Bufo sp.Biogenic amines present in toad-secretions include serotonin (5-hydroxytryplanime), histamine, bradykinin etc. Bufadienolide is regarded as derivative of steroids with two double-bonds present in bufanolide side-chain such that it"""s known as bufotoxin when in combined-state with nitrogenous compounds like arginine and bufogenin when in free-state. Toad skin glands actually secrete a compound called bufonin, which is a weaker poison but as soon as it comes in contact with air it gets oxidized to a bufadienolide called Bufotalin [C26H26O6] which imparts a milky appearance to the toad secretions.