What Are Peptides? A peptide is a short chain of amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds. Bioactive peptides are what is found in Kambo, and these exert a positive effect in humans due to their health-promoting properties. Bioactive peptides can exert several beneficial effects like preventing diseases or modulating the physiological systems once they are absorbed in the human body. The main families of bioactive peptides identified in Kambo so far include : Phyllomedusin - Such as tachykinins (which also act as neuropeptides) - produce contraction at the smooth muscle level and increase secretions of the entire gastrointestinal tract Phyllokinin and Phyllomedusions - Both are potent vasodilators, increasing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier both for their own access as well as for that of other active peptides. Medusins are in this family which have antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Caeruleains and Sauvagines - Peptides with 40 chains of amino acids. They have myotropic properties on the smooth muscle, producing a contraction of the colon and urinary bladder, produce a drop in BP accompanied by tachycardia. They stimulate the pituitary gland and adrenal cortex, contributing to greater sensory perception and increased resistance. Both peptides possess a great analgesic power, which contributes to increased physical strength, capacity to confront pain, stress, disease and diminish the symptoms of fatigue. In the medical field this family of peptides contributes to improved digestion and has analgesic properties against pain in renal colic, pain due to peripheral vascular insufficiency and tumor pain. Dermorphin and Deltorphin - Selective agonists of the opiate delta receptors, 4000 times more potent than morphine without addictive properties, and 40 times more than endogenous endorphins. Adenoregulins - Work on the human body through the adenosine receptors. These receptors may offer a target for the treatment of depression, stroke and cognitive loss diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Dermaseptins - Show lethal effects against filamentous fungi responsible for infections which accompany immunodeficiency syndrome and use of immunosuppressive agents. Show lethal effects against a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi, yeasts and protozoa. Several years of research carried out at the University of Paris have shown that peptides Dermaseptin B2 and B3 are effective in kidding certain types of cancer cells. Research at Queens University in Belfast recently won a prestigious award for ground breaking work with cancer and Kambo. It's action mechanism is produced by inhibiting the angiogenesis of tumor cells, with selective cytotoxicity for these cells. Bradykinins - Important sources of scientific study as they are hypotensive and due to producing vasodilation, contraction of the non-vascular smooth muscle, increased vascular permeability and relation to mechanism of inflammatory pain. Bombesins - Peptides stimulate secretion of hydrochloric acid by acting on G cells of stomach. Increase pancreatic secretion, intestinal myoelectric activity and smooth muscle contractility. Ceruleans - Stimulate gastric, bile and pancreatic secretions, and certain smooth muscle. Can be used in the paralytic ileus and as a diagnostic medium in pancreatic dysfuntion. Tryptophilins - Neuropeptides consisting of 4 to 14 amino acids, which are opening up new perspectives on how the human brain works.