The original source of Dermorphin is Sauvage’s leaf frog , Brazilian orange-legged leaf frog, Jandaia leaf frog. Potent and selective natural opioid that binds as an agonist to μ-opioid receptors. 30–40 times more potent than morphine. Antinociceptive effect.

Dermorphin is a peptide expressed by the frog venom skin glands with a potent opiate-like activity on mu-type opioid receptors, which have potent depressive and analgesic effects. Dermorphin may also have effects on pulmonary ventilation and pituitary hormone release.

Dermorphin is 30-40 times more potent than morphine, however it has never been approved for medical use in humans or animals.