Bufonis Corium
Aliases：Hā Bā Pí (Toad Skin, from Yifang Yueshuo), Lài Má Pí (Toad Skin, from Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook), Gān Chán Pí (Dried Toad Skin), Chán Chú Pí (Toad Skin).
Chán Pí (Toad Skin) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material derived from the dried skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor or Bufo melanostictus Schneider, animals belonging to the family Bufonidae. The product appears as flat plate-like pieces, approximately 0.5 mm in thickness, with the head slightly obtuse-triangular and the limbs flexed outward. The outer surface is rough; the dorsal side is greyish-brown with wart-like protrusions of varying sizes, darker in color; the ventral side is yellowish-white with finer wart points. The head is relatively smooth with prominent, elongated oval parotoid glands arranged in a figure-eight pattern. The inner surface is greyish-white, with black shallow depressions corresponding to the wart points. In more complete specimens, the forelimbs have no webbing between the toes, while the hind limbs are long, robust, and webbed. It is tough in texture and not easily broken. Chán Pí was first recorded in Bencao Fengyuan.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, detoxifies, promotes diuresis, and reduces distension. It is also recorded as having the effects of killing parasites and treating malnutrition. For external use, it can draw out and contain toxins.
Indications
Indicated for carbuncles, toxic swellings, scrofula, tumors, malnutrition with abdominal distension, and chronic bronchitis. It may also be used for eczema, herpes, acne, malignant sores, and rectal prolapse. In modern clinical practice, it is applied in the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer, early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and other malignant tumors.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitumor effects: Oral administration of cinobufotalin at 20 g/kg inhibits the growth of mouse sarcoma (S180), mouse hepatoma (Heps), and mouse reticulosarcoma (L2) with an inhibition rate of over 30%. Cinobufotalin at 7.5 g crude drug/kg shows a 63.7% inhibition rate against rat W256 tumors. Arenobufagin extracted from fresh toad skin at 10 μg shows a 52% inhibition rate against mouse P388 leukemia cell growth. Compound toad skin capsules have shown radiation-sensitizing effects and some degree of protection against radiation-induced side effects. Immunomodulatory effects: Cinobufotalin significantly increases serum IgG levels in normal, immunosuppressed, and sensitized mice, promoting both humoral and non-specific cellular immune functions. Intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 ml per mouse of cinobufotalin injection for 14 consecutive days significantly increases total white blood cell count. Anti-hepatitis B virus effects: Cinobufotalin significantly inhibits DHBV replication and exhibits strong antiviral activity. Both clinical observations and 2215 cell in vitro experiments have shown that the anti-DHBV efficacy of cinobufotalin increases with dosage. Hypertensive effects: Arenobufagin at 300 μg raises rat blood pressure by 5.33 kPa (40 mmHg), maintaining this effect for 40 minutes. Antibacterial effects: Toad skin extract shows inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Other effects: Toad skin monomer components also exhibit anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and cardiotonic effects.
Ingredients
Bufadienolides (cardiotonic steroids): Ninety compounds have been isolated, including cinobufagin, resibufogenin, bufalin, arenobufagin, gamabufotalin, telocinobufagin, bufothionine, and others. Indole alkaloids: Present in relatively high concentrations in toad skin. Bufothionine amides and small cyclic peptides. Steroids and other compounds. Other components: Cinobufotalin, cholesterol, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, and others. Water-soluble components: Cinobufotalin injection is a water-soluble preparation extracted from the whole skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 1.5–9 g; or grind into powder and take in pills or powders, 0.3–0.9 g each time. Some sources also document 1–3 g. For external use: apply an appropriate amount; fresh application as a patch; or dry, grind into powder, and mix with a suitable base for topical application. It may also be calcined to preserve its properties, ground into powder, and applied or mixed for application.
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy. Contraindicated in patients with exterior heat and deficiency distension (from Yinpian Xinshen / New Reference for Decoction Pieces). Use with caution in children. For external use, the inner surface of the skin must not be placed against the flesh, as it may adhere firmly and be difficult to remove. This product is toxic and should be used with caution. Oral administration should be under the guidance of a physician.
Selected Formulas
For red and swollen fingertips with sores (Xingqie Jianmi) Take a live toad, skin it alive, and wrap the outer side of the skin around the affected area. The poison will be drawn out by the next day. Be careful not to let the inner side of the skin touch the flesh. For carbuncles and sores (Lingmi Danyao Jian) Take a large toad, peel off the whole warty skin, and cover the sore opening with it. Prick several holes in the toad skin with a needle to allow toxic qi to exit. For reducing swelling and eliminating toxins (Yao Lian Qimi, Jinchan San) Take an appropriate amount of dried toad skin, grind into powder, and mix with honeysuckle dew for external application. For prolapse of the rectum (Sun Simiao's formula) Take a piece of toad skin, burn it inside a bottle, and fumigate the protruding area with the smoke. For various herpes, eczema, and acne (empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of toad skin, apply externally as a poultice.
Medicinal Parts
The dried skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor or Bufo melanostictus Schneider (the dried body with internal organs removed), animals belonging to the family Bufonidae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from insects.
