Samandarin is the main steroidal alkaloid of the skin glands of the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra). It is extremely toxic, causing strong muscle convulsions and high blood pressure combined with hyperventilation in vertebrates. Samandarines have been isolated in the toxic principles of the fire salamander and alpine salamanders (Salamandra atra). Samandarines are the major component in the parotoid glands of these salamanders and are more prevalent in the fire salamander. The high toxicity (LD50 of 70 μg in mice) is likely due to potent local anesthetic activity. The toxic secretions from these granular skin glands can serve to protect the amphibian from predators due to their noxious effects on buccal tissue. They may even serve to help protect amphibians from bacterial or protozoan infections.
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