Inside The 'Dart Frog Toxin' Reportedly Linked To Alexei Navalny's Death

In a shocking twist, the mysterious poisoning of Alexei Navalny has been linked to a toxin so potent it's used by indigenous tribes to tip their hunting arrows, the dart frog toxin, epibatidine. This rare and lethal substance, typically found in the skin of South American poison dart frogs, has put Russia in the crosshairs of international scrutiny.

What Is "Dart Frog Toxin"?

Scientists describe the toxins found in poison dart frogs as some of the most powerful natural poisons known to science. These small, brightly coloured amphibians live in the rainforests of Central and South America and carry potent chemical compounds in their skin as a defence against predators. 

Also Read | Navalny Killed With 'Dart Frog Toxin', Russia To Blame: UK, 4 Other Nations

How the Toxin Works

According to Environmental Literacy Council, the most notorious poison associated with dart frogs is batrachotoxin, a steroid alkaloid that interferes with the way nerves and muscles communicate. Normally, nerve cells send electrical signals by opening and closing specialised pathways called voltage-gated sodium channels. Batrachotoxin forces these channels to remain open, causing a continuous flow of sodium ions into the cells. This disruption can lead to paralysis and heart failure. 

According to ScienceDirect, scientists explain that batrachotoxin is extremely potent - it is among the deadliest natural poisons, capable of causing rapid and severe effects if absorbed into a body. 

Where the Toxin Comes From

Interestingly, dart frogs do not produce these poisons themselves. Instead, researchers believe that the frogs acquire toxic chemicals through their diet, especially from insects such as ants, beetles and mites that contain alkaloid compounds. Frogs raised in captivity on a controlled diet do not develop the same level of toxicity. 

Another toxin known from some species of poison dart frog is epibatidine, a chlorinated alkaloid also found in frog skin secretions and studied for its biological effects. 

Effects on Humans

Exposure to batrachotoxin can result in numbness, convulsions, muscle paralysis and, in severe cases, respiratory failure and death. There is no known antidote for batrachotoxin poisoning, making it extremely dangerous.