Caerulein
GI / DigestiveAlso known as: Ceruletide, Cerulein, Caerulein
Amphibian PeptidesResearch phase: Clinical (diagnostic, largely discontinued)Regulatory: Previously approved as diagnostic agent in some countries. Largely discontinued from clinical use.
Mechanism
Caerulein is a frog skin peptide similar to the gut hormone CCK. It stimulates gallbladder contraction and pancreatic secretion and has been used clinically as a diagnostic agent.
Technical detail
Caerulein is a decapeptide from Hyla caerulea skin structurally homologous to cholecystokinin (CCK-8). It activates CCK-A and CCK-B receptors, stimulating gallbladder contraction, pancreatic enzyme secretion, and GI motility. Previously used clinically for diagnostic imaging; now primarily used in research to induce experimental pancreatitis models.