Navalny was killed by epibatidine — a poison from an Ecuadorian frog

As The Insider learned, five countries (Great Britain, Sweden, France, Germany, and the Netherlands) were able to analyze samples of Alexei Navalny's biomaterials, removed by his family after his murder. Several independent laboratories were able to detect epibatidine in the samples — this is a supertoxic poison extracted from the skin of the South American poison dart frog (Epipedobates tricolor). Representatives of the five countries will make a joint statement today on the sidelines of the Munich Conference.

The chlorinated alkaloid Epibatidine was discovered by John Daly in 1974, but its structure was fully elucidated only in 1992.

Epibatidine is a neurotoxin that acts on nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. These receptors are involved in the transmission of pain sensations, as well as in movement and other functions.

Epibatidine causes numbness of the entire body, which can rapidly progress to complete paralysis. Doses become lethal when paralysis causes respiratory arrest.

Павялічыць

The structure of epibatidine was elucidated in 1992, however, this was hindered by the designation of the E. anthonyi species as a protected species in 1984. Additionally, these frogs do not produce the toxin when bred and raised in captivity, as they do not synthesize epibatidine themselves. Like other poisonous dart frogs, they acquire it from their diet and then accumulate it on their skin. Probable sources include beetles, ants, mites, and flies. The first synthesis of epibatidine was completed in 1993.

Due to its analgesic effect, there was great interest in using epibatidine as a therapeutic agent, as it was found not to be an opioid. This meant it could potentially be used without fear of future addiction. However, it soon became clear that the dose causing toxic symptoms was too low to be safe.

Павялічыць

Epibatidine has two mechanisms of action: it can bind to either nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) or muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR). Specifically, the analgesic property of epibatidine is believed to be due to its binding to α4/β2-type nicotinic receptors.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are found in the postsynaptic membranes of nerve cells. They ensure the transmission of neurotransmitters in the central and peripheral nervous systems. When neurotransmitters bind to these receptors, ion channels open, allowing Na+ and Ca2+ ions to enter the cell.

Epibatidine causes paralysis and loss of consciousness, convulsions, coma, and ultimately, death.

In vitro studies apparently show that epibatidine is practically not metabolized in the human body. Maximum concentration in the brain is reached approximately 30 minutes after entering the body.

"The publicly available data on Alexei Navalny's symptoms align with what is known about the action of epibatidine," said Dr. Alexander Polupan, an intensivist who treated Navalny for Novichok poisoning, to The Insider. "A natural alkaloid isolated from poisonous frogs. It stimulates N-cholinergic receptors in neuromuscular synapses, autonomic ganglia, and the CNS. In the early phase, it causes tachycardia, hypertension, vomiting, myoclonus, and convulsions. These rapidly change to bradycardia, hypotension, and respiratory depression. The clinical picture is somewhat similar to organophosphate poisoning, but with a less pronounced M-cholinergic component. Atropine is effectively ineffective."

How exactly the samples were removed from Russia has not been reported.

These forensic findings confirm the conclusions of The Insider's 2024 investigation that Alexei Navalny was poisoned in prison.

February 16 will mark two years since Alexei Navalny's sudden death.

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