Monoaminergic, Ion Channel and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Natural Aporphines, their Analogues and Derivatives

Abstract

The aporphine alkaloids constitute the second-largest group of isoquinoline alkaloids. Nevertheless, only a relatively small number of natural aporphines and their derivatives have been studied from a pharmacological viewpoint. Here we review the pharmacological data available for these compounds as related to their dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic activities, and also some results pertaining to their effects on ion channels and enzymes.

Papaveraceae Juss.

“…Reaching levels as high as 5.4% d.w., alkaloid concen trations are highest about the time of fl owering and fruiting (Gasic and Popovic 1985;Gorunovic et al 1985) (Figure 53.17). Glaucine, like other aporphines, nonselectively binds to dopaminergic, serotonergic, and adrenergic receptors producing mainly inhibition resulting in a variety of effects, including decreased blood pressure, depression of respiration, mild muscle relaxation, sedation, and seizures at high dosage (Southon and Buckingham 1989;Cassels and Asencio 2008). Similar effects are noted for some of the protopines (Abu -Ghalyun et al 1997;Vacek et al 2010).…”

“…monoaminergic sites (Schmeller et al 1997;Cassels and Asencio 2008). Binding at dopaminergic, serotonergic, cholinergic, and adrenergic receptor sites or with various enzymes associated with natural agonists often results in antagonist effects.…”

Nitrogen-Containing Constituents of Black Cohosh: Chemistry, Structure Elucidation, and Biological Activities

“…Interestingly, a recent study by de la Peña et al claims that magnoflorine possesses sedative and anxiolytic effects mediated by the GABAergic system [82]. Aporphinoids also act as α-adrenergic antagonists [83], and those with quaternary nitrogen have affinity for neuronal nicotinic receptors. For example, xanthoplanine ( 35 ) bound to the α4β2 subtype of nicotinic receptors with a K i of 0.91 µM [84].…”

8-, 9-, and 11-Aryloxy Dimeric Aporphines and Their Pharmacological Activities

“…Naturally occurring and synthetic aporphines possess a wide range of biological activities such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiplatelet, anti-arrhythmic, antiprotozoal, antiplasmodial, antiviral, antibacterial, antimalarial, antiparkinsonian, and anticonvulsant properties [6]. Over the last few decades, several reviews covering the pharmacological activities of aporphines such as their antioxidant [8], cytotoxic [9][10][11][12], antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties [13] as well as their dopaminergic, noradrenergic, and serotonergic activities [14][15][16] have been published. Additionally, the potent free radical scavenger properties of S-(+)-boldine (1) (Figure 1) and its numerous pharmacological activities have been reviewed [17,18].…”