(R,S)-Anatabine is a minor alkaloid produced in plants of the Solanaceae family, including tobacco.
1 The detection of (R,S)-anatabine in urine is used as an indicator of tobacco use, particularly when nicotine-
containing products (gum, patches, inhalers, and medications) are also being used.
2,3 (R,S)-Anatabine increases nicotine self-
administration and locomotor activity in rats.
4 Of note, (R,S)-anatabine diminishes amyloid-β production
in vitro and
in vivo. (R,S)-Anatabine reduces (600 μg/ml) the transcription and protein levels of β-
secretase, lowering the amount of Aβ (1-40) and Aβ (1-42) in a dose dependent manner in SHSY-
5Y cells. (R,S)-Anatabine also dose dependently inhibits NF-
κB activation.
5