Uses
Dihydro-β-erythroidine is an alkaloid isolated from the seeds of erythrina and a competitive antagonist at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR).
Definition
ChEBI: Dihydro-beta-erythroidine hydrobromide is a member of indoles.
Biological Activity
Competitive nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist with moderate selectivity for the neuronal α 4 receptor subunit (IC 50 values are 0.19 and 0.37 μ M for α 4 β 4 and α 4 β 2 receptors respectively). Antagonizes behavioral effects of nicotine in vivo .
in vitro
dhβe has been shown to be a purely competitive antagonist of the neuronal nicotinic receptor [1].
in vivo
dhβe is able to block some of the central actions of nicotine after systemic and intrathecal administration. the mechanism of blockade is different from that of mecamylamine, a classical ganglionic antagonist, and may involve a direct action of dhβe on nicotine receptor [2].
IC 50
1.3 μm for α2β2, 2.3 μm for α2β4, 0.41 μm for α3β2, 23.1 μm for α3β4, 0.37 μm for α4β2, and 0.19 μm for α4β4 [1]
References
[1] harvey sc, maddox fn, luetje cw. multiple determinants of dihydro-beta-erythroidine sensitivity on rat neuronal nicotinic receptor alpha subunits. j neurochem. 1996 nov;67(5):1953-9.
[2] damaj mi, welch sp, martin br. in vivo pharmacological effects of dihydro-beta-erythroidine, a nicotinic antagonist, in mice. psychopharmacology (berl). 1995 jan;117(1):67-73.
[3] murphree hb. effects in human volunteers of subparalytic doses of dihydro-beta-erythroidine. clin pharmacol ther. 1963 may-jun;4:304-10.