rotundine

Chemical Properties

Off-White Solid

Uses

Rotundine is an analgesic drug found in Chinese herbal medicine, used to treat heart disease and liver damage.

Definition

ChEBI: A berberine alkaloid obtained by formal addition of two molecules of hydrogen to the pyridine ring of palmatine.

Biological Activity

levo-tetrahydropalmatine (l-thp) is an active herbal constituent of preparations containing plant species of the genera stephania and corydalis. in china, it has been approved and used for a number of clinical indications under the drug name rotundine.

in vitro

in contrast to other thpb derivatives, l-thp is an antagonist at both of d1 and d2 receptors. the ki values for l-thp at d1 and d2 dopamine receptors are approximately 124 nm (d1) and 388 nm (d2), while the ic50 values are 166 nm and 1.4 μm for d1 and d2, respectively. the relatively high affinity of l-thp at d1 vs. d2 receptors, distinguishes it from other available dopamine receptor antagonist drugs (e.g., haloperidol) [1].

in vivo

it has been found that l-thp produces dose-dependent reductions in locomotor activity and operant responding for non-drug reinforcers in rats [1].

References

[1] wang jb, mantsch jr. l-tetrahydropalamatine: a potential new medication for the treatment of cocaine addiction. future med chem. 2012 feb;4(2):177-86.