Corynanthine, also known as rauhimbine, is an
alkaloid
Alkaloids are a class of basic, naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Some synthetic compounds of similar ...
found in the ''
Rauvolfia
''Rauvolfia'' (sometimes spelled ''Rauwolfia'') is a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs, commonly known as devil peppers, in the family Apocynaceae. The genus is named to honor Leonhard Rauwolf. The genus can mainly be found in tropical reg ...
'' and ''
Corynanthe'' (including ''Pausinystalia'') genera of plants.
It is one of the two
diastereoisomer
In stereochemistry, diastereomers (sometimes called diastereoisomers) are a type of stereoisomer. Diastereomers are defined as non-mirror image, non-identical stereoisomers. Hence, they occur when two or more stereoisomers of a compound have dif ...
s of
yohimbine
Yohimbine (), also known as quebrachine, is an indole alkaloid derived from the bark of the African tree '' Pausinystalia johimbe''; also from the bark of the unrelated South American tree ''Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco''. Yohimbine is an α2 ...
, the other being
rauwolscine
Rauwolscine, also known as isoyohimbine, α-yohimbine, and corynanthidine, is an alkaloid found in various species within the genera ''Rauvolfia'' and '' Corynanthe'' (including ''Pausinystalia''). It is a stereoisomer of yohimbine. Rauwolscine i ...
.
It is also related to
ajmalicine
Ajmalicine, also known as δ-yohimbine or raubasine, is an antihypertensive drug used in the treatment of high blood pressure. It has been marketed under numerous brand names including Card-Lamuran, Circolene, Cristanyl, Duxil, Duxor, Hydroxysarp ...
.
Corynanthine acts as an
α1-adrenergic and
α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist
An antagonist is a character in a story who is presented as the chief foe of the protagonist.
Etymology
The English word antagonist comes from the Greek ἀνταγωνιστής – ''antagonistēs'', "opponent, competitor, villain, enemy, riv ...
with approximately 10-fold
selectivity
Selectivity may refer to:
Psychology and behaviour
* Choice, making a selection among options
* Discrimination, the ability to recognize differences
* Socioemotional selectivity theory, in social psychology
Engineering
* Selectivity (radio), a ...
for the former site over the latter.
This is in contrast to yohimbine and rauwolscine which have around 30-fold higher affinity for the α
2-adrenergic receptor over the α
1-adrenergic receptor.
As a result, corynanthine is not a
stimulant
Stimulants (also often referred to as psychostimulants or colloquially as uppers) is an overarching term that covers many drugs including those that increase activity of the central nervous system and the body, drugs that are pleasurable and inv ...
(or an
aphrodisiac
An aphrodisiac is a substance that increases sexual desire, sexual attraction, sexual pleasure, or sexual behavior. Substances range from a variety of plants, spices, foods, and synthetic chemicals. Natural aphrodisiacs like cannabis or cocain ...
for that matter), but a
depressant
A depressant, or central depressant, is a drug that lowers neurotransmission levels, which is to depress or reduce arousal or stimulation, in various areas of the brain. Depressants are also colloquially referred to as downers as they lower the ...
, and likely plays a role in the
antihypertensive
Antihypertensives are a class of drugs that are used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Antihypertensive therapy seeks to prevent the complications of high blood pressure, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Evidence suggests tha ...
properties of ''Rauvolfia'' extracts. Like yohimbine and rauwolscine, corynanthine has also been shown to possess some activity at
serotonin receptors.
See also
*
Ajmalicine
Ajmalicine, also known as δ-yohimbine or raubasine, is an antihypertensive drug used in the treatment of high blood pressure. It has been marketed under numerous brand names including Card-Lamuran, Circolene, Cristanyl, Duxil, Duxor, Hydroxysarp ...
*
Rauwolscine
Rauwolscine, also known as isoyohimbine, α-yohimbine, and corynanthidine, is an alkaloid found in various species within the genera ''Rauvolfia'' and '' Corynanthe'' (including ''Pausinystalia''). It is a stereoisomer of yohimbine. Rauwolscine i ...
*
Spegatrine
Spegatrine is an α1- and α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist isolated from '' Rauvolfia verticillata''. Its dimer dispegatrine has greater antagonist affinity for α-adrenergic receptors.
See also
* Ajmalicine
* Corynanthine
* Rauwolscine
...
*
Yohimbine
Yohimbine (), also known as quebrachine, is an indole alkaloid derived from the bark of the African tree '' Pausinystalia johimbe''; also from the bark of the unrelated South American tree ''Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco''. Yohimbine is an α2 ...
References
{{Serotonin receptor modulators
Alkaloids found in Rauvolfia
Alpha-1 blockers
Alpha-2 blockers
Antihypertensive agents
Tryptamine alkaloids
Indoloquinolizines
Quinolizidine alkaloids