Mesembrenone 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 ...
constituent of ''
Sceletium tortuosum'' (Kanna) and minor constituent of
Lampranthus
''Lampranthus'' is a genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to southern Africa.
Description
The genus name ''"Lampranthus"'' means ''"shining-flowers"'' in Greek, and the species of this genus have unusually large, bright ...
aureus and Lampranthus spectabilis
Similar to modern synthetic
antidepressants, it is a potent (IC
50 < 1 μM) selective inhibitor of the
serotonin transporter (SERT) (that is, a
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; K
i = 27 nM) and also a
phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4)
inhibitor
Inhibitor or inhibition may refer to:
In biology
* Enzyme inhibitor, a substance that binds to an enzyme and decreases the enzyme's activity
* Reuptake inhibitor, a substance that increases neurotransmission by blocking the reuptake of a neurotra ...
(K
i = 470 nM).
See also
*
Mesembrine
Mesembrine is an alkaloid present in ''Sceletium tortuosum'' (kanna). It has been shown to act as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (Ki = 1.4 nM), and more recently, has also been found to behave as a weak inhibitor of the enzyme phos ...
another alkaloid constituent of Kanna.
References
{{Reflist
Serotonin
PDE4 inhibitors
Alkaloids