Rauwolscine, also known as isoyohimbine, α-yohimbine, and corynanthidine, 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 various species within the genera ''
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'').
It is a
stereoisomer
In stereochemistry, stereoisomerism, or spatial isomerism, is a form of isomerism in which molecules have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms (constitution), but differ in the three-dimensional orientations of their atoms in ...
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 ...
.
Rauwolscine is a
central nervous system
The central nervous system (CNS) is the part of the nervous system consisting primarily of the brain and spinal cord. The CNS is so named because the brain integrates the received information and coordinates and influences the activity of all par ...
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 ...
, a
local anesthetic
A local anesthetic (LA) is a medication that causes absence of pain sensation. In the context of surgery, a local anesthetic creates an absence of pain in a specific location of the body without a loss of consciousness, as opposed to a general an ...
and a vague
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 ...
.
Rauwolscine acts predominantly as a
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 ...
.
It has also been shown to function as a
5-HT1A receptor partial agonist
In pharmacology, partial agonists are drugs that bind to and activate a given receptor, but have only partial efficacy at the receptor relative to a full agonist. They may also be considered ligands which display both agonistic and antagonis ...
and
5-HT2A and
5-HT2B 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 ...
.
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 ...
*
Corynanthine
Corynanthine, also known as rauhimbine, is an alkaloid found in the ''Rauvolfia'' and '' Corynanthe'' (including ''Pausinystalia'') genera of plants. It is one of the two diastereoisomers of yohimbine, the other being rauwolscine. It is also rela ...
*
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
{{Serotonergics
Indoloquinolizines
Tryptamine alkaloids
Quinolizidine alkaloids
Alkaloids found in Rauvolfia
Alpha-2 blockers
5-HT1A agonists
5-HT2A antagonists
5-HT2B antagonists
Methyl esters