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 simila ...

constituent of ''

Sceletium tortuosum Sceletium tortuosum is a succulent plant commonly found in South Africa, which is also known as Kanna, Channa, Kougoed (Kauwgoed/ 'kougoed', prepared from 'fermenting' ''S. tortuosum'')—which literally means, 'chew(able) things' or 'something ...

'' (Kanna) and minor constituent of Lampranthus aureus and Lampranthus spectabilis Similar to modern synthetic

antidepressants Antidepressants are a class of medication used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, chronic pain conditions, and to help manage addictions. Common side-effects of antidepressants include dry mouth, weight gain, dizziness, hea ...

, it is a potent (IC₅₀ < 1 μM) selective inhibitor of the

serotonin transporter The serotonin transporter (SERT or 5-HTT) also known as the sodium-dependent serotonin transporter and solute carrier family 6 member 4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC6A4 gene. SERT is a type of monoamine transporter protein tha ...

(SERT) (that is, a

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of drugs that are typically used as antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and other psychological conditions. SSRIs increase the extracellul ...

; K_i = 27 nM) and also a

phosphodiesterase 4 At least four types of the enzyme phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) are known: * PDE4A * PDE4B * PDE4C * PDE4D See also * 3',5'-cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase * Phosphodiesterase A phosphodiesterase (PDE) is an enzyme that breaks a phosphodiester bond ...

(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).

References

{{Reflist Serotonin PDE4 inhibitors Alkaloids