Pherines, also known as vomeropherines, are odorless synthetic neuroactive steroids that engage nasal chemosensory receptors and induce dose-dependent and reversible pharmacological and behavioral effects. Pherines target human chemosensory receptors and possibly other

receptors Receptor may refer to: *Sensory receptor, in physiology, any structure which, on receiving environmental stimuli, produces an informative nerve impulse *Receptor (biochemistry), in biochemistry, a protein molecule that receives and responds to a n ...

such as the GABA_A receptor and influence

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 p ...

activity. Currently known pherine molecules are being developed for the treatment of various medical conditions. Pherines specifically target nasal chemosensory cells and mediate selective modulation of brain areas like the limbic

amygdala The amygdala (; plural: amygdalae or amygdalas; also '; Latin from Greek, , ', 'almond', 'tonsil') is one of two almond-shaped clusters of nuclei located deep and medially within the temporal lobes of the brain's cerebrum in complex verte ...

hypothalamus The hypothalamus () is a part of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions. One of the most important functions is to link the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. The hypothalamu ...

hippocampus The hippocampus (via Latin from Greek , ' seahorse') is a major component of the brain of humans and other vertebrates. Humans and other mammals have two hippocampi, one in each side of the brain. The hippocampus is part of the limbic system, ...

, and

prefrontal cortex In mammalian brain anatomy, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) covers the front part of the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex. The PFC contains the Brodmann areas BA8, BA9, BA10, BA11, BA12, BA13, BA14, BA24, BA25, BA32, BA44, BA45, BA46 ...

. In clinical trials, pherines formulated for intranasal administration in ultra low doses (nanogram to low microgram quantities) showed rapid onset of efficacy (10–15 minutes) and an excellent safety and tolerability profile. Pherines are also minimally invasive (do not require systemic absorption) to exert their pharmacological effects and can be used on demand Pherines described in the scientific literature include

PH10 pH10 is an electronica jungle/drum n bass group currently based in Denver, Colorado and has been churning out records since the late 1990s. Most notably, pH10 was honored as the First Place winner of Jive Magazine's International Songwriting Compet ...

, PH15, PH80, PH284 and fasedienol (PH94B, Aloradine, or 4,16-androstadien-3β-ol, a

positional isomer In chemistry, a structural isomer (or constitutional isomer in the IUPAC nomenclature) of a compound is another compound whose molecule has the same number of atoms of each element, but with logically distinct bonds between them. The term meta ...

androstadienol Androstadienol, or androsta-5,16-dien-3β-ol, is a 16-androstene class endogenous steroid, pheromone, and chemical intermediate to several other pheromones that is found in the sweat of both men and women. Androstadienol and androstadienone ...

). Pherines are chemically and pharmacologically different from natural pheromones including

androstadienone Androstadienone, or androsta-4,16-dien-3-one, is a 16-androstene class endogenous steroid that has been described as having potent pheromone-like activities in humans. The compound is synthesized from androstadienol by 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydr ...

, androstenone,

androstenol Androstenol, also known as 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol (shortened to 3α,5α-androstenol or 3α-androstenol), is a 16-androstene class steroidal pheromone and neurosteroid in humans and other mammals, notably pigs. It possesses a characteristic musk ...

androsterone Androsterone, or 3α-hydroxy-5α-androstan-17-one, is an endogenous steroid hormone, neurosteroid, and putative pheromone. It is a weak androgen with a potency that is approximately 1/7 that of testosterone. Androsterone is a metabolite of test ...

, and

estratetraenol Estratetraenol, also known as estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraen-3-ol, is an endogenous steroid found in women that has been described as having pheromone-like activities in primates, including humans. Estratetraenol is synthesized from androstadienone ...

Examples of pherines

* Fasedienol (PH94B; Aloradine; 4,16-androstadien-3β-ol) is an investigational new drug proposed as an indication for the acute treatment of generalized

social anxiety disorder Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is an anxiety disorder characterized by sentiments of fear and anxiety in social situations, causing considerable distress and impaired ability to function in at least some aspects o ...

is being developed as an indication for the acute treatment of depression. * PH80. In clinical trials this pherine molecule showed efficacy to relieve premenstrual symptoms and it is also being studied for its beneficial effect to reduce menopausal hot flashes. * PH15 is in early stage development for the treatment of

cognitive impairment Cognitive deficit is an inclusive term to describe any characteristic that acts as a barrier to the cognition process. The term may describe * deficits in overall intelligence (as with intellectual disabilities), * specific and restricted defici ...

References

{{Use dmy dates, date=March 2018 Pherines Steroids

Examples of pherines

See also

References