Alstonine as an Antipsychotic : Effects on Brain Amines and Metabolic Changes
Joint Authors
Okunji, Christopher O.
Piato, Ângelo L.
Flório, Jorge
Linck, Viviane M.
Herrmann, Ana P.
Iwu, Maurice M.
Figueiró, Micheli
Leal, Mirna B.
Elisabetsky, Elaine
Detanico, Bernardo C.
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2011, Issue 2011 (31 Dec. 2011), pp.1-7, 7 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2011-06-23
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
7
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Managing schizophrenia has never been a trivial matter.
Furthermore, while classical antipsychotics induce extrapyramidal side effects and hyperprolactinaemia, atypical antipsychotics lead to diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, and weight gain.
Moreover, even with newer drugs, a sizable proportion of patients do not show significant improvement.
Alstonine is an indole alkaloid identified as the major component of a plant-based remedy used in Nigeria to treat the mentally ill.
Alstonine presents a clear antipsychotic profile in rodents, apparently with differential effects in distinct dopaminergic pathways.
The aim of this study was to complement the antipsychotic profile of alstonine, verifying its effects on brain amines in mouse frontal cortex and striatum.
Additionally, we examined if alstonine induces some hormonal and metabolic changes common to antipsychotics.
HPLC data reveal that alstonine increases serotonergic transmission and increases intraneuronal dopamine catabolism.
In relation to possible side effects, preliminary data suggest that alstonine does not affect prolactin levels, does not induce gains in body weight, but prevents the expected fasting-induced decrease in glucose levels.
Overall, this study reinforces the proposal that alstonine is a potential innovative antipsychotic, and that a comprehensive understanding of its neurochemical basis may open new avenues to developing newer antipsychotic medications.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Linck, Viviane M.& Herrmann, Ana P.& Piato, Ângelo L.& Detanico, Bernardo C.& Figueiró, Micheli& Flório, Jorge…[et al.]. 2011. Alstonine as an Antipsychotic : Effects on Brain Amines and Metabolic Changes. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2011, no. 2011, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-470655
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Linck, Viviane M.…[et al.]. Alstonine as an Antipsychotic : Effects on Brain Amines and Metabolic Changes. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2011 (2011), pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-470655
American Medical Association (AMA)
Linck, Viviane M.& Herrmann, Ana P.& Piato, Ângelo L.& Detanico, Bernardo C.& Figueiró, Micheli& Flório, Jorge…[et al.]. Alstonine as an Antipsychotic : Effects on Brain Amines and Metabolic Changes. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011. Vol. 2011, no. 2011, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-470655
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-470655