ABSTRACT
Harmine is isolated from the seeds of the medicinal plant, Peganum harmala L., and has been used for thousands of years in the Middle East and China. Harmine has many pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, and antitumor activities. Moreover, harmine exhibits insecticidal, antiviral, and antibacterial effects. Harmine derivatives exhibit pharmacological effects similar to those of harmine, but with better antitumor activity and low neurotoxicity. Many studies have been conducted on the pharmacological activities of harmine and harmine derivatives. This article reviews the pharmacological effects and associated mechanisms of harmine. In addition, the structure-activity relationship of harmine derivatives has been summarized.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology , Harmine/pharmacology , Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Peganum , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacokinetics , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacokinetics , Harmine/analogs & derivatives , Harmine/isolation & purification , Harmine/pharmacokinetics , Humans , Hypoglycemic Agents/isolation & purification , Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacokinetics , Molecular Structure , Neuroprotective Agents/isolation & purification , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacokinetics , Peganum/chemistry , Seeds , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
Paeonia suffruticosa possesses various medicinal benefits and has been used extensively in traditional oriental medicine for thousands of years. Paeonol is the main component isolated from the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa. The pharmacological effects of Paeonia suffruticosa are mostly attributed to paeonol. Paeonol injection has been successfully applied in China for nearly 50â¯years for inflammation/pain-related indications. Currently, the dosage forms of paeonol approved by China Food and Drug Administration include tablet, injection, and external preparations such as ointment and adhesive plaster. So far, the clinical applications of paeonol are mainly focusing on the anti-inflammatory activity. Studies of other pharmacological activities of paeonol are developing rapidly, and which may play an important role in the future. Besides, substantial mechanisms of pharmacological action of paeonol have been clarified in recent years. In this review, we summarize the pharmacological effects anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-tumor, anti-cardiovascular diseases and associated mechanisms of action of paeonol up to date.