Rauwolscine
Encyclopedia
Rauwolscine, also known as isoyohimbine, α-yohimbine, and corynanthidine, is an alkaloid
found in various species within the genera Rauwolfia
and Pausinystalia
(formerly known as Corynanthe). It is a stereoisomer of yohimbine
. Rauwolscine is a central nervous system
stimulant
, a local anesthetic
and a vague aphrodisiac
.
Rauwolscine acts predominantly as a α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist
. It has also been shown to function as a 5-HT1A receptor
partial agonist
and 5-HT2A
and 5-HT2B receptor
antagonist
.
Alkaloid
Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Also some synthetic compounds of similar structure are attributed to alkaloids...
found in various species within the genera Rauwolfia
Rauwolfia
Rauvolfia is a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. The genus is named to honor Leonhard Rauwolf. The approximately 85 species in the genus can mainly be found in tropical regions...
and Pausinystalia
Pausinystalia
Pausinystalia, formerly known as Corynanthe is a largely African genus of plant in family Rubiaceae. At least one species in the genus contains a powerful alkaloid known as yohimbine used in some herbal remedies, that being Pausinystalia yohimbe...
(formerly known as Corynanthe). It is a stereoisomer of yohimbine
Yohimbine
Yohimbine is an alkaloid with stimulant and aphrodisiac effects found naturally in Pausinystalia yohimbe . It is also found naturally in Rauwolfia serpentina , Alchornea floribunda , along with several other active alkaloids...
. Rauwolscine is a central nervous system
Central nervous system
The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that integrates the information that it receives from, and coordinates the activity of, all parts of the bodies of bilaterian animals—that is, all multicellular animals except sponges and radially symmetric animals such as jellyfish...
stimulant
Stimulant
Stimulants are psychoactive drugs which induce temporary improvements in either mental or physical function or both. Examples of these kinds of effects may include enhanced alertness, wakefulness, and locomotion, among others...
, a local anesthetic
Local anesthetic
A local anesthetic is a drug that causes reversible local anesthesia, generally for the aim of having local analgesic effect, that is, inducing absence of pain sensation, although other local senses are often affected as well...
and a vague aphrodisiac
Aphrodisiac
An aphrodisiac is a substance that increases sexual desire. The name comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexuality and love. Throughout history, many foods, drinks, and behaviors have had a reputation for making sex more attainable and/or pleasurable...
.
Rauwolscine acts predominantly as a α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist
Receptor antagonist
A receptor antagonist is a type of receptor ligand or drug that does not provoke a biological response itself upon binding to a receptor, but blocks or dampens agonist-mediated responses...
. It has also been shown to function as a 5-HT1A receptor
5-HT1A receptor
The 5-HT1A receptor is a subtype of 5-HT receptor that binds the endogenous neurotransmitter serotonin . It is a G protein-coupled receptor that is coupled to Gi/Go and mediates inhibitory neurotransmission...
partial agonist
Partial agonist
Partial agonists bind and activate a given receptor, but have only partial efficacy at the receptor relative to a full agonist...
and 5-HT2A
5-HT2A receptor
The mammalian 5-HT2A receptor is a subtype of the 5-HT2 receptor that belongs to the serotonin receptor family and is a G protein-coupled receptor . This is the main excitatory receptor subtype among the GPCRs for serotonin , although 5-HT2A may also have an inhibitory effect on certain areas such...
and 5-HT2B receptor
5-HT2B receptor
5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2B, also known as HTR2B, is a 5-HT2 receptor, but also denotes the human gene encoding it.-Function:...
antagonist
Receptor antagonist
A receptor antagonist is a type of receptor ligand or drug that does not provoke a biological response itself upon binding to a receptor, but blocks or dampens agonist-mediated responses...
.