1.
Sources and pharmacology
Palmatine, along with Berberine and a few others, are compounds known as 'Protoberberine alkaloids' found in various plant species.
2.
Neurology
Palmatine has been shown to enhance the efficacy of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in neurons, by increasing the output of neurite from PC12 neurons exposed to an NGF stimuli.[1] These effects were also seen with Berberine and coptisine, with berberine being more effective than coptisine being more effective than palmatine. Protoberberine compounds also suppress catecholamine synthesis in neurons[2][3] with palmatine having a lower IC50 value. These suppressive effects are more potent with palmatine, and at least in regards to dopamine are not seen with coptisine.[4] These effects were seen through direction inhibition of the tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme.
References
- ^Shigeta K, Ootaki K, Tatemoto H, Nakanishi T, Inada A, Muto NPotentiation of nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells by a Coptidis Rhizoma extract and protoberberine alkaloidsBiosci Biotechnol Biochem.(2002 Nov)
- ^Lee MK, Kim HSInhibitory effects of protoberberine alkaloids from the roots of Coptis japonica on catecholamine biosynthesis in PC12 cellsPlanta Med.(1996 Feb)
- ^Hsieh MT, Su SH, Tsai HY, Peng WH, Hsieh CC, Chen CFEffects of palmatine on motor activity and the concentration of central monoamines and its metabolites in ratsJpn J Pharmacol.(1993 Jan)
- ^Shin JS, Kim EI, Kai M, Lee MKInhibition of dopamine biosynthesis by protoberberine alkaloids in PC12 cellsNeurochem Res.(2000 Mar)