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Isoquinolines and Beta-Carbolines as Neurotoxins and Neuroprotectants: A Comprehensive Exploration

Junichiro Tanizaki

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Published in Isoquinolines And Beta Carbolines As Neurotoxins And Neuroprotectants: New Vistas In Parkinson S Disease Therapy (Current Topics In Neurotoxicity 1)

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Isoquinolines and beta-carbolines are two classes of alkaloids that have been extensively studied for their neurotoxic and neuroprotective properties. These compounds are found in a variety of plants and have been shown to have a wide range of effects on the nervous system.

Isoquinolines And Beta-Carbolines As Neurotoxins And Neuroprotectants: New Vistas In Parkinson's Disease Therapy (Current Topics in Neurotoxicity Book 1)

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Isoquinolines

Isoquinolines are a class of alkaloids that are characterized by their fused benzene and pyridine rings. These compounds are found in a variety of plants, including poppies, corydalis, and fumitory. Isoquinolines have been shown to have a variety of effects on the nervous system, including:

Neurotoxicity: Isoquinolines can be toxic to neurons, causing cell death and damage. This neurotoxicity is thought to be due to the ability of isoquinolines to interfere with the function of mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles of cells.
Neuroprotection: Isoquinolines have also been shown to have neuroprotective effects, protecting neurons from damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation. This neuroprotection is thought to be due to the ability of isoquinolines to scavenge free radicals and inhibit the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes.

Potential Therapeutic Applications of Isoquinolines

The neurotoxic and neuroprotective properties of isoquinolines have led to interest in the potential therapeutic applications of these compounds. Isoquinolines have been shown to be effective in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease. Clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate the safety and efficacy of isoquinolines in the treatment of these diseases.

Beta-Carbolines

Beta-carbolines are a class of alkaloids that are characterized by their fused pyridine and indole rings. These compounds are found in a variety of plants, including passionflower, yohimbine, and harmaline. Beta-carbolines have been shown to have a variety of effects on the nervous system, including:

Neurotoxicity: Beta-carbolines can be toxic to neurons, causing cell death and damage. This neurotoxicity is thought to be due to the ability of beta-carbolines to interfere with the function of mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles of cells.
Neuroprotection: Beta-carbolines have also been shown to have neuroprotective effects, protecting neurons from damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation. This neuroprotection is thought to be due to the ability of beta-carbolines to scavenge free radicals and inhibit the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes.
Anxiolytic effects: Beta-carbolines have been shown to have anxiolytic effects in animal models. This anxiolytic effect is thought to be due to the ability of beta-carbolines to bind to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain.

Potential Therapeutic Applications of Beta-Carbolines

The neurotoxic, neuroprotective, and anxiolytic properties of beta-carbolines have led to interest in the potential therapeutic applications of these compounds. Beta-carbolines have been shown to be effective in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease. Beta-carbolines have also been shown to be effective in animal models of anxiety disFree Downloads. Clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate the safety and efficacy of beta-carbolines in the treatment of these diseases.

Isoquinolines and beta-carbolines are two classes of alkaloids that have been extensively studied for their neurotoxic and neuroprotective properties. These compounds have a wide range of effects on the nervous system and have potential therapeutic applications in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and anxiety disFree Downloads. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action of these compounds and to develop safe and effective therapies for the treatment of neurological disFree Downloads.

References

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Dillon GM, Francis SM. Beta-carboline alkaloids as potential therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2005;12(1):209-221.
Khafagi I, El-Sherbeeny A, Hussein M. Isoquinoline alkaloids: Chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutic applications. Molecules. 2021;26(18):5456.
Dai Y, Wang P, Wang S. Harmaline and other beta-carbolines from Peganum harmala and their pharmacological activities. Molecules. 2017;22(7):1164.
Hill RL, Laskin JD, Kleinman MH, et al. Isoquinolines in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2001;296(1):351-357.
Yang Y, Wang X, Chen J, et al. Beta-carbolines in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. 2017;59(2):427-439.
Zai SY, Li XH, Li JH, et al. Harmaline protects against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced

Isoquinolines And Beta-Carbolines As Neurotoxins And Neuroprotectants: New Vistas In Parkinson's Disease Therapy (Current Topics in Neurotoxicity Book 1)

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