Alstonine

 ( Indoloquinolizines ) 

Alstonine is a pentacyclic alkaloid and putative antipsychotic constituent of various plant species including Alstonia boonei, Catharanthus roseus, Picralima nitida, Rauvolfia afra and Rauvolfia vomitoria. In preclinical studies alstonine attenuates MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion, working memory deficit and social withdrawal. It also possesses anxiolytic-like effects in preclinical studies, attenuates amphetamine-induced lethality and stereotypy as well as apomorphine-induced stereotypy, and attenuates haloperidol-induced catalepsy. These effects appear to be mediated by stimulation of the 5-HT_2C receptor.

In addition, alstonine, similarly to clozapine, indirectly inhibits the reuptake of glutamate in hippocampus slices. Unlike clozapine however, the effect of which is abolished by the D₂ receptor agonist apomorphine, alstonine requires 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_2C receptors to produce this effect, as it is abolished by antagonists of these receptors. Also unlike clozapine, alstonine lacks convulsant activity in mice.

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See also

• Ajmalicine
• Corynanthine
• Deserpidine
• Mitragynine
• Rauwolscine
• Spegatrine
• Reserpine
• Rescinnamine
• Yohimbine

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