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Planta Med 2006; 72(5): 470-473
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-916251
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Inhibition of [3 H]Citalopram Binding to the Rat Brain Serotonin Transporter by Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids

Esameldin E. Elgorashi1 , Gary I. Stafford1 , Anna K. Jäger2 , Johannes van Staden1
  • 1Research Center for Plant Growth and Development, School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
  • 2Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
Further Information

Publication History

Received: August 4, 2005

Accepted: October 25, 2005

Publication Date:
30 January 2006 (online)

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Abstract

Twenty-one Amaryllidaceae alkaloids isolated from different Amaryllidaceae species were investigated for their affinity to the serotonin reuptake transport protein and for GABAA-benzodiazepine receptor binding. Cherylline (21), crinamine (7), crinine (1), epibuphanisine (2), epivittatine (6), maritidine (11), O-methylmaritidine (12), powelline (3), 1-O-acetyllycorine (18) and tazettine (13) showed affinity to the serotonin reuptake transport protein. Cherylline (21) and epivittatine (6) yielded the highest activity among the group. No GABAA-benzodiazepine receptor binding activity was exhibited by the alkaloids tested.

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Professor J. van Staden

Research Center for Plant Growth and Development

School of Botany and Zoology

University of Natal Pietermaritzburg

Private Bag X01

Scottsville 3209

South Africa

Phone: +927-33-260-5130

Fax: +927-33-260-5897

Email: rcpgd@nu.ac.za