The Neuropharmacology of (-)-Stepholidine and its Potential Applications

Authors: Yang, Kechun; Jin, Guozhang; Wu, Jie

Source: Current Neuropharmacology, Volume 5, Number 4, December 2007 , pp. 289-294(6)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

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Abstract:

(-)-Stepholidine (SPD), a natural product isolated from the Chinese herb Stephania, possesses dopamine (DA) D1 partial agonistic and D2 antagonistic properties in the nigrostriatal and mesocorticolimbic DAergic pathways. These unique dual effects have suggested that SPD can effectively restore previously imbalanced functional linkage between D1 and D2 receptors under schizophrenic conditions, in which, SPD improves both the negative and positive symptoms of schizophrenia. SPD also relieves the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) when co-administered with Levodopa. Furthermore, SPD exhibits neuroprotective effects through an antioxidative mechanism and slows down the progression of neuronal degeneration in the substantia nigra (SN) of PD patients and/or animal models. Therefore, SPD is a novel, natural compound with potentially therapeutic roles in the treatment of schizophrenia and/or PD.

Keywords: Stepholidine; dopamine D1 receptor; dopamine D2 receptor; schizophrenia; Parkinson's disease

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157015907782793649

Publication date: 2007-12-01

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Current Neuropharmacology aims to provide current, timely and comprehensive reviews of all areas of neuropharmacology and related matters of neuroscience. The journal publishes reviews written by experts and leaders in the fields of molecular, cellular, and systems/behavioural aspects of neuropharmacology and neuroscience. The journal serves as a comprehensive, multidisciplinary expert forum for neuropharmacologists and neuroscientists.