Pharmacological Effects of Dauricine and Alkaloids in Cancer and Neurological Disorders

Dauricine is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Menispermum dauricum that exhibits potent effects in oncology and neurology. In cancer models, dauricine and related alkaloids induce apoptosis, arrest the cell cycle at G0/G1 and modulate key survival pathways such as PI3K/AKT and MAPK, leading to reduced proliferation and enhanced chemosensitivity in lung, breast and liver carcinoma cell lines. These compounds also suppress inflammatory mediators by inhibiting NF-κB signalling and diminish oxidative stress through upregulation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. In neurological contexts, phenolic alkaloids attenuate excitotoxicity by regulating glutamate transporters GLT-1 and EAAC1, lower reactive oxygen species generation and preserve neuronal viability in models of cerebral ischaemia. Pharmacokinetic investigations, employing sensitive chromatographic techniques, have refined bioavailability and dosing parameters for 6-O-demethylmenisporphine, supporting its progression towards clinical evaluation. The dual anti-cancer and neuroprotective actions of dauricine and allied alkaloids underscore their potential as multi-target agents in the management of malignancy and neurodegeneration.

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Pharmacological Effects of Dauricine and Alkaloids in Cancer and Neurological Disorders publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in pharmacological effects of dauricine and alkaloids in cancer and neurological disorders across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Dauricine: Bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid from Menispermum dauricum with cytotoxic and neuroprotective properties.

Alkaloids: Nitrogenous plant secondary metabolites often exhibiting pharmacological activity.

Apoptosis: Programmed cell death involving caspase activation and organised cellular dismantling.

PI3K/AKT pathway: Intracellular signalling cascade that regulates cell growth, survival and metabolism.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK): Family of enzymes transmitting extracellular signals to cellular responses.

Glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1): Astrocytic protein responsible for clearing extracellular glutamate to prevent excitotoxicity.

Excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1): Neuronal transporter involved in glutamate uptake and maintenance of redox balance.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive oxygen-derived molecules that can induce oxidative stress and cellular damage.

References

1. Research Progress on Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Menispermi Rhizoma. Molecules (2023).
2. Phenolic Alkaloids from Menispermum dauricum Rhizome Protect against Brain Ischemia Injury via Regulation of GLT-1, EAAC1 and ROS Generation. Molecules (2012).
3. A sensitive HPLC-FLD method for the quantification of 6-O-demethylmenisporphine isolated from Menispermi Rhizoma in rat plasma. Journal of Analytical Science and Technology (2021).