Pharmacological Properties of Indole Alkaloids from Alstonia Scholaris

Indole alkaloids isolated from Alstonia scholaris constitute a chemically diverse group of secondary metabolites that exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities. Structural variants such as scholarisine, echitamine and picrinine have been shown to interact with multiple molecular targets, yielding pronounced effects on cell proliferation, inflammatory cascades, lipid metabolism and microbial viability. Preclinical investigations have demonstrated cytotoxic and neuritogenic potential in neuronal models, anti-inflammatory action via modulation of cyclooxygenase pathways, and antiviral efficacy against enveloped respiratory pathogens. More recently, research has illuminated hepatoprotective and metabolic regulatory properties, in which indole alkaloid preparations attenuate lipid accumulation and improve biochemical indices in models of fatty liver disease. Extensive toxicological profiling in rodent and non-rodent species has established acceptable safety margins, with defined half-lethal doses (LD50) markedly exceeding therapeutic equivalents. A phase I study in healthy volunteers confirmed mild, transient adverse effects and a favourable tolerability profile. Taken together, these findings underpin the global significance of Alstonia scholaris indole alkaloids as candidate leads for respiratory, hepatic and metabolic disorders, and support ongoing efforts towards standardised botanical formulations and novel drug discovery.

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Pharmacological Properties of Indole Alkaloids from Alstonia Scholaris publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in pharmacological properties of indole alkaloids from alstonia scholaris across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Indole alkaloid: A class of naturally occurring compounds featuring an indole core, often with strong bioactivity against microbial, inflammatory or neoplastic processes.

Total alkaloid extract (TA): A mixture enriched for alkaloid constituents obtained from plant material, used in pharmacological and toxicological studies.

LD50: The dose of a substance that causes death in 50% of a test population, a standard measure of acute toxicity.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): A spectrum of liver disorders characterised by lipid accumulation in hepatocytes in the absence of significant alcohol consumption.

References

1. Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Indole Alkaloids from Leaves of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. in Mice and Rats. Natural Products and Bioprospecting (2020).
2. Acute and Sub-chronic Toxicity of Indole Alkaloids Extract from Leaves of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. in Beagle Dogs. Natural Products and Bioprospecting (2020).
3. The safety and tolerability of alkaloids from Alstonia scholaris leaves in healthy Chinese volunteers: a single-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase I clinical trial. Pharmaceutical Biology (2021).
4. Indole alkaloids of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. alleviated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice fed with high-fat diet. Natural Products and Bioprospecting (2022).
5. Anti-microbial Effects In Vitro and In Vivo of Alstonia scholaris. Natural Products and Bioprospecting (2021).