Vasicinone Explained

Vasicinone is a quinazoline alkaloid. It shows bronchodilator action in vitro^[1] but bronchoconstrictor action in vivo.^[2] Vasicinone was shown to have an antianaphylactic action. It has been found within Peganum harmala.^[3]

Vasicinone has also been studied in combination with the related alkaloid vasicine. Both the alkaloids in combination (1:1) showed pronounced bronchodilatory activity in vivo and in vitro.^[4] Both alkaloids are also respiratory stimulants.^[4] Vasicine has a cardiac–depressant effect, while vasicinone is a weak cardiac stimulant; the effect can be normalized by combining the alkaloids.^{[4] [5]} Vasicine is reported to have a uterine stimulant effect.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Amin. A. H.. Mehta. D. R.. A Bronchodilator Alkaloid (Vasicinone) from Adhatoda vasica Nees. Nature. 184. 4695. 1959. 1317 . 0028-0836. 10.1038/1841317a0. 13793186. 1959Natur.184.1317A. free.
2. Mehta. D. R.. Naravane. J. S.. Desai. R. M.. Vasicinone. A Bronchodilator Principle from Adhatoda Vasica Nees (N. O. Acanthaceae). The Journal of Organic Chemistry. 28 . 2. 1963. 445–448. 0022-3263. 10.1021/jo01037a041.
3. Moloudizargari M, Mikaili P, Aghajanshakeri S, Asghari MH, Shayegh J . Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Peganum harmala and its main alkaloids . Pharmacogn Rev . 7 . 14 . 199–212 . July 2013 . 24347928 . 3841998 . 10.4103/0973-7847.120524 . free .
4. Avula . B. . Quantitative determination of vasicine and vasicinone in Adhatoda vasica by high performance capillary electrophoresis . Die Pharmazie . 63 . 1 . 2008 . 20–22 . 10.1691/ph.2008.7175 . 18271297 . etal.
5. Rajani. M. Soni. S. Anandjiwala. Sheetal. Patel. G. Validation of different methods of preparation of Adhatoda vasica leaf juice by quantification of total alkaloids and vasicine. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 70. 1. 2008. 36–42. 0250-474X. 10.4103/0250-474X.40329. 2852058. 20390078. free.