An Overview of Alkaloids Derived from Tryptophan and Their Potential Antidepressant Action
Maria Emanuelle Damazio Lima, Isian Santos da Silva, Mariana de Oliveira Leal Desmarais, Thais Cardoso de Oliveira, Davyson de Lima Moreira, Alessandra L. Valverde
Revista Virtual de Química 2021 DOI: 10.21577/1984-6835.20210055 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Antidepressant Action physics Tryptophan Pharmacology Biochemistry Amino acid |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Tryptophan-derived alkaloids with indole rings have antidepressant potential through serotonin receptor agonism or monoamine oxidase inhibition. |
Abstract
Most of the new developed drugs are natural or analogous products, including those that act on the Central Nervous System. The search for new drugs for the treatment of depression is increasing, in view of the high worldwide incidence of this mental disorder. In this context, tryptophan derivatives have an antidepressant effect due to the presence of indole rings, which give them a similarity to serotonin. Thus, this work presents a panorama based on 88 scientific articles on alkaloids derived from tryptophan with antidepressant action. In this research, evidence was gathered about the activity and obtaining of 37 alkaloids derived from tryptophan, including psilocin, Lysergic acid diethylamide and ibogaine. These compounds are potential candidates for the treatment of depressive disorders and studies suggest that the mechanism of action is in the serotonin receptor agonist and / or inhibition of the monoaminoxidase enzyme.