2. Academic Validation
  3. DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Arecoline

DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Arecoline

  • ACS Chem Neurosci. 2019 May 15;10(5):2176-2185. doi: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00711.
Andrey D Volgin 1,  Alim Bashirzade 1,  Tamara G Amstislavskaya 1,  Oleg A Yakovlev 2 3,  Konstantin A Demin 2 3,  Ying-Jui Ho 4,  Dongmei Wang 5,  Vadim A Shevyrin 6,  Dongni Yan 5,  Zhichong Tang 5,  Jingtao Wang 5,  Mengyao Wang 5,  Erik T Alpyshov 5,  Nazar Serikuly 5,  Edina A Wappler-Guzzetta 7,  Anton M Lakstygal 3 8,  Allan V Kalueff 5 6 9 10 7 11 12 8 13
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine , Novosibirsk 630117 , Russia.
  • 2 Institute of Experimental Medicine , Almazov National Medical Research Centre , St. Petersburg 194156 , Russia.
  • 3 Institute of Translational Biomedicine , St. Petersburg State University , St. Petersburg 199034 , Russia.
  • 4 Department of Psychology , Chung Shan Medical University , Taichung , Taiwan.
  • 5 School of Pharmacy , Southwest University , Chongqing 400700 , China.
  • 6 Ural Federal University , Ekaterinburg 620002 , Russia.
  • 7 ZENEREI Research Center , Slidell , Louisiana 70458 , United States.
  • 8 Russian Scientific Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies , Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation , St. Petersburg 197758 , Russia.
  • 9 The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC) , Slidell , Louisiana 70458 , United States.
  • 10 Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory , Ural Federal University , Ekaterinburg 620002 , Russia.
  • 11 Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Translational Biomedicine , St. Petersburg State University , St. Petersburg 199034 , Russia.
  • 12 Group of Bioscreening, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre , Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation , St. Petersburg 194156 , Russia.
  • 13 Laboratory of Translational Biopsychiatry , Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine , Novosibirsk 630117 , Russia.
PMID: 30664352 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00711
Abstract

Arecoline is a naturally occurring psychoactive alkaloid from areca (betel) nuts of the areca palm ( Areca catechu) endemic to South and Southeast Asia. A partial agonist of nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, arecoline evokes multiple effects on the central nervous system (CNS), including stimulation, alertness, elation, and anxiolysis. Like nicotine, arecoline also evokes addiction and withdrawal symptoms (upon discontinuation). The abuse of areca nuts is widespread, with over 600 million users globally. The importance of arecoline is further supported by its being the world's fourth most commonly used human psychoactive substance (after alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine). Here, we discuss neuropharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism of arecoline, as well as social and historical aspects of its use and abuse. Paralleling clinical findings, we also evaluate its effects in animal models and outline future clinical and preclinical CNS research in this field.

Keywords

Arecoline; alkaloid; animal models; clinical effects; nicotine-like action.

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