Rhynchophylline
Rhynchophylline
Chemical compound
Rhynchophylline is an alkaloid found in certain Uncaria species (Rubiaceae), notably Uncaria rhynchophylla[1] and Uncaria tomentosa.[2] It also occurs in the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) and Mitragyna tubulosa,[3] a tree native to Thailand. Chemically, it is related to the alkaloid mitragynine.
Rhynchophylline is a non-competitive NMDA antagonist (IC50 = 43.2 μM) and a calcium channel blocker.[4][5]
Uncaria species have had a variety of uses in traditional herbal medicine, such as for lightheadedness, convulsions, numbness, and hypertension.[6] These uses have been associated with the presence of rhynchophylline and have encouraged its investigation as a drug candidate for several cardiovascular and central nervous system diseases; however, few clinically relevant studies have been conducted.[6]