Harmane

Harmane is a benzodiazepine receptor inhibitor (IC50=7 μM), with IC50 values for mACh, Opioid Receptor, MAO-A/B, and α2-adrenergic receptor of 24 μM, 2.8 μM, 0.5 μM, 5 μM, and 18 μM, respectively. Harmane inhibits the I1 imidazoline receptor (IC50 = 30 nM) to reduce blood pressure and has antidepressant, anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant, and analgesic effects. Harmane inhibits dopamine biosynthesis by decreasing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity and enhancing L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. Additionally, Harmane can increase the mutagenic effect induced by 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF)[1][2][3][4][5][6].

[1]Musgrave IF, et, al. Harmane produces hypotension following microinjection into the RVLM: possible role of I(1)-imidazoline receptors. Br J Pharmacol. 2000 Mar;129(6):1057-9.|[2]Glover V, et, al. β-Carbolines as selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors:In vivo implications|[3]Umezawa K, et, al. Comutagenic effect of norharman and harman with 2-acetylaminofluorene derivatives. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1978 Feb;75(2):928-30.|[4]W E Müller, et al. On the neuropharmacology of harmane and other beta-carbolines. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1981 May;14(5):693-9.|[5]E D Louis, et al. Harmane induces anxiolysis and antidepressant-like effects in rats. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2005 Aug 9;65(3):391-6.|[6]Yoo Jung Yang, et al. Effects of harman and norharman on dopamine biosynthesis and L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. Eur J Pharmacol. 2008 Jun 10;587(1-3):57-64.