Arecaidine propargyl ester is an agonist of M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs).1 It selectively binds to M2 over M1, M3, M4, and M5 mAChRs in CHO cells expressing the human receptors (Kis = 0.0871, 1.23, 0.851, 0.977, and 0.933 µM, respectively). Arecaidine propargyl ester induces contractions in isolated guinea pig atrium (pD2 = 8.67). It induces apoptosis and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in U87 and U251 glioblastoma cells when used at a concentration of 100 µM.2 Arecaidine propargyl ester decreases mean arterial blood pressure in normotensive cats (ED25 = 1.9 nmol/kg).3 It is toxic to house flies (Musca) when administered at a dose of 75 µg/fly.4
1.Scapecchi, S., Matucci, R., Bellucci, C., et al.Highly chiral muscarinic ligands: the discovery of (2S,2’R,3’S,5’R)-1-methyl-2-(2-methyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)pyrrolidine 3-sulfoxide methyl iodide, a potent, functionally selective, M2 partial agonistJ. Med. Chem.49(6)1925-1931(2006) 2.Di Bari, M., Tombolillo, B., Conte, C., et al.Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects mediated by M2 muscarinic receptor activation in human glioblastoma cellsNeurochem. Int.90261-270(2015) 3.Porsius, A.J., and Van Zwieten, P.A.Central action of some cholinergic drugs (arecaidine esters) and nicotine on blood pressure and heart rate of catsProg. Brain Res.47131-135(1977) 4.Honda, H., Tomizawa, M., and Casida, J.E.Insect muscarinic acetylcholine receptor: Pharmacological and toxicological profiles of antagonists and agonistsJ. Agric. Food Chem.55(6)2276-2281(2007)