Higenamine (Norcoclaurine, (+-)-Demethylcoclaurine), also known as Norcoclaurine HCl, is a non-selective β2 adrenoceptor agonist which is a chemical compound naturally occurring in a number of plants.
Higenamine is a potential β2-adrenoceptor agonist. As a potent cardiotonic and vasodilator, It is also an α1 antagonist and a weak α2 agonist[1]. Higenamine decreases the intracellular dopamine content dose-dependently and shows 55.2% inhibition of dopamine content in PC12 cells at a concentration of 2OM with 24h incubation. The IC50 value of higenamine for inhibiting dopamine biosynthesis in PC12 cells is 18.2 μM. Dopamine content is lowered and reaches minimal level at 12—24h after exposure to higenamine[2].
Higenamine can produce relaxation in tracheal muscle[1]. Higenamine has anti-thrombotic effects in both mouse acute thrombosis model and rat arterio-venous shunt (AV-shunt) models. The oral administration of higenamine (50 or 100 mg/kg) increases the recovery rates from the acute thrombotic challenge in mice and lowers the weight of thrombus formed inside the AV-shunt tube in rats[3].
[1] Bai G, et al. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2008, 29(10):1187-94. [2] Shin JS, et al. Planta Med. 1999, 65(5):452-5. [3] Yun-Choi HS, et al. Planta Med. 2001, 67(7):619-22.