Epinephrine
Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is both a neurotransmitter and a hormone. It plays an important role in your body’s “fight-or-flight” response. It’s also used as a medication to treat many life-threatening conditions. Epinephrine is a catecholamine, a sympathomimetic monoamine derived from the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine. It is the active sympathomimetic hormone secreted from the adrenal medulla in most species. It stimulates both the alpha- and beta- adrenergic systems, causes systemic vasoconstriction and gastrointestinal relaxation, stimulates the heart, and dilates bronchi and cerebral vessels. It is used in asthma and cardiac failure and to delay absorption of local anesthetics. Epinephrine also constricts arterioles in the skin and gut while dilating arterioles in leg muscles. It elevates the blood sugar level by increasing hydrolysis of glycogen to glucose in the liver, and at the same time begins the breakdown of lipids in adipocytes. Epinephrine has a suppressive effect on the immune system. [HMDB] Epinephrine, also called adrenaline, is both a hormone and a neurotransmitter. As a hormone, it’s made and released by your adrenal glands, which are hat-shaped glands that sit on top of each kidney. As a central nervous system neurotransmitter, it’s a chemical messenger that helps transmit nerve signals across nerve endings to another nerve cell, muscle cell or gland cell. Epinephrine is part of your sympathetic nervous system, which is part of your body’s emergency response system to danger — the “fight-or-flight” response. Medically, the flight-or-flight response is known as the acute stress response. Epinephrine is also called a catecholamine, as are norepinephrine and dopamine. They’re given this name because of a certain molecule in its structure. As a hormone, epinephrine is made from norepinephrine inside of your adrenal gland. As a neurotransmitter, epinephrine plays a small role. Only a small amount is produced in your nerves. It plays a role in metabolism, attention, focus, panic and excitement. Abnormal levels are linked to sleep disorders, anxiety, hypertension and lowered immunity. Epinephrine’s major action is in its role as a hormone. Epinephrine is released by your adrenal glands in response to stress. This reaction causes a number of changes in your body and is known as the fight-or-flight response.
Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine is the precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the adrenal medulla and is a widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the principal transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers and of the diffuse projection system in the brain arising from the locus ceruleus. It is also found in plants and is used pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic. Norepinephrine is elevated in the urine of people who consume bananas. Norepinephrine is also a microbial metabolite; urinary noradrenaline is produced by Escherichia, Bacillus, and Saccharomyces (PMID: 24621061). Norepinephrine is found in alcoholic beverages, banana peels and pulp (Musa paradisiaca), red plum fruit (Prunus domestica), orange pulp (Citrus sinensis), potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum), and whole purslane (Portulaca oleracea). P. oleracea is the richest of these sources. Norepinephrine has also been identified as a uremic toxin according to the European Uremic Toxin Working Group (PMID: 22626821). Present in banana peel and pulp (Musa paradisiaca), red plum fruit (Prunus domestica), orange pulp (Citrus sinensis), potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum) and whole purslane (Portulaca oleracea). P. oleracea is the richest of these sources. xi-Norepinephrine is found in many foods, some of which are potato, green vegetables, alcoholic beverages, and fruits.
Metanephrine
Metanephrine is a metabolite of epinephrine created by action of catechol O-methyltransferase on epinephrine. Technically it is a product of epinephrine O-methylation. It is a commonly occurring, pharmacologically and physiologically inactive metabolite of epinephrine. The measurement of plasma free metanephrines is considered to be the best tool in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, a rare kind of adrenal medullary neoplasm. In adrenal chromaffin cells, leakage of norepinephrine and epinephrine from storage granules leads to substantial intracellular production of the O-methylated metabolite metanephrine. In fact, the adrenals constitute the single largest source out of any organ system including the liver for circulating metanephrine. In humans, about 93 percent of circulating metanephrine is derived from catecholamines metabolized within adrenal chromaffin cells. (PMID 15317907). Metanephrine is a metabolite of epinephrine created by action of catechol O-methyltransferase on epinephrine. Technically it is a product of epinephrine O-methylation. It is a commonly occurring, pharmacologically and physiologically inactive metabolite of epinephrine. The measurement of plasma free metanephrines is considered to be the best tool in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, a rare kind of adrenal medullary neoplasm.
Cocaine
Cocaine, also known as coke, is an alkaloid ester obtained from the leaves of the coca plant (PMID: 20857618). It is a weakly alkaline compound and can therefore combine with acidic compounds to form white salts or powders (which is how it is typically sold and consumed). Cocaine is a strong stimulant that is most frequently used as a recreational drug. It is the second most frequently used illegal drug globally, after cannabis. The stimulant and hunger suppression properties of cocaine and coca leaf extracts have been known for thousands of years by indigenous groups in central and South America. The coca leaf was, and still is, chewed almost universally by some indigenous communities. Cocaine acts by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This inhibition leads to a number of mental and physical effects that may include loss of contact with reality, an intense feeling of happiness, periods of agitation, along with a rapid heart rate, sweating, and dialated pupils. Cocaine is highly addictive due to its effect on the reward pathway in the brain (PMID: 22856655). Cocaine addiction occurs through overexpression of the FosB protein in the nucleus accumbens of the brain, which results in altered transcriptional regulation in neurons within the nucleus accumbens. Cocaine is harmful. Its use increases the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, lung problems (in those who smoke it), blood infections, and sudden cardiac death. Medically, cocaine is infrequently used as a local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor to cause loss of feeling or numbness before certain medical procedures (e.g., biopsy, stitches, wound cleaning) (PMID: 28956316). Topical cocaine is occasionally used as a local numbing agent to help with painful procedures in the mouth or nose. Cocaine is now predominantly used for nasal and lacrimal duct surgery. It works quickly to numb certain areas of the body (e.g., nose, ear, or throat) about 1-2 minutes after application. Cocaine functions as an anesthesia by reversibly binding to and inactivating sodium channels, thereby inhibiting excitation of nerve endings or by blocking conduction in peripheral nerves. Cocaine and its major metabolites are only found in individuals that have used or taken this drug. D018377 - Neurotransmitter Agents > D014179 - Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors > D018765 - Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors D002491 - Central Nervous System Agents > D002492 - Central Nervous System Depressants > D000777 - Anesthetics R - Respiratory system > R02 - Throat preparations > R02A - Throat preparations > R02AD - Anesthetics, local S - Sensory organs > S02 - Otologicals > S02D - Other otologicals > S02DA - Analgesics and anesthetics N - Nervous system > N01 - Anesthetics > N01B - Anesthetics, local > N01BC - Esters of benzoic acid S - Sensory organs > S01 - Ophthalmologicals > S01H - Local anesthetics > S01HA - Local anesthetics D018373 - Peripheral Nervous System Agents > D018689 - Sensory System Agents D002317 - Cardiovascular Agents > D014662 - Vasoconstrictor Agents C78272 - Agent Affecting Nervous System > C47795 - CNS Stimulant D018377 - Neurotransmitter Agents > D015259 - Dopamine Agents CONFIDENCE standard compound; EAWAG_UCHEM_ID 2817 EAWAG_UCHEM_ID 2817; CONFIDENCE standard compound CONFIDENCE standard compound; INTERNAL_ID 1619 D049990 - Membrane Transport Modulators
Normetanephrine
Normetanephrine, also known as normetadrenaline or N111, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as methoxyphenols. Methoxyphenols are compounds containing a methoxy group attached to the benzene ring of a phenol moiety. Normetanephrine is a solid that is soluble in water. Normetanephrine is a metabolite of norepinephrine created by action of catechol-O-methyl transferase on norepinephrine. Within humans, normetanephrine participates in a number of enzymatic reactions. In particular, normetanephrine can be converted into 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycolaldehyde through its interaction with the enzyme amine oxidase [flavin-containing] A. It is also involved in the metabolic disorder called transient tyrosinemia of the newborn. This compound is excreted in the urine and is found in certain tissues. It is a marker for catecholamine-secreting tumors such as pheochromocytoma (PMID: 30538672). A methylated metabolite of norepinephrine that is excreted in the urine and found in certain tissues. It is a marker for tumors. [HMDB]
N-Methyltyramine
N-methyltyramine (NMT) is a phenolic amine. NMT is a potent stimulant of gastrin release present in alcoholic beverages produced by alcoholic fermentation, but not by distillation (i.e.: beer.). NMT is well absorbed in the small intestine, especially in the duodenum and jejunum. NMT is metabolized in the liver (the site of first-pass metabolism), but not in the small-intestinal mucosa. NMT is occasionally present in the stools of children and infants. Satisfactory results have been obtained in treating infective shock with injection of natural Fructus Aurantii immaturus (nat-FAI); the anti-shock effective compositions in FAI have been proved to be synephrine and NMT. (PMID: 10772638, 2570680). Present in germinating barley roots but not dormant grainsand is also present in dormant sawa millet seed hulls, but not hulled seeds. Alkaloid from prosso millet (Panicum miliaceum)
Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine (commonly abbreviated as PSE) is a sympathomimetic amine commonly used as a decongestant. The salts pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and pseudoephedrine sulfate are found in many over-the-counter preparations either as single ingredient preparations, or more commonly in combination with antihistamines, paracetamol and/or ibuprofen. Consumers often refer to it by a product which contains pseudoephedrine, such as Sudafed, the trademark for a common brand of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride in North America; Pseudoephedrine is a phenethylamine, and an isomer of ephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) of the (1S,2S)- diastereomer of ephedrine (which has 1R,2S- configuration). Other names are (+)-pseudoephedrine and D-pseudoephedrine. (Reynolds, 1989) (-)-(1R,2R)-Pseudoephedrine is not used clinically, since it is associated with greater central nervous system (CNS) stimulatory effects. (+)-(1S,2S)-Pseudoephedrine is a less-potent CNS stimulant, yet it retains its efficacy as a decongestant. -- Wikipedia; Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine - that is, its principal mechanism of action relies on its indirect action on the adrenergic receptor system. While it may have weak agonist activity at adrenergic receptors, the principal mechanism is to displace noradrenaline from storage vesicles in presynaptic neurons. The displaced noradrenaline is released into the neuronal synapse where it is free to activate the aforementioned postsynaptic adrenergic receptors. -- Wikipedia; Pseudoephedrine is a phenethylamine, and an isomer of ephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) of the (1S,2S)- diastereomer of ephedrine (which has 1R,2S- configuration). Other names are (+)-pseudoephedrine and D-pseudoephedrine (Reynolds, 1989). The enantiomer (-)-(1R,2R)-Pseudoephedrine has fewer side-effects, fewer central nervous system (CNS) stimulatory effects, does not reduce to d-methamphetamine, yet retains its efficacy as a decongestant.[citation needed] However, the patent holder for (-)-Pseudoephedrine (Pfizer/Warner-Lambert) has not yet sought or received government approval for its sale to the public.(US Patent 6,495,529); Treatment for urinary incontinence is an unlabeled use for these medications. Unlabeled use means doctors can use the medication to treat a condition other than that for which it was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These medications are approved by the FDA for the treatment of nasal congestion caused by colds or allergies. However it has also been succesful in treating stress incontinence by increasing the pressure (tension) exerted by the muscles of the bladder neck and the urethra, which helps retain the urine within the bladder; An alpha and beta adrenergic agonist that may also enhance release of norepinephrine. It has been used in the treatment of several disorders including asthma, heart failure, rhinitis, and urinary incontinence, and for its central nervous system stimulatory effects in the treatment of narcolepsy and depression. It has become less extensively used with the advent of more selective agonists; Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine commonly used as a decongestant. The salts pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and pseudoephedrine sulfate are found in many over-the-counter preparations either as single-ingredient preparations, or more commonly in combination with antihistamines, paracetamol and/or ibuprofen. It is often referred to by consumers as Sudafed, which is the trademark for a common brand of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride. -- Wikipedia; Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine - that is, its principal mechanism of action relies on its indirect action on the adrenergic receptor system. While it may have weak agonist activity at alpha and beta adrenergic receptors, the principal mechanism is to displace noradrenaline from storage vesicles in presynaptic neurons. The displaced noradrenaline is re... Pseudoephedrine is a member of the class of phenylethanolamines that is (1S)-2-(methylamino)-1-phenylethan-1-ol in which the pro-S hydrogen at position 2 is replaced by a methyl group. It has a role as a sympathomimetic agent, an anti-asthmatic drug, a bronchodilator agent, a vasoconstrictor agent, a central nervous system drug, a nasal decongestant, a xenobiotic and a plant metabolite. It is a secondary alcohol, a secondary amino compound and a member of phenylethanolamines. It is a conjugate base of a pseudoephedrine(1+). Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine chemical classes. It may be used as a nasal/sinus decongestant, as a stimulant, or as a wakefulness-promoting agent in higher doses. It was first characterized in 1889, by the German chemists Ladenburg and Oelschlägel, who used a sample that had been isolated from Ephedra vulgaris by the Merck pharmaceutical corporation of Darmstadt, Germany. The salts pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and pseudoephedrine sulfate are found in many over-the-counter preparations, either as a single ingredient or (more commonly) in a fixed-dose combination with one or more additional active ingredients such as antihistamines, guaifenesin, dextromethorphan, paracetamol (acetaminophen) or an NSAID (such as aspirin or ibuprofen). At first, pseudoephedrine was known as a natural substance that occurs in shrubs of the Ephedra genus, which grow worldwide. Almost all commercial pseudoephedrine, however, is produced by fermenting dextrose in the presence of benzaldehyde. The primary product, (R)-phenylacetylcarbinol, is aminated to make pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine acts on α- and β2-adrenergic receptors, to cause vasoconstriction and relaxation of smooth muscle in the bronchi, respectively. α-Adrenergic receptors are located on the muscles lining the walls of blood vessels. When these receptors are activated, the muscles contract, causing the blood vessels to constrict (vasoconstriction). The constricted blood vessels now allow less fluid to leave the blood vessels and enter the nose, throat and sinus linings, which results in decreased inflammation of nasal membranes, as well as decreased mucus production. Thus, by constriction of blood vessels, mainly those located in the nasal passages, pseudoephedrine causes a decrease in the symptoms of nasal congestion. Activation of β2-adrenergic receptors produces relaxation of smooth muscle of the bronchi, causing bronchial dilation and in turn decreasing congestion (although not fluid) and difficulty breathing. Pseudoephedrine. CAS Common Chemistry. CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society, n.d. https://commonchemistry.cas.org/detail?cas_rn=90-82-4 (retrieved 2024-06-28) (CAS RN: 90-82-4). Licensed under the Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).