The relaxation effect and mechanism of action of higenamine in the rat corpus cavernosum

A Narrative Review on Higenamine: Pharmacological Properties and Clinical Applications

BACKGROUND

Higenamine, a bioactive alkaloid derived from plants such as Aconitum and Annona squamosa, has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for treating heart diseases like bradycardia, arrhythmia, and heart failure. It exhibits multiple pharmacological effects, including anti-oxidative stress, improved cellular energy metabolism, anti-apoptosis, and enhanced erectile dysfunction.

AIM AND METHODS

To investigate the reasons for these functions of higenamine and its application in the clinic, the literature of the database was searched and read in this study.

RESULTS

As a non-selective β-agonist, higenamine activates both β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors, leading to cardiovascular benefits such as increased heart rate and myocardial contractility, as well as bronchodilation. It has also been studied for its potential in weight loss, anti-inflammatory properties, and antioxidant properties, with applications in treating asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and ischemia-reperfusion injuries. However, its clinical use is limited by the need for further research on its long-term safety, pharmacokinetics, and interactions with other drugs. Despite its promising therapeutic potential, higenamine's inclusion in the World Anti-Doping Agency's banned list highlights concerns over its stimulant effects and safety in athletic contexts.

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies should focus on optimizing its clinical applications while ensuring safety and efficacy. In terms of clinical applications, future research will also be able to explore more possibilities to use higenamine more in the treatment of diseases.

Higenamine Reduces Fine-Dust-Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 in Human Keratinocytes

Environmental pollutants such as fine dust are increasingly linked to premature skin aging. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of higenamine, a natural plant alkaloid, against fine-dust-induced skin aging in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). We found that higenamine significantly attenuated fine-dust-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), a key enzyme involved in collagen degradation. Furthermore, higenamine was found to modulate fine-dust-induced AP-1 and NF-κB transactivation, which are crucial factors for MMP-1 transcription. Higenamine also impeded fine-dust-induced phosphorylation in specific pathways related to AP-1 and NF-κB activation, and effectively alleviated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, a key factor in oxidative stress caused by fine dust exposure. These results suggest that higenamine exerts protective effects against fine-dust-induced skin aging, primarily through its MMP-1 inhibitory properties and ability to mitigate ROS-induced oxidative damage. Our data highlight the potential of higenamine as an effective ingredient in skincare products designed to combat environmental skin damage.

Pharmacological effects of higenamine based on signalling pathways and mechanism of action

Higenamine (HG) is a chemical compound found in various plants, such as aconite. Recent pharmacological studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in the management of many diseases. Several mechanisms of action of HG have been proposed; however, they have not yet been classified. This review summarises the signalling pathways and pharmacological targets of HG, focusing on its potential as a naturally extracted drug. Articles related to the pharmacological effects, signalling pathways and pharmacological targets of HG were selected by searching the keyword "Higenamine" in the PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases without limiting the search by publication years. HG possesses anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, electrophysiology regulatory, anti-fibrotic and lipid-lowering activities. It is a structural analogue of catecholamines and possesses characteristics similar to those of adrenergic receptor ligands. It can modulate multiple targets, including anti-inflammation- and anti-apoptosis-related targets and some transcription factors, which directly or indirectly influence the disease course. Other naturally occurring compounds, such as cucurbitacin B (Cu B) and 6-gingerol (6-GR), can be combined with HG to enhance its anti-apoptotic activity. Although significant research progress has been made, follow-up pharmacological studies are required to determine the exact mechanism of action, new signalling pathways and targets of HG and the effects of using it in combination with other drugs.

Discovery of higenamine as a potent, selective and cellular active natural LSD1 inhibitor for MLL-rearranged leukemia therapy

Natural products are a rich source of lead compounds and have shown promise for epigenetic drug discovery. In this work, we discovered higenamine from our natural product library as a potent, selective and cellular active natural LSD1 inhibitor. Higenamine shows acceptable potency against LSD1 and high selectivity towards LSD1 over MAOA/B. Higenamine significantly increases expression of LSD1 substrates H3K4me1 and H3K4me2 in MLL-rearranged leukemia cells MV4-11 and MOLM-13, but nearly had no effect on LSD1 and H3K4Me3. Meanwhile, higenamine dose-dependently suppresses the levels of HOXA9 and MEIS1 that are overexpressed in leukemia cell lines. Notably, higenamine induces cell differentiation of MV4-11 and MOLM-13 cells accompanying by increased expression of CD11b, CD14 and CD86. Higenamine promotes cell apoptosis, inhibits colony formation, but does not inhibit proliferation of leukemia cells significantly. In addition, the expression levels of p53 are dramatically changed by higenamine in an LSD1-dependent manner in MV4-11 cells. Taken together, higenamine could be employed as a starting point for the development of more selective and potent LSD1 inhibitors. Our work firstly reveals the non-classical epigenetic regulation mechanism of higenamine in cancers, and also demonstrates the efficacy of higenamine for MLL-rearranged leukemia therapy.

Applications of Higenamine in pharmacology and medicine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Aconitum has been used as local and traditional medicines in many asian regions for the treatment of various diseases such as collapse, syncope, painful joints, oedema, bronchial asthma et al. Higenamine, a plant-based alkaloid, was initially isolated from Aconitum and identified as the active cardiotonic component of Aconitum. It has been tested as a candidate of pharmacologic stress agent in the detection of coronary artery diseases (CADs) and now researchers have just accomplished the phase III clinical studies successfully in China. Besides, a large number of studies have revealed the various pharmacological properties and potentially multi-spectral medical applications of higenamine. However, to date, no comprehensive review on higenamine has been published.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This present paper aims to compile a comprehensive update regarding the biochemistry, pharmacokinetic features, pharmacological activities, clinical and potential clinical uses and toxicities on higenamine with the ultimate objective of providing a guide for future research on this drug.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The selection of relevant data was made through a search using the keyword "higenamine" in "Web of science", "Pubmed", and "China Knowledge Resource Integrated (CNKI)". Information was also acquired from local classic herbal literature, government reports and conference papers.

RESULTS

In addition to Aconitum, higenamine also exists in many other plants including Tinospora crispa, Nandina domestica T_HUNBERG, Gnetum Parvifolium C.Y. Cheng, sarum Heterotropoides_,Nelumbo nucifera_,N.nucifera. The pharmacokinetic studies conducted in animals and humans showed that higenamine conformed to a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model. Studies over the last four decades on higenamine have revealed its various pharmacological properties such as positive inotropic and chronotropic effect, activating slow channel effect, vascular and tracheal relaxation effect, anti-thrombotic, anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative effect, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect. This phytochemical constituent has shown its potential therapeutic effects for diseases like heart failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), shock, arthritis, asthma, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries and erectile dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Extensive basic and clinical studies on higenamine showed valuable therapeutic effects on different disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms of higenamine have not been established. Therefore, the safety, tolerability and efficacy of higenamine are as yet, not fully understood. Additionally, some of the studies were small sample-sized and unreliable. To sum up, there is a need for deeper investigation in the mechanisms of higenamine action, as well as well-designed preclinical and clinical trials studies to test the safety and clinical value of the drug.

Clinical safety assessment of oral higenamine supplementation in healthy, young men

OBJECTIVE

Higenamine, an herbal agent also known as norcoclaurine, is thought to stimulate β-androgenic receptors and possess lipolytic activity. It is currently making its way into the dietary supplement market. To our knowledge, no studies have been conducted to determine the safety profile of oral higenamine when used alone and in conjunction with other commonly used lipolytic agents.

METHODS

Forty-eight men were assigned to ingest either a placebo, higenamine, caffeine, or higenamine + caffeine + yohimbe bark extract daily for a period of 8 weeks. Before and after 4 and 8 weeks of supplementation, the following variables were measured: resting respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, urinalysis, complete blood count, metabolic panel, liver enzyme activity, and lipid panel.

RESULTS

No interaction effects were noted for any variable (p > 0.05), with no changes of statistical significance occurring across time for any of the four conditions (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to determine the safety profile of oral higenamine intake in human subjects. Our data indicate that 8 weeks of daily higenamine supplementation, either alone or in conjunction with caffeine and yohimbe bark extract, does not result in a statistically significant change in any of the measured outcome variables. Additional studies, inclusive of a larger sample size, are needed to extend these initial findings.

Treatment of erectile dysfunction: new targets and strategies from recent research

In recent years, research on penile erection has increasingly been centered on the molecular mechanisms involved. Major progress has been made in the field and at present a whole number of neurotransmitters, chemical effectors, growth factors, second-messenger molecules, ions, intercellular proteins, and hormones have been characterized as components of the complex process of erection. This knowledge has led to the discovery of several new therapeutic targets and multiple medical approaches for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). This review focuses on the progress made in this field within the last few years.