Beta-Carboline

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ImageFile=Beta-carboline (small).svg
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IUPACName=9H-pyrido [3,4-b] indole
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Section1= Chembox Identifiers
CASNo=244-63-3
PubChem=64961
SMILES=C1=CC=C2C(=C1)C3=C(N2)C=NC=C3
MeSHName=norharman
Section2= Chembox Properties
Formula=C₁₁H₈N₂
MolarMass=168.19462
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Autoignition= β-Carboline (9"H"-pyrido [3,4-"b"] indole) is an organic amine that is the prototype of a class of compounds known as β-"carbolines".

Pharmacology

β-carboline alkaloids are widespread in plants and animals, and frequently act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI). As components of the liana "Banisteriopsis caapi", the β-carbolines harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine play a pivotal role in the pharmacology of the psychedelic brew ayahuasca. Some β-carbolines, notably tryptoline and pinoline, are formed naturally in the human body. The latter is implicated along with melatonin in the role of the pineal gland in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.Fact|date=July 2008

United States Patent Number 5591738 describes a method for treating various chemical dependencies via the administration of beta-carbolines. [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5591738.html Method of treating chemical dependency using .beta.-carboline alkaloids, derivatives and salts thereof] ]

tructure

The structure of β-carboline is similar to that of tryptamine, with the ethylamine chain re-connected to the indole ring via an extra carbon atom, to produce a three-ringed structure. Indeed, biosynthesis of β-carbolines is believed to follow this route from analogous tryptamines. Different levels of saturation are possible in the third ring, which is indicated here in the structural formula by colouring the optionally double bonds red and blue:

Examples of β-carbolines

Some of the more important β-carbolines are tabulated by structure below.

Occurrence in nature

"There are presently 64 known .beta.-carboline alkaloids dispersed throughout at least eight plant families." [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5591738.html Method of treating chemical dependency using .beta.-carboline alkaloids, derivatives and salts thereof] ] The seeds of "Peganum harmala" (Syrian Rue) are a good source of beta-carbolines, since they contain about 2-6% alkaloids, most of which is harmaline. [ [http://www.amazing-nature.com/-i-43.html www.amazing-nature.com] ] Rs|date=December 2007

ee also

* Harmala alkaloid
* Tryptamine

External links

* [http://www.erowid.org/library/books_online/tihkal/tihkal44.shtml TiHKAL #44]
* [http://www.erowid.org/library/books_online/tihkal TiHKAL] in general
*
* [http://www.biopsychiatry.com/coffee-maoi.htm Beta-carbolines in Coffee]
* [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16183262&dopt=AbstractPlus Antidepressant-like effect of harmane and other beta-carbolines in the mouse forced swim test]

References