Tags: Chemical Compound, Chemical Substance.
Mesembrine is an alkaloid present in Sceletium tortuosum (kanna). It has been shown to act as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (Ki=1.4nM) and more recently has also been found to behave as a weak inhibitor of the enzyme phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) (Ki=7800nM). As such mesembrine may contribute to the antidepressant effects of kanna. The levorotary isomer (-)-mesembrine is the natural form.
