Anatabine is a minor tobacco alkaloid with a chemical structural similarity to nicotine. Anatabine is produced in plants of the Solanacea family including tobacco, green tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Anatabine is an Aβ inhibitor. (R,S)-Anatabine (tartrate) is preferable to (R,S)-Anatabine for certain applications and formulations.

In vitro: Anatabine dose-dependently lowered Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 levels and reduced sAPPβ production without any effects on sAPPα levels. Anatabine lowered Aβ production by mainly impacting the β-cleavage of APP. Anatabine lowered NFκB activation. Anatabine inhibited BACE-1 transcription and reduced BACE-1 protein levels in human neuronal-like SHSY-5Y cells. (R,S)-Anatabine also dose-dependently inhibits NF-κB activation [1].

In vivo: In a transgenic mouse model with AD, treatment with anatabine for 4 days remarkably lowered brain soluble Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 levels [1].