mecamylamine

Mecamylamine, an orally active, nonselective, noncompetitive antagonist of nAChR (nicotinic acetylcholine receptors), exhibits ganglionic blockade capabilities and can cross the blood-brain barrier. Its applications span research areas including neuropsychiatric disorders, hypertension, and antidepressant efficacy.

Mecamylamine hydrochloride (Mevasin) is a nicotinic antagonist, used as a ganglionic blocker in hypertension.

Dexmecamylamine( TC-5214, NIH-11008) is used as a nicotinic channel modulator with antidepressant activity.

Dexmecamylamine ((+)-Mecamylamine) acts as an antagonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), effectively inhibiting α3β4, α4β2, α7, and α1β1γδ receptors, with an IC50 in the micromolar range. It also exhibits anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects.

Unifiram is a nootropic agent.1It increases acetylcholine (ACh) release in the rat cerebral cortexin vivoand induces a long-lasting increase in the amplitude of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in the rat hippocampal CA1 region (EC50= 27 nM). It does not bind to serotonin (5-HT), dopamine, muscarinic, nicotinic, adrenergic, glutamate, histamine, opioid, or GABA receptors at 1 μM. Unifiram (0.1 mg kg) improves memory in non-memory-impaired rats in a social learning test.2It also prevents memory deficits induced by the anticholinergic agent scopolamine, nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine, GABABreceptor agonist baclofen, or α2-adrenergic receptor agonist clonidine in the passive avoidance test in mice when administered at a dose of 0.01 mg kg and prevents memory deficits induced by the AMPA kainate glutamate receptor antagonist NBQX at 0.1 mg kg.1 1.Romanelli, M.N., Galeotti, N., Ghelardini, C., et al.Pharmacological characterization of DM232 (unifiram) and DM235 (sunifiram), new potent cognition enhancersCNS Drug Rev.12(1)39-52(2006) 2.Ghelardini, C., Galeotti, N., Gualtieri, F., et al.The novel nootropic compound DM232 (unifiram) ameliorates memory impairment in mice and ratsDrug Develop. Res.56(1)23-32(2002)

AT-1001 is an α3β4 nAChR partial agonist. AT-1001 attenuates stress-induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking in a rat model of relapse and induces minimal withdrawal in dependent rats. AT-1001 also potently and reversibly blocks epibatidine-induced inward currents in HEK cells transfected with α3β4 nAChR. Importantly, AT-1001 potently and dose-dependently blocks nicotine self-administration in rats, without affecting food responding. When tested in a nucleus accumbens (NAcs) synaptosomal preparation, AT-1001 inhibits nicotine-induced [³H]dopamine release poorly and at significantly higher concentrations compared with mecamylamine and conotoxin MII.