Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) ASIC3 expressed mainly in peripheral sensory neurons play an important role in pain perception and inflammation development. In response to acidic stimuli, they can generate a unique biphasic current. At physiological pH 7.4, human ASIC3 isoform (hASIC3) is desensitized and able to generate only a sustained current. We found endogenous isoquinoline alkaloids (E...

Vitiligo is a depigmentation disorder; Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) plays a major role in the development of depigmentation. Monoamine oxidase-A(MAO-A) enzyme is one of the reasons in producing ROS by metabolizing norepinephrine which found to be high level in vitiligo patients. Inhibiting MAO-A enzyme prevents further depigmentation. Clinical studies proved that the isoquinoline alkaloids hav...

Isoquinoline-degrading microbial cultures were isolated from oil- and creosote-contaminated soils. The establishment of initial enrichment cultures required the use of emulsified isoquinoline. Once growth on isoquinoline was established, isoquinoline emulsification was no longer required for utilization of isoquinoline as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen by these cultures. An isoquinoline...

Plants produce a variety of secondary metabolites that possess strong physiological activities. Unfortunately, however, their production can suffer from a variety of serious problems, including low levels of productivity and heterogeneous quality, as well as difficulty in raw material supply. In contrast, microorganisms can be used to produce their primary and some of their secondary metabolite...

We move from benzo-fused pyrroles to benzo-fused pyridines and meet quinoline and isoquinoline. Isoquinolines will feature as benzylisoquinoline alkaloids in Chapter 51 and their synthesis will mostly be discussed there. In this section we shall concentrate on the quinolines. Quinoline forms part of the structure of quinine, the malaria remedy found in cinchona bark and known since the time of ...

Alkaloids are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases. These compounds are synthesized in plants as secondary metabolites and have multiple effects on cellular metabolism. Among plant derivatives with biological properties, the isoquinoline quaternary alkaloid berberine possesses a broad range of therapeutic uses against several diseases. In recent years, berberine has b...