Canadine


-Canadine, also known as -tetrahydroberberine and xanthopuccine, is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, of the protoberberine structural subgroup, and is present in many plants from the family Papaveraceae, such as Corydalis yanhusuo and C. turtschaninovii.

Biosynthesis

Metabolically, -canadine is derived from Berberine bridge enzyme to -scoulerine 9-O-methyltransferase to -canadine synthase/CYP719A21 to -canadine.
-Canadine is the immediate metabolic precursor of berberine, which is obtained through the action of the enzyme -tetrahydroprotoberberine oxidase. It is also an intermediate in the complex biosynthesis of noscapine, which is likewise a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, but of the phthalideisoquinoline structural subgroup.
-Canadine, berberine, palmatine, and hydrastine are the major alkaloids present in goldenseal.

Effects

A number of in vitro effects of -canadine have been reported. It stimulates myogenesis and inhibits muscle protein degradation. -Canadine blocks K channels in dopamine neurons. -Canadine has displayed antioxidant activity: though it lacked any demonstrable cytotoxic effect in three unique cell cultures, it was observed to possess antioxidant activity against free radical-induced oxidative injury. -Canadine can block voltage-dependent calcium channels, but at a level significantly lower than that of verapamil.