3-hydroxymorphinan

3-hydroxymorphinan (3-HM) is a major metabolite of dextromethorphan and dextrorphan that has demonstrated potent neuroprotective properties in preclinical models of Parkinson's disease. Unlike its parent compounds, 3-HM appears to exert its effects primarily through glia-dependent mechanisms rather than direct neuronal receptor modulation. It promotes neurotrophic factor expression in astrocytes via increased histone H3 acetylation and suppresses microglial activation, thereby reducing the production of reactive oxygen species and protecting dopaminergic neurons from toxin-induced damage.

Other names

3-HMmorphinan-3-olmorphinan3-olmorphinan 3-oldextrorphan metabolite