methyllycaconitine

Methyllycaconitine (MLA) is a norditerpenoid alkaloid primarily derived from *Delphinium* species (larkspur) that acts as a potent and highly selective competitive antagonist of the alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR). It is widely utilized as a standard pharmacological tool in neuroscience research to distinguish the physiological and pathological roles of α7 nAChRs from other nicotinic receptor subtypes. Because α7 nAChRs are heavily implicated in cognitive processes, neuroinflammation, and neuroprotection, MLA is frequently employed in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia to block receptor signaling and evaluate downstream effects, such as the PI3K/Akt pathway. While it is highly valuable for *in vitro* and *in vivo* research due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, it is not used as a therapeutic agent in humans owing to its significant neurotoxicity and lack of clinical development for medicinal purposes.

Other names

methyllycaconitine citratemethyl-lycaconitineMLA citrate