peiminine

Peiminine is a steroidal alkaloid primarily isolated from the bulbs of various Fritillaria species, such as Fritillaria thunbergii and Fritillaria ussuriensis. It is a principal bioactive component in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is used for its expectorant and antitussive (cough suppressant) properties[1][4][5][10]. Peiminine displays a range of pharmacological effects, including strong anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antitumor activities[4][10]. Mechanistically, it increases cyclic AMP (cAMP) and inhibits M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs); it may additionally modulate transient receptor potential channels TRPV1 and TRPA1[1]. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that peiminine suppresses signaling pathways such as PI3K–Akt, ERK1/2, MAPK, and NF-κB, resulting in the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, induction of autophagy- and apoptosis-mediated cell death, and attenuation of inflammatory responses[1][3][4][6][9][10]. Preclinical research indicates peiminine's therapeutic potential against diseases like pulmonary fibrosis, osteoarthritis, glioblastoma, lung cancer, and osteosarcoma, but it is not approved as a pharmaceutical drug in any jurisdiction[4][6][9][10].

Other names

verticinone