securinine

**Securinine** is a plant-derived indolizidine alkaloid originally isolated from *Securinega suffruticosa* in 1956[1][6]. It has a tetracyclic backbone featuring a 6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring fused with an α,β-unsaturated-γ-lactone and a piperidine ring[1][5][6]. Clinically, securinine has been used in several countries (not the U.S.) for neurological disorders and as a neurostimulant[3][1]. Its principal mechanism is antagonism of **GABA receptors**, leading to potent stimulation of the central nervous system, spastic effects, and risk of seizures at high doses[1][13][3]. Securinine has demonstrated a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities: - **Neuroprotective** (Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis)[1][3][5] - **Anti-inflammatory** (inhibition of NF-κB, ERK, iNOS expression, and NO production)[1] - **Anticancer** (particularly acute myeloid leukemia, via induction of monocytic differentiation and activation of DNA damage signaling)[3][6][15] - **Antibacterial, antimalarial, and antifungal**[1][6] It was previously marketed as securinine nitrate in the USSR for CNS and antispasmodic effects until the 1990s[6][7], and remains an important scaffold for medicinal chemistry due to several reactive centers[1][5].

Brand names

securinine

Other names

(-)-securininesecurinine nitrate6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane indolizidine alkaloid(6S,11aR,11bS)-9,10,11,11a-tetrahydro-8H-6,11b-methanofuro(2,3-c)pyrido(1,2-a)azepin-2(6H)-one[14]