Buy Mesembrine (Sceletium) Cas 468-53-1

Mesembrine is an alkaloid primarily derived from the plant Sceletium tortuosum, commonly known as kanna. This compound is noted for its psychoactive properties, particularly as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which contributes to its potential use in treating mood disorders and anxiety. Mesembrine has garnered interest in both traditional medicine and modern pharmacology, where it is explored for its effects on enhancing mood and cognitive function.

Kanna itself has a long history of use by indigenous peoples in Southern Africa, who utilized it for its mood-enhancing and stress-relieving effects, often consuming it in various forms such as teas or chews.^[1][2][3][4]

Mesembrine has also been identified in Mesembryanthemum cordifolium, Delosperma echinatum, and Oscularia deltoides.^[5]

Mesembrine has been shown to act as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (K_i = 1.4 nM), and has also been found to behave as a weak inhibitor of the enzyme phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) (K_i = 7,800 nM).^[6] A concentrated mesembrine extract of Sceletium tortuosum may exert antidepressant effects by acting as a monoamine releasing agent.^[7] As such, mesembrine likely plays a dominant role in the antidepressant effects of kanna.^[8]

Rat studies have evaluated effects of kanna extract, finding analgesic and antidepressant potential.^[9] No adverse results were noted for a commercial extract up to 5000 mg/kg daily in rats.^[10]

Mesembrine was first isolated and characterized in 1957.^[11] It is a tricyclic molecule with two bridgehead chiral carbons located between the five-membered and six-membered rings. The naturally occurring form of mesembrine produced by plants is the levorotatory isomer, (−)-mesembrine, where the carbon atoms at positions 3a and 7a both have the S configuration (3aS,7aS).^[12]