Benzodiazepine-like molecules, as well as other ligands for the brain benzodiazepine receptors, are relatively common constituents of plants.
The presence of benzodiazepine (BZD)-like molecules as well as of other substances with affinity for the brain BZD-receptors was explored in eight non-flowering plants known to contain biflavonoids, three flowering plants used as sedatives in folkloric medicine and one plant extensively used in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay as a tea substitute. All the plants examined contained substances which bound to the central BZD-receptors and the majority of them also had BZD-like compounds detected by their specific interaction with a monoclonal antibody against BZDs. In various cases this last type of compound was present in amounts which exceeded trace levels (0.5-1.0 ng/g). The biological or clinical significance for humans of all these substances should be explored.
Medina
J H
JH
Instituto de Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Peña
C
C
Levi de Stein
M
M
Wolfman
C
C
Paladini
A C
AC
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D010944:Plants / Q000032:analysis*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D005445:Flunitrazepam