title: Modulation of key reactions of the catecholamine metabolism by extracts from Eschscholtzia californica and Corydalis cava.
abstract: Aqueous-alcoholic extracts from Eschscholtzia californica inhibit the enzymatic degradation of catecholamines as well as the synthesis of adrenaline, whereas aqueous-ethanolic extracts from Corydalis cava enhance the chemical oxidation of adrenaline and the synthesis of melanine from dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). Both extracts dramatically shorten the lag phase in the catalysis of phenolase probably due to their o-diphenol content, where the Corydalis extracts are 10 times more active than the Eschscholtzia preparations. Dopamine beta-hydroxylase and monoamine oxidase (MAO-B) are especially inhibited by Eschscholtzia extracts. Diamine oxidases are inhibited by both preparations to a similar extent. The results of this study may be interpreted as a cooperative function of the two preparations in establishing and preserving high catecholamine levels thus explaining their sedative, antidepressive and hypnotic activities.
authors.affiliation: Organon International BV, Oberschleissheim, Germany.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kleber
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Elstner
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006631:Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D014445:Tyrosine Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D002395:Catecholamines; D007546:Isoquinolines; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; C092915:Phytonoxon N; D010936:Plant Extracts; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; D006631:Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing); D014445:Tyrosine Decarboxylase; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D004298:Dopamine; D004837:Epinephrine