title: Indole Alkaloids from Plants as Potential Leads for Antidepressant Drugs: A Mini Review.
abstract: Depression is the most common illness observed in the elderly, adults, and children. Antidepressants prescribed are usually synthetic drugs and these can sometimes cause a wide range of unpleasant side effects. Current research is focussed on natural products from plants as they are a rich source of potent new drug leads. BesidesHypericum perforatum(St. John's wort), the plants studied includePassiflora incarnataL. (passion flower),Mitragyna speciosa(kratom),Piper methysticumG. Forst (kava) andValeriana officinalisL. Harman, harmol, harmine, harmalol and harmaline are indole alkaloids isolated fromP. incarnata, while mitragynine is isolated fromM. speciosa. The structure of isolated compounds fromP. methysticumG. Forst andV. officinalisL. contains an indole moiety. The indole moiety is related to the neurotransmitter serotonin which is widely implicated for brain function and cognition as the endogenous receptor agonist. An imbalance in serotonin levels may influence mood in a way that leads to depression. The moiety is present in a number of antidepressants already on the market. Hence, the objective of this review is to discuss bioactive compounds containing the indole moiety from plants that can serve as potent antidepressants.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Gambang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Hazrulrizawati A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Hamid
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Gambang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Aizi N M
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Ramli
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Gambang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mashitah M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Yusoff
keywords: Mitragyna speciosa; Passiflora incarnata L; Piper methysticum G. Forst; Valeriana officinalis L; antidepressant; indole alkaloids