Phenylethylamine alkaloids are natural products with an open tetrahydroisoquinoline structure (see substituted phenethylamines. [1]
Phenylethylamine alkaloids are natural products with an open tetrahydroisoquinoline structure (see substituted phenethylamines. [1]
Phenylethylamine alkaloids occur in many plants, including members of the families Cactaceae and Leguminosae, as well as Seaweed, Ranunculaceae, Celastraceae, Taxaceae, Malvaceae, Papaveraceae, Poaceae, and Amaryllidaceae. [2]
The eponym of this alkaloid group is the alkaloid phenethylamine. [2] (-)-ephedrine is found in Ephedra vulgaris , Ephedra sinica , and other Ephedraceae species. One of the best-known representatives is mescaline from the Mexican cactus Lophophora williamsii . [1]
Phenylethylamine alkaloids are physiologically active compounds and are therefore of considerable importance. Epinephrine (adrenaline) is known as an adrenal hormone. The β-oxidized macromerine is reported to possess hallucinogenic properties. Pseudoephedrine and norephedrine are sympathomimetic substances with effects similar to those of ephedrine. Mescaline is one of the longest-known hallucinogenic substances. [2]
(-)-Ephedrine is used as a bronchodilator for asthma attacks. It also increases blood pressure and stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. The mescaline-containing “peyote buttons” (the heads of the cactus Lophophora williamsii) are chewed and produce effects similar to those of the hallucinogenic LSD, but at much smaller doses. Phenylethylamine alkaloids are used as wake-up amines , appetite suppressants, and synthetic hallucinogens (designer drugs). [1]