Aporphine

Short description: Chemical compound

Aporphine

Identifiers

IUPAC name

* 6-methyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline

CAS Number|

* 478-57-9

PubChem CID|

* 114911

ChemSpider|

* 102860

UNII|

* 13NS2KTD6H

ChEBI|

* CHEBI:35643

Chemical and physical data
Formula| C17H17N
Molar mass| 235.330 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)|

* Interactive image

SMILES

* c12c(cccc1)CC4c3c(cccc23)CCN4C

InChI

* InChI=1S/C17H17N/c1-18-10-9-12-6-4-8-15-14-7-3-2-5-13(14)11-16(18)17(12)15/h2-8,16H,9-11H2,1H3

* Key:BZKUYNBAFQJRDM-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Aporphine is an alkaloid with the chemical formula C
17H
17N. It is the core chemical substructure of the aporphine alkaloids, a subclass of quinoline alkaloids. It can exist in either of two enantiomeric forms, (R)-aporphine and (S)-aporphine.

## Contents

* 1 Derivatives
* 1.1 Apomorphine
* 2 Effects
* 3 Synthesis
* 4 Toxicity
* 5 Pharmacology
* 6 Pharmacokinetics
* 7 Psychoactive effects
* 8 Effects on animals
* 9 See also
* 10 References

## Derivatives

Many different derivatives have been isolated from plants.[1] For example, many water-lilies (Nymphaea species) produce aporphine alkaloids such as nymphaeine, nymphaline, nupharine, α- and β-nupharidine.[2]

In vitro tests of some aporphine derivatives isolated from Cassytha filiformis, namely actinodaphnine, cassythine, and dicentrine, showed antiparasitic activity against Trypanosoma brucei. Investigation of possible mechanisms revealed that the compounds bind to DNA and act as intercalating agents, besides inhibiting topoisomerase activity.[3]

Aporphine natural products occur with either the (R)- or (S)-stereochemistries, or they can be achiral. Furthermore, morphine-based natural products can be heated in acid to give aporphine degradation products, like the FDA-approved Parkinson's drug apomorphine, which was first discovered by the Finnish chemist Arppe in 1845.[4]

Aporphines can occur as either (R)- or (S)-isomers, or as achiral compounds, and while many of these are toxic, some have been used for their medicinal value and have been approved by the FDA and world markets.

### Apomorphine

A specific type of aporphine is apomorphine. The compound is historically a morphine decomposition product made by boiling morphine with concentrated acid, hence the -morphine suffix. Contrary to its name however, apomorphine doesn’t actually contain morphine or its skeleton, nor does it bind to opioid receptors. The apo- prefix indicates that it is a morphine derivative.

Historically, apomorphine has been tried for a variety of uses, including as a way to relieve anxiety and craving in alcoholics, an emetic (a vomit-inducer), for treating stereotypies (repeated behaviour) in farmyard animals, and more recently in treating erectile dysfunction. It was also used as a private treatment of heroin addiction, but there is no clinical evidence that apomorphine is an effective and safe treatment for opiate addiction.

Currently, apomorphine is used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It is a potent emetic and should not be administered without an antiemetic such as domperidone. The emetic properties of apomorphine are exploited in veterinary medicine to induce therapeutic emesis (vomiting) in canines that have recently ingested toxic or foreign substances.[5]

## Effects

Aporphine is a dopamine receptor agonist, specifically D1 and D2.[6] In rodents, aporphine administration has been demonstrated to activate gene expression, specifically in the nuclei of the hypothalamus, resulting in stereotypical behaviour of erection and yawning. In humans, aporphine produces nonsexual erections that are enhanced by erotic stimulation without changes in libido (sexual desire), but significant side effects (especially nausea) can occur. A sublingual (under the tongue) formulation of aporphine (2 and 4 mg) with a rapid onset of action (15 to 25 min) has been developed and proven to be efficacious in ED (erectile dysfunction) patients with controlled diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), benign prostatic hypertrophy (the non-harmful enlargement of the prostate from the increase in size of its cells) or coronary vascular disease (disease of the arteries surrounding and supplying the heart).[7]

## Synthesis

Aporphine can be synthesized in a seven-step reaction. First, 1-Benzyl-2-tosyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-ylpyridine-2-sulfonate is converted to 6-Tosyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinolin-1-yl-pyridine-2-sulfonate via an aryl-aryl dehydrogenative coupling reaction. Then, 6-Tosyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinolin-1-yl-pyridine-2-sulfonate is reacted to 6-Tosyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinolin-1-ol in a reduction reaction. After this second step, 6-Tosyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinolin-1-yl Trifluoromethanesulfonate is created by swapping the hydroxyl group of 6-Tosyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinolin-1-ol for a trifluoromethanesulfonate group. This 6-Tosyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinolin-1-yl Trifluoromethanesulfonate is then further reduced by palladium acetate, leading to 6-Tosyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinolone. The sixth step is conversion of 6-Tosyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinolone to 5,6,6a,7-Tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinolone in reduction reaction using samarium(II)iodide. The seventh and final step is the reductive amination of 5,6,6a,7-Tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinolone to yield aporphine.[8]

The aporphine core has been synthesized using a number of different methods in the total synthesis of aporphine natural products.

A number of natural products including semisynthetic analogs belonging to the aporphine class have been synthesized. These include apomorphine by Neumeyer[9] and Raminelli,[10] Pukateine by Happel,[11] Isocorydine by Di,[12] Nuciferine and Oliveroline by Cuny,[13][14] Glaucine by Meyers,[15] Dicentrine by Cava,[16] and Lysicamine by Raminelli,[17] and an overview of some of the synthetic approaches toward the aporphine ring system is outlined in the figure at the right.

## Toxicity

Most aporphine alkaloids are toxic. They exhibit antagonistic effects to dopamine. Many of them have anticonvulsant activity or induced convulsions in animals and cytotoxic (toxic to cells) activity.[18]

Some aporphine alkaloids (such as crebanine) have been found to present arrhythmic activity (irregularities in the heartbeat) and also higher toxicity. In a study, a couple of target derivatives were evaluated for their antiarrhythmic potential in the mouse model of ventricular fibrillation (VF, a dangerous type of arrhythmia). Here, preliminary structure-activity/toxicity relationship analyses were carried out. Of these target derivatives, a certain bromo-substituted product of crebanine displayed significant antiarrhythmic activity and a lower toxicity. In a significant number of rats, this product caused reduction in the incidence of VF, increase in the resumption of sinus rhythm (normal heartbeat) from arrhythmia, and increase in maintaining sinus rhythm. This indicates that this specific aporphine alkaloid could be considered as a promising candidate in the treatment of arrhythmia.[19]

## Pharmacology

According to the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, aporphine derivatives can be used for treating oxidative stress induced diseases. Aporphine that can inhibit lipid peroxidase and perform the free radical scavenging activities cause protection of blood vessel smooth muscle cells. This reduces oxidative stress which may induce diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease, diabetes, cancer etc.[20]

Aporphine alkaloids present in Litsea glutinosa, a tropical plant with antioxidant and anti-parasitic properties, claims to contribute to anti-cancer activity. The study of Chi P. Ndi et al., (2016) illustrates the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of aporphine-containing extracts of Litsea glutinosa. In silico measurements show that the 1,2-methylenedioxy group of aporphine can be utilized in the same manner as the anticancer drug etoposide.[21]

(R)-Aporphine is a dopamine receptor D1 antagonist with a Ki of 717 nM[22] and a dopamine receptor D2 antagonist with a Ki of 527 nM.[23] Aporphine and its related alkaloids bulbocapnine, boldine, glaucine, and corytuberine are antipsychotic, exert naloxone-reversible antinociceptive activity, and with the exception of corytuberine are anticonvulsant.[24] Some derivatives of aporphine such as (S)-(+)-N-propylnorapomorphine have potential as low side effect profile antipsychotics. (S)-(+)-N-Propylnorapomorphine is highly selective for meso-limbic dopaminergic tracts and function as efficacious partial agonists, with no elevation in prolactin.[25]

## Pharmacokinetics

Aporphine is hydroxylated in the body to form apomorphine.[26]

## Psychoactive effects

The Nymphea species (Nymphaea caerulea), as mentioned in ‘Derivatives’, is commonly used in society.[27] Its plant extracts can be ingested or vaped. Intake of Nymphaea at high doses is known to produce euphoria and hallucinations. This plant, also called the blue lotus, is sold in several forms such as dried plant material, teas, or as extract for electronic cigarettes. The psychoactive effect of the flower is due to two aporphine alkaloids; apomorphine and nuciferine. Apomorphine is known to treat diseases such as depression, schizophrenia, Parkison’s disease and erectile dysfunction. Nuciferine is used as an antipsychotic and in treatment of alcohol use disorder. The compound has mixed effects at serotonin and dopamine receptors causing the compound to be a dopaminergic agonist (it acts the same as dopamine).[28]

## Effects on animals

There are no studies on aporphine specifically in animals. Studies on subcutaneous apomorphine injection are the closest thing as apomorphine is the bioactive form of aporphine. In a 5-day study, mice were given up to 10 mg/kg apomorphine subcutaneously daily. No adverse effects were observed other than a slight increase in dopamine levels.[29] However, apomorphine is used in veterinary clinics as an emetic, due to severe off-target effects that lead to vomiting.[30]

In another study, mice were given a single 40 mg/kg dose of apomorphine. Slight DNA damage was observed in brain tissue three hours after treatment.[31]

## See also

* Anonaine
* Liriodenine
* Magnoflorine
* Nantenine
* Nuciferine

## References

1. ↑ "Cytotoxic and antitumor potentialities of aporphinoid alkaloids". Current Medicinal Chemistry. Anti-Cancer Agents 5 (2): 173–182. March 2005. doi:10.2174/1568011053174864. PMID 15777224.
2. ↑ "Medicinal plants in tropical West Africa. II. Plants acting on the nervous system". Journal of Ethnopharmacology 7 (1): 1–93. January 1983. doi:10.1016/0378-8741(83)90082-X. PMID 6132025.
3. ↑ "Alkaloids from Cassytha filiformis and related aporphines: antitrypanosomal activity, cytotoxicity, and interaction with DNA and topoisomerases". Planta Medica 70 (5): 407–413. May 2004. doi:10.1055/s-2004-818967. PMID 15124084.
4. ↑ "The Many Faces of Apomorphine: Lessons from the Past and Challenges for the Future". Drugs in R&D 18 (2): 91–107. June 2018. doi:10.1007/s40268-018-0230-3. PMID 29546602.
5. ↑ "The apomorphine test: a biological marker for heroin dependence disorder?". Addiction Biology 7 (4): 421–426. October 2002. doi:10.1080/1355621021000006206. PMID 14578019.
6. ↑ "Aporphine enantiomers. Interactions with D-1 and D-2 dopamine receptors". Molecular Pharmacology 25 (1): 18–23. January 1984. PMID 6231468.
7. ↑ "Male and Female Sexual Dysfunction: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Classifications, and Treatment.". Principles of Gender-Specific Medicine: Aporphine SL. Academic Press. January 2004. pp. 573-585. doi:10.1016/B978-012440905-7/50321-2.
8. ↑ "Synthesis of Aporphine Analogues via Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Aryl-Aryl Dehydrogenative Coupling". The Journal of Organic Chemistry 86 (19): 13618–13630. October 2021. doi:10.1021/acs.joc.1c01649. PMID 34498883.
9. ↑ "Aporphines. 8. Total synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of (plus or minus)-apomorphine, (plus or minus)-apocodeine, (plus or minus)-N-n-propylnorapomorphine, and (plus or minus)-N-n-propylnorapocodeine". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 16 (11): 1223–1228. November 1973. doi:10.1021/jm00269a601. PMID 4201182.
10. ↑ "Convergent Total Synthesis of (±)-Apomorphine via Benzyne Chemistry: Insights into the Mechanisms Involved in the Key Step". Synthesis 49 (16): 3546–3557. 2017-06-20. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1588855. ISSN 0039-7881.
11. ↑ "[The total synthesis of (plus minus)-pukatein]". Chemische Berichte 102 (9): 2959–2966. September 1969. doi:10.1002/cber.19691020910. PMID 5806148.
12. ↑ "Asymmetric total synthesis of (S)-isocorydine" (in en). Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 26 (20): 1145–1149. 2015-11-01. doi:10.1016/j.tetasy.2015.09.008. ISSN 0957-4166.
13. ↑ "Intramolecular ortho-Arylation of Phenols Utilized in the Synthesis of the Aporphine Alkaloids (.+-.)-Lirinidine and (.+-.)-Nuciferine.". ChemInform 35 (6). 2004-02-10. doi:10.1002/chin.200406170. ISSN 0931-7597.
14. ↑ "Synthetic studies of 7-oxygenated aporphine alkaloids: preparation of (-)-oliveroline, (-)-nornuciferidine, and derivatives". Organic Letters 17 (5): 1134–1137. March 2015. doi:10.1021/acs.orglett.5b00007. PMID 25710592.
15. ↑ "An asymmetric synthesis of aporphine and related alkaloids via chiral formamidines. (+)-glaucine, (+)-homoglaucine, and (-)-8,9-didemethoxythalisopavine" (in en). The Journal of Organic Chemistry 55 (21): 5659–5662. October 1990. doi:10.1021/jo00308a029. ISSN 0022-3263.
16. ↑ "An improved photochemical aporphine synthesis: New syntheses of dicentrine and cassameridine" (in en). Tetrahedron 29 (15): 2245–2249. 1973-01-01. doi:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)93344-7. ISSN 0040-4020.
17. ↑ "Total Syntheses of Aporphine Alkaloids via Benzyne Chemistry: An Approach to the Formation of Aporphine Cores". The Journal of Organic Chemistry 80 (20): 10033–10040. October 2015. doi:10.1021/acs.joc.5b01634. PMID 26375603.
18. ↑ "New research and development on the Formosan Annonaceous plants. Aporphinoids". Studies in natural products chemistry. Elsevier. 2006. pp. 957-1023.
19. ↑ US EPA National Center for Environmental Assessment (2009-03-15). "Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationships of a Series of Aporphine Derivatives with Antiarrhythmic Activities and Acute Toxicity" (in en). https://hero.epa.gov/hero/index.cfm/reference/details/reference_id/7167107.
20. ↑ "Broad US patent issued to Dyadic International". Focus on Catalysts 2012 (11): 7. November 2012. doi:10.1016/s1351-4180(12)70458-0. ISSN 1351-4180.
21. ↑ "Phytochemical constituents, Ethno medicinal properties and Applications of Plant: Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C.B. Robinson (Lauraceae)". Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology: 6113–6118. 2021-11-30. doi:10.52711/0974-360x.2021.01062. ISSN 0974-360X.
22. ↑ "11-substituted (R)-aporphines: synthesis, pharmacology, and modeling of D2A and 5-HT1A receptor interactions". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 39 (18): 3503–3513. August 1996. doi:10.1021/jm960189i. PMID 8784448.
23. ↑ "Atropisomeric derivatives of 2',6'-disubstituted (R)-11-phenylaporphine: selective serotonin 5-HT(7) receptor antagonists". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 44 (9): 1337–1340. April 2001. doi:10.1021/jm0108505. PMID 11311055.
24. ↑ "Neuroleptic-like, anticonvulsant and antinociceptive effects of aporphine alkaloids: bulbocapnine, corytuberine, boldine and glaucine". Archives Internationales De Pharmacodynamie Et De Therapie 296: 255–281. 1988. PMID 2907279.
25. ↑ "Effects of aporphine isomers on rat prolactin". Neuroscience Letters 176 (2): 269–271. August 1994. doi:10.1016/0304-3940(94)90098-1. PMID 7830962.
26. ↑ "Nymphaea cults in ancient Egypt and the New World: a lesson in empirical pharmacology". Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 97 (2): 84–85. February 2004. doi:10.1177/014107680409700214. PMID 14749409.
27. ↑ Seligman, Sian (2023-01-13). "Blue Lotus Flower: Smoking, Tea & More" (in en-US). https://doubleblindmag.com/blue-lotus/.
28. ↑ "Toxicity From Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) After Ingestion or Inhalation: A Case Series". Military Medicine. August 2021. doi:10.1093/milmed/usab328. PMID 34345890.
29. ↑ "Apomorphine protects against MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in mice". Movement Disorders 14 (4): 612–618. July 1999. doi:10.1002/1531-8257(199907)14:4<612::aid-mds1010>3.0.co;2-6. PMID 10435498.
30. ↑ "A Structural Analysis of the FDA Green Book-Approved Veterinary Drugs and Roles in Human Medicine". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 63 (24): 15449–15482. December 2020. doi:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01502. PMID 33125236.
31. ↑ "DNA damage in brain cells of mice treated with an oxidized form of apomorphine". Brain Research. Molecular Brain Research 114 (1): 80–85. May 2003. doi:10.1016/s0169-328x(03)00127-x. PMID 12782396.

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