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Documenting & Discussing Medicinal & Psychoactive Plants

List Of Phytochemicals And Their Ethnobotanical Sources

#phytochemicals
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Ezekiel 47:12 "And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine."

This is not a full list, but it is an evolving list. This is quite the task at hand for me to compile this list like this. I'm typing all of the code from scratch. Expect it to grow by leaps and bounds.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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Ajmaline - Serpentine wood(Rauvolfia serpentina) It's produced by other ethnobotanicals as well, including from the genera Alstonia, Aspidosperma, Cabucala, Melodinus, Rauvolfia, Tonduzia, and Vinca of the Apocynaceae plant family.[4]
Solubility: n/a Properties: Used for heart arrhythmia in modern medicine;Ajmaline[1] It's an anti-arrhythmic drug;[2] "Ajmaline produces potent sodium channel blocking effects and a very short half-life which makes it a very useful drug for acute intravenous treatments"[3] Receptors Effected: n/a Synonyms: Cardiorthmine[5], Gilurytmal, Ritmos, and Aritmina.[6]

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Anabasine - Tree Tobacco
Solubility: Soluble in most organic solvents; Properties: similar to nicotine and also useful as insecticide; Receptors Effected: nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist
Resource(s) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabasine

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Apigenin - Chamomile;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:

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Alpha-bisabolol - Chamomile
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:

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Phytochemical name: Alkylamides - Produced by(found in): Echinacea; Cacao(Chocolate)
Basics: What are Alklamides? "Alkylamides are a group of bioactive compounds that can be obtained from natural sources such as the plant families of Aristolochiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Convolvulaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Menispermaceae, Piperaceae, Poaceae, Rutaceae, and Solanaceae"[27]
Solubility: ?

Medicinal Properties: "In general, alkylamides have been reported to have several biological activities and pharmacological effects which include immunomodulatory, antithrombotic, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antiprotozoal activities. "[27] Non-psychoactive Cannabinoids Immunomodulatory;

Receptors Effected: Cannabinoid[x][x]

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Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid - Frankincense

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Phytochemicals Name: Aporphine Alkaloids: - Blue lotus;, Cassytha filiformis[x], Antizoma angustifolia[33]
"Aporphine alkaloids are primarily distributed within the families of Annonaceae, followed by Ranunculaceae, Nymphaeaceae, Lauraceae, papaveraceae, Menispermaceae and Magnoliaceae, which include various Chinese medicinal plants such as Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn, Thalictrum foetidum, and Thalictrum cultratum."[31]
Basics: "Aporphine alkaloids (AAs, also called aporphinoids) are a class of isoquinoline alkaloids generally characterized by a tetracyclic aromatic basic N-containing skeleton."[31] "Aporphine alkaloids(plural) are secondary metabolites found common throughout the plant kingdom, including Nymphaeaceae, Ranunculaceae and Annonaceae."[31] This is good news because now I can try new plants that produce it in hopes of discovering the psychoactivity of these alkaloids, because I've never noticed any effects from trying the "blue lotus" that's on the market.
"Aporphine alkaloids are mainly classified into seven subtypes based on various substitution and planar conformations, such as simple aporphines, oxoaporphines, oxoisoaporphines, dehydroaporphines, proaporphines, aristolactams, and phenanthrene-type alkaloids."[31] Interesting fact that illustrates Aporphine's relationship to Morphine: "Apomorphine, a semi-synthetic drug currently used to treat Parkinson’s disease, has one tertiary amine (aliphatic) and two aromatic hydroxyls, which is produced by reacting morphine with ZnCl2 or hydrochloric acid.[31]
Solubility: Water and alcohol;[34]

Medicinal Properties: "Aporphine alkaloids significantly inhibited the initiation, development and metastasis of tumor by regulating cellular functions and immune response, such as perturbation of cell cycle, programmed cell death and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Aporphine alkaloids also play the key role in inhibiting the cancer cell proliferation through glycolytic pathway."[31]

Receptors Effected: Aporphine is a dopamine receptor agonist targeting the D1 and D2 receptors.[32]

Degradation Notes: Aporphine alkaloids are a group of compounds sensitive to both light and heat.[31]
O.G. Observations: While it is claimed that Blue Lotus is "psychoactive", I have yet to experience any effects from it. This could be due to poor sourcing on behalf of vendors, old product that has lost potency over time, or perhaps the psychoactive components of this specimen exist in such small quantities within the plant material that it is pharmacologically null.

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Phytochemical name: Atropine - Atropa BellaDonna(Deadly Nightshade), Mandrake, Datura(Brugmansia arborea), Scopolia carniolica, , and it is generally produced by scopolamine producing plants
Solubility: Pharmacological Properties/Medical Use: Receptors Effected:

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Phytochemical name: Benzoin resin - Ethnobotanical source(s): Styrax tonkinensis;
Solubility: ethanol(alcohol) and chloroform preferred;[7] Pharmacological Properties: antioxidant;[7] Receptors Effected:
Quick Facts: "Nowadays, the use of benzoin resin has not only been used as incense and fragrances because of its fixative effects but also used as flavor enhancers in the food industry and an antioxidant in the cosmetics industry. The phytotherapeutic effects of benzoin resins are also used in the pharmaceutical industry. In reality, benzoin resin in the Asian region has been used in erythema, wound healing, and cough."[7]
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Phytochemical name: Caffeic acid - Produced by: Damiana(Turnera diffusa); Red Pepper; "Many other plant products contain caffeic acid, including apples, plums, lingonberries, black chokeberries, and many herbs of the mint family, e.g., sage, thyme, oregano, marjoram, oregano, or spearmint. Black chokeberries seem to be the most potent source of caffeic acid (645 mg/100 g of dry weight). In comparison, the caffeic acid content in coffee ranges from 9 to 14 mg/100 g or up to 87 mg/100 g. Other sources of caffeic acid are its naturally occurring esters: chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid phenethyl ester.[21]
Basics: "Caffeic acid (CA) is a polyphenol produced through the secondary metabolism of vegetables, including olives, coffee beans, fruits.. etc"[17]
Solubility: "Sparingly soluble in cold water. Freely soluble in hot water, cold alcohol."[20]

Properties: Antioxidant[19];

Receptors Effected: Caffeic acid exhibits the highest binding affinity against the 5HT3, D2, and M5 receptors.[18]
5HT3, D2, and M5 receptors explained: 5HT3 Receptor: What is it? According to Florida State University: "The 5-HT3 receptor is a cation-selective ion channel capable of mediating fast excitatory neurotransmission in the CNS(Central Nervous System) and peripheral nervous."[22] | D2 Receptor: What is the D2 receptor? "The dopamine (DA) D2 receptor (D2R) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is a common target for antipsychotic drugs"[23] and: "Dopamine D2-autoreceptors play a key role in regulating the activity of dopamine neurons and control the synthesis, release and uptake of dopamine."[24] M5 Receptor: It's the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, also known as M5.[25] "Muscarinic receptors are involved in peristalsis, micturition, bronchoconstriction, and several other parasympathetic reactions."[26]
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Coumarins - Chamomile; Tonka bean;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Cystine
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Camphor - Acorus calamus ( sweet flag ); The camphor bush; Sassafras
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Cichoric acid - Echinacea;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Caffeine - Japanese green tea; Guarana; Kola nut; Chocolate
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Phytochemical name: Dopamine() - Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea gigantea); Cowage ( a precursor to dopamine known as L-dopa); The human brain.
Solubility: Water Properties: It plays several important roles in the brain and body; Receptors Effected: dopamine receptors :)
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Elemicin - Nutmeg;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Ephedrine - Ma huang ( Ephedra sinica );
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Ergot Alkaloids [ Ergine, Ergometrine, lysergic acid α-hydroxyethylamide (LSH), LSA, penniclavine, chanoclavine, and lysergol ] - Hawaiian Baby Woodrose; Morning Glories; Ololiuqui; Rivea corymbosa; Argyreia nervosa; Ergot Fungus
Solubility: Water[yes]; Properties: Sedative; Psychedelic; Oneirogenic; Receptors Effected: Serotonin; Dopamine; "α" receptors; Law[Controlled/Plants Are Grey Area];
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Eugenol - Myrrh; Sassafras; Clove oil; Nutmeg; Cinnamon; Basil; Bay leaf; Lemon Balm; Dill; Vanilla; Celery;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Eucalyptol - Eucalyptus
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Eugenol - Myrrh
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Echinacoside - Echinacea;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Flavanoids - Just about every plant.
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Phytochemical name: Harmala - Bobinsana; Syrian rue; B. caapi ( ayahuasca vine ); Passion flower
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Harmaline - Bobinsana; Syrian rue; B. caapi ( ayahuasca vine ); Passion flower
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Hypericin - St Johns Wort
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Kavalactones - Kava kava
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Phytochemical name: Mescaline; Scientific Name: [ 3,4,5-trimethoxy-ß-phenethylamine ]; - Achuma [ Trichocereus bridgesii ]; Peyote San Pedro [ T. pachanoi ]; Astrophytum myriostigma; Saguaro [ Carnegiea gigantea ]; Trichocereus terscheckii;
Solubility:Water[yes]; Alcohol[?]; Properties: Psychedelic; Law:[Controlled] Receptors Effected:[serotonin receptor agonist]
Erowid Mescaline Vault Wikipedia List Of Psychoactive Cacti[Cactus]
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Mesembrine - Kanna;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Mesembrenone - Kanna;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Mesembrenol - Kanna;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Myristicin - Nutmeg; Sassafras (alcohol soluble; not water soluble)
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Muscimol - Amanita muscaria; Amanita pantherina
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Phytochemical Name: Menthol - Mint
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Phytochemical Name: Melatonin - Feverfew; St Johns Wort Flowers;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Phytochemical Name: Mucilage; Mullein; Slippery Elm; Sassafras; Myrrh
Basics: "Mucilage is a thick, sticky substance produced by almost all plants and some microorganisms. Gums and mucilages have certain similarities; both are plant hydrocolloids."[28] For composting: Mucilage helps lubricate the root's passage through the soil and benefits in water absorption.[29] For health: "Mucilages have been reported to modulate intestinal microbiota due to their prebiotic activity. Mucilage has antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects."[30]
A prebiotic is: "Certain plant-based food-derived substances that help feed the good bacteria in your child's gut are called prebiotics."(via: https://www.chop.edu/health-resources/food-medicine-prebiotic-foods)
Solubility:

Properties: prebiotic[30]; antioxidant[30]; immunomodulatory[30];

Receptors Effected: ?
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Mitragynine - Kratom
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Phytochemical name: Narcotine(Noscapine) - Opium Poppy, Corydalis solida, Corydalis ophiocarpa
Solubility: "Practically insoluble in water, soluble in acetone, slightly soluble in ethanol(96%). It dissolves in strong acids; on dilution of the solution with water, the base may be precipitated."[13]

Properties: antitussive[8] antineoplastic agent[11]; An apoptosis inducer[11]; analgesic[11]; antineoplastic[11]; antimitotic[11];

Receptors Effected: sigma opioid receptors[11][12]
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Phytochemical name: Nicotine - Cowage(Mucuna pruriens), Tobacco(Nicotiana rustica), Acacia rigidula
Solubility: Water[14]

Properties: Stimulant[15]; Nootropic(cognitive-enhancing)[16]

Receptors Effected: "Recent studies have demonstrated that the α4, β2, and α7 subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) participate in the cognitive-enhancing effects of nicotine."[16]
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Phytochemical name: Nuciferine - Blue lotus
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Oxysparteine - Scotch broom;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Pantheogenic acid - feverfew
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Phytochemical name: Passiflorine - Passion flower
Solubility: Properties: Sedative; Receptors Effected:
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Phytochemical name: Phenethylamine - Cacao(Chocolate)
Solubility: Water, Ethanol, Ether. Properties: CNS Stimulant;[?] Receptors Effected:
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1-Phenethylamine
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Piperine - Black pepper
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Polyphenols - Echinacea;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Phenols - Echinacea;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Quercetin - Chamomile; Cherries; Brocoli
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Rutin - Chamomile;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Serotonin - Cowage; The human brain.
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Safrole - Sassafrass root; Cinnamon; Nutmeg
Solubility: insoluble in water (sinks in water) Properties: psychoactive Receptors Effected:
Resource(s): https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/safrole#section=Top
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Salicylic acid - White Willow Bark
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Scopolamine - Datura; Henbane; Mandrake; Bella-donna;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
Sparteine - Scotch broom; (slightly soluble in water and even more in alchol)
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Scoparin - Scotch broom; ( soluble in alcohol and hot water )
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Phytochemical name: Sparteine - Scotch broom; ( water soluble )
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Thujone - Wormwood; Sassafras; Mugwort; Damiana; Oregano; Sage
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Phytochemical name: Tortuosamine - Kanna;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Phytochemical name: Tropine - Datura;
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Phytochemical name: Theobromine - Chocolate; Tea; Kola Nut
Solubility: Properties: Receptors Effected:
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Ethnobotanicals and their phytochemicals

Statements and items are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure, any ailments, conditions, or diseases. That would be terrible right? Not evaluated or approved by the FDA. Consult your healthcare provider first. I hope your healthcare provider is the Lord.
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Academic citations:

[2] https://connects.catalyst.harvard.edu/Profiles/display/Concept/Ajmaline

[3] https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Ajmaline

[4] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/ajmaline

[5] https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6100671

[7] William M. Haynes (2016). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (97th ed.). Boca Raton: CRC Press. p. 3-40. ISBN 978-1-4987-5429-3.

[11] Narcotine is a synonym for noscapine(They're the same drug): https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Noscapine

[12] The Sigma Receptor: Evolution of the Concept in Neuropsychopharmacology | PMCID: PMC2268997 PMID: 18369400 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2268997/

[13] Licensed Chemical Supplier For Research Labs: https://www.chemicalbook.com/ChemicalProductProperty_EN_CB8468501.htm

[14] Temperature and Salting out Effects on Nicotine Dissolution Kinetics in Saline Solutions | PMCID: PMC7160829 PMID: 32309681 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7160829/

[15] UC Davis University: https://shcs.ucdavis.edu/health-topic/nicotine

[16] Cognitive Effects of Nicotine: Recent Progress | PMCID: PMC6018192 PMID: 29110618 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6018192/

[17] Chemical and Pharmacological Aspects of Caffeic Acid and Its Activity in Hepatocarcinoma | PMCID: PMC6598430 PMID: 31293975 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6598430/

[18] Bhuia, M. S., Ferdous, J., Chowdhury, R., Ansari, S. A., Ansari, I. A., Al Hasan, M. S., ... & Islam, M. T. (2025). Exploring the Antiemetic Potential of Caffeic Acid: A Combined In Vivo and Computational Approach. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 37(6), e70003.

[19] https://www.science.gov/topicpages/c/caffeic+acid+chlorogenic

[20] PubChem: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Caffeic-Acid

[21] Caffeic Acid and Diseases—Mechanisms of Action PMCID: PMC9820408 PMID: 36614030 | Nela Pavlíková | Editors: Magdalena Cal, Zsolt Szakonyi | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9820408/

[22] Florida State University: https://www.bio.fsu.edu/~dfadool/JennJordan2.pdf

[23] New Concepts in Dopamine D2 Receptor Biased Signaling and Implications for Schizophrenia Therapy PMCID: PMC5702557 NIHMSID: NIHMS919202 PMID: 27832841 | Nikhil M Urs a, Sean M Peterson a, Marc G Caron a,b,c | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5702557/

[24] The Role of D2-Autoreceptors in Regulating Dopamine Neuron Activity and Transmission PMCID: PMC4108583 NIHMSID: NIHMS559661 PMID: 24463000 Christopher P Ford https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4108583/

[25] The Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor M5: Therapeutic Implications and Allosteric Modulation https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30280567/

[26] Kudlak M, Tadi P. Physiology, Muscarinic Receptor. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555909/

[27] Elufioye, T. O., Habtemariam, S., & Adejare, A. (2020). Chemistry and pharmacology of alkylamides from natural origin. Revista brasileira de farmacognosia, 30(5), 622-640. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7546144/

[28] Amiri, M. S., Mohammadzadeh, V., Yazdi, M. E. T., Barani, M., Rahdar, A., & Kyzas, G. Z. (2021). Plant-based gums and mucilages applications in pharmacology and nanomedicine: a review. Molecules, 26(6), 1770. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8004199/

[29] Virginia Tech University: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/SPES/spes-508/spes-508.html

[30] Dybka-Stępień, K., Otlewska, A., Góźdź, P., & Piotrowska, M. (2021). The renaissance of plant mucilage in health promotion and industrial applications: A review. Nutrients, 13(10), 3354. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8539170/

[31] Sun, J., Zhan, X., Wang, W., Yang, X., Liu, Y., Yang, H., ... & Yang, H. (2024). Natural aporphine alkaloids: A comprehensive review of phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, anticancer activities, and clinical application. Journal of Advanced Research, 63, 231-253. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11380034/

[32] Goldman ME, Kebabian JW (January 1984). "Aporphine enantiomers. Interactions with D-1 and D-2 dopamine receptors". Molecular Pharmacology. 25 (1): 18–23. doi:10.1016/S0026-895X(25)14947-X. PMID 6231468.

[33] PubChem: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Aporphine

[34] Zhang, Maosheng & Liang, Guangyi & Yu, Jianping & Pan, Wei-Dong. (2010). Aporphine alkaloids from the roots of Stephania viridiflavens. Natural product research. 24. 1243-7. 10.1080/14786410903125393.

Book Citations:

[1] Balick, Michael J., and Paul Alan Cox. Plants, People, and Culture : The Science of Ethnobotany. New York, Garland Science, 2020.

[10] Gottlieb, Adam. Peyote and Other Psychoactive Cacti. Ronin Publishing, 15 June 2009.

[9] Swerdlow, Joel L. Nature’s Medicine : Plants That Heal. Washington, D.C., National Geographic Society, 2000.

[8] Tyler, Varro E, et al. Pharmacognosy. 1988.

Other sources/operations:

850.NEWS

Encyclopedia Sources:

[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajmaline#cite_note-Neo-gilurythman-4

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