Noscapine
Noscapine
Noscapine (pronounced /nɒˈskæpiːn/), also known as narcotine, nosophen, or papaverine, is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid derived from the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum.
Etymology
The term "Noscapine" is derived from the Greek words "noso" meaning disease and "kapnos" meaning smoke, referring to its traditional use in cough remedies.
Usage
Noscapine is primarily used as a cough suppressant due to its non-narcotic antitussive properties. It is also being studied for its potential use in the treatment of cancer, as it has been shown to affect the cell cycle and induce apoptosis in cancer cells.
Pharmacology
Noscapine's antitussive effects are believed to be caused by its action on the dopamine receptors in the brain, specifically the D2 and D3 receptors. Its potential anticancer effects are thought to be due to its ability to interfere with the process of microtubule assembly, which is crucial for cell division.
Related Terms
- Alkaloid
- Antitussive
- Apoptosis
- Benzylisoquinoline
- Cancer
- Cough suppressant
- Dopamine
- Microtubule
- Opium poppy
- Papaver somniferum
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Noscapine
- Wikipedia's article - Noscapine
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