Alkaloids Menispermaceae family: a new source of compounds selective for beta-adrenergic receptors

Pharmacological receptors are important because they produce an interaction with drugs leading to a pharmacological response. The β₁ and β₂ adrenergic receptors are found in cardiac muscle and bronchial tissue, as well as cardiomyocytes. The family Menispermaceae comprises over 70 genera with a wide global distribution, many having different pharmacological activities. Several secondary metabolites, particularly alkaloids, have been isolated from this family. The aim of this study was to evaluate a number of alkaloids and their affinity to β₁ and β₂ adrenergic receptors. Therefore, applied-based virtual screening of ligands associated with screening based on the virtual structure of a small data set of 786 secondary metabolites of the Menispermaceae family from an in-house database was undertaken. The multitarget selectivity of the alkaloid dauricine (482) was observed for inhibiting β₁ adrenergic receptors and activating β₂ adrenergic receptors. These compounds can be used as starting points for studies of proposed structures for cardioprotective and/or antiasthmatic activity.