Convolamine ( Convolvulaceae Tropane Alkaloid): Anticholinergic Agent, Botanical Curiosity

Convolamine is a lesser-known tropane alkaloid found in the Convolvulaceae family, sharing structural and pharmacological similarities with its famous cousin atropine, but with a distinct profile that intrigues researchers studying anticholinergic compounds and their neurological effects.

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1. Overview:

Convolamine is a tropane alkaloid occurring naturally in plants of the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). It functions as an anticholinergic agent, competitively inhibiting muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. This activity places it within the same pharmacological class as atropine and scopolamine, though with potentially different receptor subtype selectivity and potency.

2. Origin & Common Forms:

Primarily isolated from plants in the genus Convolvulus (bindweeds) and related species. It is not commercially available as a standalone supplement but is encountered in research contexts as a purified reference standard or as a component of complex botanical extracts.

3. Common Supplemental Forms: Standard & Enhanced

· Research Standard: Available only as a high-purity chemical (e.g., Convolamine hydrochloride) for pharmacological and phytochemical studies.

· Botanical Extracts: May be present in trace amounts within traditional herbal preparations of Convolvulus species, but never standardized or marketed for this specific compound.

4. Natural Origin:

· Sources: Found in various Convolvulus species (e.g., Convolvulus pluricaulis), Erythroxylum species, and possibly other plants within the Convolvulaceae and Erythroxylaceae families.

· Precursors: Biosynthesized in plants from ornithine and phenylalanine-derived moieties, via the classic tropane alkaloid pathway shared with cocaine, atropine, and scopolamine.

5. Synthetic / Man-made:

· Process: Can be synthesized chemically, but most available material is derived from plant extraction due to low market demand. Its synthesis would follow established routes for 3-substituted tropanes.

6. Commercial Production:

· Precursors: Harvested aerial parts or roots of source plants.

· Process: Involves solvent extraction, acid-base workup to isolate the alkaloidal fraction, and chromatographic purification to obtain convolamine specifically.

· Purity & Efficacy: Research-grade purity (>95%) is required for meaningful studies. Its "efficacy" is defined by its receptor binding affinity (Ki values) in vitro.

7. Key Considerations:

A Research Tool with Pharmacological Legacy. Convolamine is primarily of interest to phytochemists and pharmacologists studying structure-activity relationships within the tropane class. Its presence contributes to the overall bioactivity of traditional plants but is not considered a target for nutraceutical development due to the risks associated with anticholinergics.

8. Structural Similarity:

A 3-tigloyloxy-substituted nortropane. It is structurally very similar to tropine but esterified with tiglic acid. This makes it an analog of atropine (tropine + tropic acid) and scopolamine, dictating its muscarinic receptor affinity.

9. Biofriendliness:

· Utilization: As a tertiary amine tropane alkaloid, it is lipid-soluble and expected to cross the blood-brain barrier, leading to central nervous system effects.

· Metabolism & Excretion: Presumed to be metabolized by esterases and hepatic enzymes, similar to other tropane esters. Specific human data is lacking.

· Toxicity: Expected to exhibit classic anticholinergic toxicity: dry mouth, blurred vision, tachycardia, urinary retention, constipation, confusion, and hallucinations at higher doses.

10. Known Benefits (Clinically Supported):

No human clinical trials or established therapeutic uses exist. Preclinical research and traditional use of source plants suggest potential, but unverified, effects:

· Traditional Indications: Convolvulus pluricaulis is used in Ayurveda for cognitive support and anxiety, but this is attributed to a complex mixture of compounds, not convolamine in isolation.

· Research Activity: In vitro, it demonstrates binding to muscarinic receptors, suggesting potential for affecting memory, smooth muscle tone, and glandular secretion.

11. Purported Mechanisms:

· Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Antagonism: Competitively blocks M1-M5 receptor subtypes, inhibiting parasympathetic nervous system activity.

· Central Nervous System Penetration: Likely causes central anticholinergic effects, which could theoretically produce both cognitive disruption (amnesia) or, at very low doses, paradoxical stimulation.

12. Other Possible Benefits Under Research:

· Investigation as a molecular probe for studying muscarinic receptor subtypes.

· Study of its role in the ethnopharmacology of plants used for ritual or medicinal purposes.

· Potential insecticidal properties due to its neuroactive nature.

13. Side Effects:

· Based on Anticholinergic Class: Dry mouth (xerostomia), dilated pupils (mydriasis), blurred vision, increased heart rate (tachycardia), difficulty urinating, and cognitive dysfunction (confusion, amnesia).

· Overdose: Can lead to severe anticholinergic syndrome: hyperthermia, hallucinations, seizures, respiratory depression, and coma.

14. Dosing & How to Take:

There is no established safe or effective dose for human consumption. It is not a supplement. In research, in vitro concentrations are typically in the micromolar range to assess receptor binding.

15. Tips to Optimize Benefits:

Not applicable for human use. For research, benefits are optimized through careful experimental design.

16. Not to Exceed / Warning / Interactions:

· CRITICAL WARNING: Not for human consumption. A potent anticholinergic compound.

· Drug Interactions (Theoretical): Would have dangerous additive effects with other anticholinergic drugs (e.g., first-generation antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, scopolamine, atropine). Would antagonize the effects of cholinergic drugs (e.g., pilocarpine, donepezil).

17. LD50 & Safety:

· Acute Toxicity (LD50): Specific data is scarce. Based on its class, the LD50 in rodents is likely in the range of 100-500 mg/kg orally.

· Human Safety: No safety data. Its pharmacological profile indicates a high risk of adverse effects at low doses.

18. Consumer Guidance:

· Label Literacy: Will only appear on labels of research chemicals or in phytochemical analysis certificates for botanical extracts.

· Quality Assurance: Researchers should source from specialized chemical suppliers.

· Manage Expectations: It is a phytochemical of academic interest. Consumers should avoid any product claiming to contain or be standardized to convolamine, as this would be unsafe and irresponsible.