Sinomenine or cocculine is an alkaloid found in the root of the climbing plant ''

Sinomenium acutum ''Sinomenium'' is a genus of plant in family Menispermaceae first described as a genus in 1910. It contains only one known species, ''Sinomenium acutum'', native to China, northern India, Nepal, Japan, northern Thailand, and also Korea. Fossil r ...

'' which is native to Japan and China. The plant is traditionally used in

herbal medicine Herbal medicine (also herbalism) is the study of pharmacognosy and the use of medicinal plants, which are a basis of traditional medicine. With worldwide research into pharmacology, some herbal medicines have been translated into modern remed ...

in these countries for

rheumatism Rheumatism or rheumatic disorders are conditions causing chronic, often intermittent pain affecting the joints or connective tissue. Rheumatism does not designate any specific disorder, but covers at least 200 different conditions, including art ...

and

arthritis Arthritis is a term often used to mean any disorder that affects joints. Symptoms generally include joint pain and stiffness. Other symptoms may include redness, warmth, swelling, and decreased range of motion of the affected joints. In som ...

. However, its analgesic action against other kinds of pain is limited. Sinomenine is a morphinan derivative, related to opioids such as levorphanol and the non-opioid cough suppressant dextromethorphan. Its anti-rheumatic effects are thought to be primarily mediated via release of histamine, but other effects such as inhibition of

prostaglandin The prostaglandins (PG) are a group of physiologically active lipid compounds called eicosanoids having diverse hormone-like effects in animals. Prostaglandins have been found in almost every tissue in humans and other animals. They are derive ...

, leukotriene and

nitric oxide Nitric oxide (nitrogen oxide or nitrogen monoxide) is a colorless gas with the formula . It is one of the principal oxides of nitrogen. Nitric oxide is a free radical: it has an unpaired electron, which is sometimes denoted by a dot in its che ...

synthesis may also be involved.

References

{{Glycinergics Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids Morphinans Phenols Phenol ethers Ethers Ketones GABAA receptor antagonists Glycine receptor antagonists

See also

References