The effects of caffeine on the cholinergic system

Mini Rev Med Chem. 2014;14(6):543-9. doi: 10.2174/1389557514666140529223436.

Abstract

Caffeine is a secondary metabolite of tea and coffee plants. It is the active psychostimulant ingredient of widely consumed beverages, chocolate and some drugs as well. The major pathways for caffeine including interaction with adenosine receptors have been identified but caffeine has several minor pathways as well that remain poorly understood including the cholinergic system. Given the role of caffeine in the cholinergic system, some molecular targets have been tracked and a mechanism of its action has been proposed in research studies. However, the biological effect of caffeine on the cholinergic system is not completely understood. The present review focuses on the role of caffeine in the cholinergic system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine / metabolism
  • Adenosine / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Caffeine / isolation & purification
  • Caffeine / pharmacology*
  • Cholinergic Agents / isolation & purification
  • Cholinergic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cholinesterases / metabolism
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Humans
  • Receptors, Cholinergic / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Cholinergic Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Receptors, Cholinergic
  • Caffeine
  • Cholinesterases
  • Adenosine
  • Acetylcholine