Abstract
This review gives a brief overview over the major aspects of application of the nicotine alkaloid and its close derivatives in the therapy of some neurodegenerative disorders and diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Tourette's syndrome, schizophrenia etc.). The issues concerning methods of nicotine analysis and isolation, and some molecular aspects of nicotine pharmacology are included. The natural and synthetic analogues of nicotine that are considered for medical practice are also mentioned. The molecular properties of two naturally occurring nicotine enantiomers are compared--the less-common but less-toxic (R)-nicotine is suggested as a natural compound that may find its place in pharmaceutical practice.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Drugs, Investigational / pharmacology*
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Drugs, Investigational / therapeutic use
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Humans
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Isomerism
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Neurodegenerative Diseases / drug therapy*
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Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
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Nicotiana* / chemistry
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Nicotine / analogs & derivatives
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Nicotine / isolation & purification
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Nicotine / metabolism
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Nicotine / pharmacology*
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Nicotine / therapeutic use
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Nicotinic Agonists / isolation & purification
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Nicotinic Agonists / metabolism
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Nicotinic Agonists / pharmacology*
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Nicotinic Agonists / therapeutic use
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Receptors, Nicotinic / drug effects
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Receptors, Nicotinic / metabolism
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Technology, Pharmaceutical / methods
Substances
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Drugs, Investigational
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Nicotinic Agonists
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Receptors, Nicotinic
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Nicotine