Akuammiline (Akuamma Indole Alkaloid · Caged Scaffold · Informational)
Compiled from published pharmacological and botanical literature. Not independently verified by Herbuno. Spotted an error or have a correction? Flag it below →
| Compound | Akuammiline |
| Chemical class | Alkaloid — Indole (akuammiline-type caged monoterpenoid indole alkaloid) |
| CAS | 5629-60-7 |
| Primary source | Picralima nitida (akuamma) seeds — minor alkaloid |
| Key applications | Parent of the akuammiline structural class; opioid-receptor research context; informational-only |
| Claim strength | Emerging |
| Typical form | Research reference; not offered as a supplement ingredient |
| Buy from Herbuno | Informational reference — see HerbIQ Compound Index → |
Name origin: Akuammiline is named from akuamma, the West African name for Picralima nitida, and it lends that name in turn to the akuammiline alkaloids — a structural class defined by a distinctive caged architecture arising from a C7-C16 bond that bridges the indole core. That single bond converts an otherwise ordinary monoterpenoid indole skeleton into an intricate polycyclic cage, and it is the defining feature of the family. Traditional use: Akuamma seed has been used in West African, particularly Ghanaian, traditional medicine for pain, fever, and malaria. Akuammiline has no independent traditional identity, occurring as one of several alkaloids in the seed; its importance is as a structural archetype rather than as a headline active. Research trajectory: Akuammiline is significant on two fronts. Pharmacologically, it was among the five purified akuamma alkaloids screened against a panel of more than 40 central-nervous-system receptors in work that identified the opioid receptors as the primary targets of this alkaloid family, establishing a coherent group pharmacology even where individual potencies differ Creed 2021. Structurally, it is the archetype of the akuammiline class — which also includes akuammine and picraline among the akuamma alkaloids — and the caged framework of these compounds has made them a celebrated and demanding target in total synthesis, driving substantial methodological innovation. Safety context: As a member of an opioid-receptor-active alkaloid family, akuammiline is documented here as a factual research and chemical-family reference and is not offered as an ingredient.
Evidence for Akuammiline Applications
Opioid-receptor family membership: Akuammiline was one of five purified akuamma alkaloids evaluated against a panel of more than 40 CNS receptors, in a study that identified the opioid receptors as the primary targets of the family as a whole Creed 2021. Its individual potency is less well defined than that of akuammicine, the standout kappa agonist of the group, or akuammidine, the clearest mu agonist. Claim strength: Emerging.
Structural-class parent: Akuammiline defines the akuammiline alkaloids, a class characterised by a caged polycyclic architecture built on a C7-C16 bond; the class encompasses akuammine and picraline among the akuamma alkaloids and extends across the Apocynaceae. Claim strength: Emerging.
Total-synthesis target: The structural intricacy of the akuammiline cage has made this family a recurring and prestigious target in total synthesis, and the methods developed to construct the caged core have contributed broadly to synthetic organic chemistry beyond this particular alkaloid group. Claim strength: Emerging.
High-purity isolation: Akuammiline was obtained in high purity, in quantities sufficient for extensive biological evaluation, through a pH-zone-refining countercurrent chromatography protocol developed specifically for the akuamma alkaloids — a methodological advance that made systematic pharmacological study of the whole family possible for the first time Creed 2021. Claim strength: Emerging.
Minor seed constituent: Akuammiline is a minor alkaloid of akuamma seed relative to the dominant akuammine, so its contribution to whole-seed pharmacology is limited by abundance as well as by its comparatively modest individual activity Creed 2021. Claim strength: Emerging.
This compound is documented for research and formulator education purposes. For commercially available botanical ingredients, explore the HerbIQ Compound Index →
Dosage & Formulator Specification
Akuammiline is documented here for research and formulator education only; Herbuno does not offer it as an ingredient, and no established human dose exists. It belongs to an opioid-receptor-active alkaloid family, which places it outside the botanical ingredient range, and no supplement-grade material exists.
Its practical significance is analytical and structural rather than commercial. Akuammiline is one of the alkaloids resolved when akuamma seed is profiled chromatographically, and its isolation in high purity was itself a methodological achievement: the pH-zone-refining countercurrent chromatography protocol developed for this family was what finally made systematic pharmacological evaluation of the akuamma alkaloids possible, having previously been limited by the difficulty of obtaining them cleanly and in quantity.
For the chemist, the akuammiline cage is the compound's real claim to attention. The C7-C16 bond that defines the class converts a conventional monoterpenoid indole skeleton into a strained polycyclic architecture, and reproducing that framework synthetically has occupied a great deal of methodological effort. This is a case where a compound's importance lies substantially in what it has taught synthetic chemistry rather than in any therapeutic or commercial application.
This monograph provides chemical, structural, and pharmacological context within the HerbIQ index, situating akuammiline as the archetype of its structural class and alongside the other akuamma alkaloids covered elsewhere, and does not constitute sourcing guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions — Akuammiline
What is akuammiline?
Akuammiline is a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid of Picralima nitida (akuamma) seeds and the parent of the akuammiline structural class, a caged alkaloid family defined by a distinctive C7-C16 bond. It is a minor seed constituent studied chiefly for its structure and its opioid-receptor engagement.
What does akuammiline do?
Receptor-panel screening of the purified akuamma alkaloids against more than 40 CNS targets identified the opioid receptors as their primary site of action, and akuammiline was among the five alkaloids evaluated in that screen. Its individual pharmacology is less well defined than that of akuammicine or akuammidine.
Why is the akuammiline class important in chemistry?
The akuammiline alkaloids possess an intricate caged polycyclic architecture that has made them a celebrated target in total synthesis. The class includes akuammine and picraline among the akuamma alkaloids, and its structural complexity has driven substantial methodological innovation in synthetic organic chemistry.
Why is akuammiline informational-only?
It belongs to a family of opioid-receptor-active alkaloids, and compounds with opioid activity carry safety considerations that place them outside Herbuno's botanical ingredient range. This page documents akuammiline factually as a chemical-family reference.
Related compounds: Akuammine, Akuammicine, Akuammidine, Sarpagine
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
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