Coronaridine (Iboga-type Indole Alkaloid · 18-MC Anti-addiction Precursor · Voacanga)

Compound	Coronaridine (18-Carboxycoronaridine; Ibogamine-18-carboxylic acid methyl ester)
Chemical class	Alkaloid — Indole (Iboga-type MIA; C-18 carboxymethyl ibogamine)
CAS	467-77-6
Primary source	Voacanga africana (bark/roots), Tabernanthe iboga (roots, minor alkaloid)
Key applications	Anti-addiction (opioid, nicotine, alcohol) research lead; analgesic; sigma receptor activity; availability on request
Claim strength	Moderate (preclinical anti-addiction); Emerging (human)
Typical form	Voacanga extract co-constituent; coronaridine isolate; 18-MC (synthetic analogue in clinical trials)
Buy from Herbuno	Request availability and bulk pricing →

Name origin: From corono (Latin: crown) + ridine (alkaloid suffix); alternatively from Conopharyngia (a former name for Voacanga-related genera). Coronaridine is an iboga-type monoterpene indole alkaloid that co-occurs with voacangine in Voacanga africana and is present as a minor alkaloid in Tabernanthe iboga. Structurally, coronaridine differs from ibogaine by lacking the 12-methoxy group — a small structural difference with significant pharmacological implications. Research significance — 18-MC: Coronaridine is the parent compound for 18-methoxycoronaridine (18-MC) — a synthetic analogue developed at Albany Medical College (Mash laboratory) specifically as a non-hallucinogenic ibogaine alternative for addiction treatment. 18-MC retains ibogaine’s α3β4 nicotinic receptor blocking activity (the mechanism theorised to be responsible for anti-addiction effects) without ibogaine’s 5-HT2A agonism (responsible for hallucinations) and with reduced cardiac toxicity. 18-MC has progressed to Phase I/II clinical trials for opioid and nicotine use disorder — the most clinically advanced iboga-type alkaloid for addiction treatment. Commercial source: Not currently in the Herbuno catalogue. Contact Herbuno for Voacanga extract availability (co-source of coronaridine).

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Evidence for Coronaridine Applications

Anti-addiction — alpha3beta4 nAChR blocking: Coronaridine (and ibogaine) block α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors — a receptor subtype highly expressed in the medial habenula and interpeduncular nucleus (a circuit critical for nicotine aversion and addiction). α3β4 nAChR blockade reduces nicotine, opioid, and alcohol self-administration in animal models. This is the leading mechanistic hypothesis for iboga-type alkaloid anti-addiction activity. Coronaridine itself reduces morphine and nicotine self-administration in animal models. Claim strength: Moderate (animal; clinical via 18-MC analogue).

18-MC clinical programme: 18-Methoxycoronaridine (the synthetic coronaridine analogue) has completed Phase I safety trials in humans with acceptable safety profile. Phase II efficacy trials for opioid use disorder have been initiated. If 18-MC succeeds clinically, coronaridine becomes historically significant as the natural product from which the approved drug was derived. Claim strength: Emerging (Phase II clinical).

Analgesic and sigma receptor activity: Like voacangine, coronaridine has analgesic properties in animal models. It binds sigma-1 receptors, modulating pain signalling and potentially relevant to chronic pain management. Sigma-1 receptors are also involved in psychotomimetic effects and addiction circuitry — a complex pharmacological intersection. Claim strength: Moderate.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Coronaridine

What is 18-MC and how does it differ from ibogaine?
18-Methoxycoronaridine (18-MC) is a synthetic coronaridine analogue designed to retain ibogaine’s anti-addiction mechanism (α3β4 nAChR blockade) while eliminating ibogaine’s problems: (1) no 5-HT2A agonism — not hallucinogenic; (2) reduced QT prolongation — safer cardiac profile; (3) shorter duration of action than ibogaine. Clinical Phase I data confirmed acceptable safety in humans. This represents the drug development goal of a “safer ibogaine” — retaining anti-addiction efficacy without the psychedelic experience or cardiac risk that complicate ibogaine’s clinical use.

Is coronaridine available as a supplement ingredient?
No — coronaridine is a research compound with no established supplement supply chain. It is available as a research-grade analytical standard. The voacangine/coronaridine mixture from Voacanga africana extract is not formulated for supplement use. Given the psychoactive and cardiac considerations associated with iboga-type alkaloids as a class, supplement formulation of coronaridine would require significant safety data development before being appropriate.

Does coronaridine cause hallucinations like ibogaine?
Coronaridine has weaker 5-HT2A agonism than ibogaine — the primary receptor responsible for ibogaine’s visionary and dissociative effects. At doses relevant to the anti-addiction animal model data, coronaridine does not produce ibogaine-intensity hallucinations. However, as an iboga-type alkaloid, dose-dependent psychoactive effects cannot be ruled out at higher exposures. The synthetic analogue 18-MC was specifically engineered to eliminate 5-HT2A activity.

What is the difference between coronaridine and voacangine?
Both are iboga-type MIA alkaloids from Voacanga africana. Voacangine has a 18-OH group (hydroxyl at C-18), while coronaridine has a 18-carboxymethyl group (methyl ester at C-18). This structural difference affects receptor binding profiles: voacangine is the pharmaceutical precursor to ibogaine (deoxygenation of 18-OH gives 18-H ibogamine); coronaridine is the direct parent of 18-MC (methoxy substitution of the C-18 methyl ester position). Both have related but distinct pharmacological profiles.

Related compounds: Voacangine, Harmine, Strychnine, Tryptamine

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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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