Dauricine (Bisbenzylisoquinoline Alkaloid · Anti-arrhythmic · Anti-inflammatory)
| Compound | Dauricine |
| Chemical class | Alkaloid — Isoquinoline (Bisbenzylisoquinoline) |
| CAS | 524-17-4 |
| Primary source | Menispermum dauricum (Asian moonseed), Menispermum canadense |
| Key applications | Anti-arrhythmic, anti-inflammatory, antitumour, calcium channel |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | Menispermum extract; isolated dauricine |
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Commercial source: Menispermum dauricum root extract is commercially available from specialist botanical suppliers, with dauricine as the primary alkaloid. Isolated dauricine is available from specialist chemical suppliers as a research-grade material. Contact Herbuno for availability assessment. Traditional use: Menispermum dauricum (Bai Mao Teng, northern moonseed) has been used in TCM for anti-inflammatory, anti-arrhythmic, and analgesic applications. The plant is used for rheumatic conditions, cardiac arrhythmias, and inflammatory conditions in Chinese folk medicine. Dauricine is identified as the primary alkaloid responsible for these activities. Research trajectory: Dauricine has a well-characterised anti-arrhythmic mechanism via sodium and potassium channel blockade. Chinese clinical studies have used dauricine for cardiac arrhythmia management. Anti-inflammatory and antitumour preclinical evidence is also documented. It is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid related structurally to tetrandrine. See sourcing options below.
Evidence for Dauricine Applications
Anti-arrhythmic (sodium/potassium channel blockade): Dauricine blocks both sodium and potassium channels in cardiac electrophysiology, producing antiarrhythmic effects by prolonging the action potential duration and effective refractory period. Chinese clinical studies demonstrate efficacy for supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. Dauricine is one of the most clinically-used botanical anti-arrhythmic alkaloids in Chinese medicine. Claim strength: Moderate (Chinese clinical evidence; Western RCTs absent).
Anti-inflammatory: Dauricine inhibits NF-κB, COX-2, and inflammatory cytokine production in macrophage and joint cell models. Anti-inflammatory activity in arthritis animal models supports traditional use for rheumatic conditions. Claim strength: Moderate.
Antiproliferative: Dauricine induces apoptosis in cancer cell lines via mitochondrial pathway activation and Bcl-2/Bax ratio modulation. Antitumour activity in solid tumour animal models is documented. Claim strength: Moderate (preclinical).
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Dosage & Formulator Specification
Chinese pharmaceutical dauricine for arrhythmias: 30–90 mg/day oral. For supplement contexts, Menispermum dauricum extract at 200–400 mg/day delivering dauricine as the primary alkaloid is a working range. Isolated dauricine is available as a research chemical; pharmaceutical-grade preparations require licensed facilities. Contact Herbuno for Menispermum extract availability.
Safety consideration: Dauricine’s potassium channel blocking activity (IKr) could theoretically contribute to QT prolongation at higher doses — an important consideration for cardiac supplement formulations. Formulators should include advisory language for individuals with existing cardiac arrhythmias or on antiarrhythmic medications. This is a known concern for many potassium channel-blocking botanicals.
Frequently Asked Questions — Dauricine
Is dauricine related to tetrandrine from Stephania?
Both are bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids sharing the general structural class, but from different plant genera (Menispermum vs Stephania). Their pharmacological profiles overlap for anti-inflammatory and calcium channel activity but differ significantly for anti-arrhythmic specificity — dauricine has more dedicated anti-arrhythmic pharmacology than tetrandrine. Structurally, they differ in the connectivity and substitution pattern of the two benzylisoquinoline units.
Can dauricine be positioned for heart health supplements?
The anti-arrhythmic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms provide a rationale for heart health formulation positioning. Position as “studied to support healthy cardiac function and rhythm” rather than claiming treatment of arrhythmias (which requires pharmaceutical regulatory pathways). Given the cardiac pharmacological activity, include standard advisory language for individuals with cardiac conditions and those on antiarrhythmic medications.
Is Menispermum dauricum available in Western supplement markets?
Menispermum dauricum extract with dauricine content is available from specialist botanical suppliers primarily in China and Japan. Western market availability is limited. For formulators seeking dauricine activity in Western markets, the ingredient is at a stage of specialist botanical sourcing rather than mainstream supply chain availability.
Does dauricine have the same Aristolochia adulteration risk as tetrandrine/fangchinoline?
No — Menispermum species are botanically distinct from both Stephania and Aristolochia. Menispermum dauricum does not share the historical adulteration relationship with Aristolochia that makes Stephania fang ji products particularly high-risk. Standard botanical identity verification is appropriate, but the specific aristolochic acid testing requirement that applies to Stephania products is not the primary concern for Menispermum materials.
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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