Peimine — Verticine (Steroidal Alkaloid · Fritillaria · Antitussive · TCM Respiratory)

Compound	Peimine (Verticine)
Chemical class	Alkaloid — Steroidal Alkaloid (Cevanine-type isosteroidal alkaloid)
CAS	18059-10-4
Primary source	Fritillaria thunbergii (Zhe Bei Mu / Thunberg fritillary bulbs), Fritillaria cirrhosa
Key applications	Expectorant, antitussive, mucolytic, bronchial smooth muscle relaxation (TCM respiratory)
Claim strength	Moderate
Typical form	Fritillaria bulb extract (Chuanbeimou / Zhebeimou); peimine isolate
Buy from Herbuno	Request availability and bulk pricing →

Name origin: From Pei (Chinese phonetic for Fritillaria bulb, Bei Mu) + -ine (alkaloid suffix). Peimine is also known as verticine, reflecting its presence in Fritillaria verticillata. It is the primary steroidal alkaloid of Fritillaria thunbergii (Zhe Bei Mu) alongside the structurally related peiminine (isopeimine). Traditional use: Fritillaria bulbs (Bei Mu in TCM — differentiated as Chuan Bei Mu from F. cirrhosa and Zhe Bei Mu from F. thunbergii) are among the most important TCM respiratory herbs — used for over 2,000 years for chronic cough, phlegm, and bronchial conditions. The distinction between Chuan Bei Mu (warm, moistening) and Zhe Bei Mu (cold, clearing) reflects their different alkaloid profiles and traditional indications. Peimine/verticine is the primary alkaloid of the Zhe Bei Mu type. Research trajectory: Peimine has documented bronchodilatory (inhibiting acetylcholine-induced bronchospasm), anti-inflammatory (NF-κB inhibition), and antitussive effects in animal models. Chinese pharmacological research has confirmed the mechanistic basis for traditional Fritillaria respiratory uses. Commercial source: Fritillaria bulb extract is not currently in the Herbuno catalogue. Contact Herbuno for availability assessment.

---

Evidence for Peimine Applications

Bronchial smooth muscle relaxation: Peimine inhibits acetylcholine- and histamine-induced bronchospasm in isolated guinea pig trachea preparations — providing the mechanistic basis for traditional Fritillaria antitussive use. Relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle (similar mechanism to theophylline) reduces airway reactivity and facilitates mucociliary clearance. Claim strength: Moderate (in vitro and animal; human data from Fritillaria complex preparations).

Antitussive and expectorant: Peimine and peiminine produce significant antitussive effects in animal cough models (ammonia-induced, citric acid-induced). The mechanism involves both central cough reflex suppression (mild CNS sedation) and peripheral effects on airway secretion and smooth muscle. Human clinical data exist for Fritillaria compound preparations in TCM respiratory contexts. Claim strength: Moderate.

Anti-inflammatory: Peimine inhibits NF-κB and reduces TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in macrophage models. Relevant for the inflammatory component of chronic bronchitis and asthma management. Claim strength: Moderate.

---

Dosage & Formulator Specification

Traditional Fritillaria dose: 3–9 g dried bulb powder/day in TCM decoctions or compound formulations. Peimine content in Zhe Bei Mu: approximately 0.1–0.5% total alkaloids (peimine + peiminine). For supplement formulations targeting TCM respiratory support, Fritillaria extract standardised to total alkaloid content (peimine + peiminine by HPLC) at 100–300 mg/day is a working range. Contact Herbuno for Fritillaria extract availability and specification.

---

Frequently Asked Questions — Peimine

What is the difference between Chuan Bei Mu and Zhe Bei Mu in TCM?
Both are Fritillaria bulbs used in TCM respiratory medicine but from different species with different alkaloid profiles and traditional indications: Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillaria cirrhosa and related species) is warm in TCM thermal classification, used for chronic deficiency-type cough with scanty phlegm. Zhe Bei Mu (Fritillaria thunbergii) is cold, used for acute heat-type cough with profuse yellow phlegm. Peimine is the primary alkaloid of the Zhe Bei Mu type. Both contain similar steroidal alkaloids but in different ratios.

Is peimine related to the vasicinone bronchodilators?
Both peimine and vasicinone are alkaloids with bronchodilatory mechanisms, but they are structurally completely different: vasicinone is a quinazoline alkaloid (nitrogen heterocycle); peimine is a steroidal alkaloid (steroid backbone). Their bronchodilatory mechanisms are also different: vasicinone via β2-adrenergic and PDE inhibition; peimine via smooth muscle relaxation (calcium channel modulation) and possibly mild cholinergic antagonism. They address bronchospasm through complementary pathways.

Can Fritillaria extract be combined with Vasaka in a respiratory formulation?
Yes — rationally synergistic for comprehensive respiratory support. Vasaka (Adhatoda vasica, vasicinone + vasicine) provides bronchodilation via β2-adrenergic stimulation and mucolytic expectorant activity. Fritillaria (Zhe Bei Mu, peimine) provides smooth muscle relaxation-based antitussive activity. The combination addresses different bronchial mechanisms and is consistent with TCM and Ayurvedic traditions of combining different respiratory herbs in compound formulations.

Are Fritillaria alkaloids safe?
At traditional doses in compound TCM preparations, Fritillaria alkaloids have a well-established safety profile across centuries of use. At high doses, steroidal alkaloids can produce cardiovascular effects (bradycardia at toxic doses in animal studies). Standard precautions for pregnancy and cardiac conditions apply. As with all TCM herb preparations, quality control (correct species identification, aflatoxin testing) is critical — some Fritillaria species substitution has been documented in commercial supply chains.

Related compounds: Peiminine, Vasicinone, Conessine, Solasodine

---

Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.

← HerbIQ Compound Index · HerbIQ P02: Extraction · HerbIQ P03: Delivery