Peiminine — Isopeimine (Steroidal Alkaloid · Fritillaria · Antitussive · AChE Inhibitory)
| Compound | Peiminine (Isopeimine / Delavaine) |
| Chemical class | Alkaloid — Steroidal Alkaloid (Cevanine-type, isomer of peimine) |
| CAS | 18059-10-4 |
| Primary source | Fritillaria thunbergii (Zhe Bei Mu), Fritillaria cirrhosa (Chuan Bei Mu) |
| Key applications | Antitussive, anti-inflammatory, mucosal soothing, synergistic respiratory with peimine |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | Fritillaria extract (peiminine as co-alkaloid with peimine); total Fritillaria alkaloid preparation |
| Buy from Herbuno | Request availability and bulk pricing → |
Name origin: Pei- (from Bei Mu, the TCM Fritillaria bulb name) + -minine (indicating the imino form/structural variant). Peiminine is also known as isopeimine (structural isomer of peimine) or delavaine (from historical French botanical characterisation). It co-occurs with peimine in Fritillaria species and is typically the second most abundant alkaloid in the Fritillaria alkaloid complex. Traditional use: Peiminine is not individually targeted in traditional medicine — it is a constituent of the Fritillaria alkaloid matrix used collectively under the traditional names Chuan Bei Mu and Zhe Bei Mu. Its pharmacological contributions to the traditional preparations are understood through modern phytochemical analysis. Research trajectory: Peiminine has documented antitussive activity (comparable to and potentially synergistic with peimine), anti-inflammatory (NF-κB inhibition), and mucosal soothing properties. Recent research has identified peiminine as having moderate anti-Alzheimer’s activity via AChE inhibition — consistent with Fritillaria’s traditional use in TCM cognitive tonification formulations. Commercial source: Not currently in the Herbuno catalogue. Contact Herbuno for Fritillaria extract availability.
Evidence for Peiminine Applications
Antitussive (synergistic with peimine complex): Peiminine produces antitussive effects in animal cough models — comparable in potency to peimine. In comparative studies of Fritillaria alkaloid combinations, the peimine + peiminine combination shows greater antitussive activity than either compound alone, suggesting genuine synergy. Claim strength: Moderate (animal data; human data from Fritillaria complex preparations).
Anti-inflammatory and mucosal soothing: Peiminine inhibits NF-κB and reduces inflammatory cytokine production in airway epithelial models. In vivo anti-inflammatory effects in respiratory inflammatory models are consistent with peimine. The combined peimine + peiminine matrix of Fritillaria extract provides both smooth muscle relaxation (antitussive) and anti-inflammatory protection. Claim strength: Moderate.
AChE inhibition (neuroprotective context): Peiminine has been identified as a moderate AChE inhibitor — a mechanism relevant to cognitive support and Alzheimer’s disease research. At concentrations relevant to supplement use, AChE inhibition by peiminine may contribute to cognitive support claimed for some TCM formulations containing Fritillaria. Claim strength: Emerging.
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Dosage & Formulator Specification
Peiminine dosed as part of total Fritillaria alkaloid preparation — same dosing context as peimine (see Peimine page). For comprehensive Fritillaria extract characterisation, specify both peimine and peiminine content by HPLC alongside any other identified alkaloids. The peimine:peiminine ratio varies by species and growing conditions — Zhe Bei Mu typically has higher peiminine relative to Chuan Bei Mu types. Contact Herbuno for Fritillaria extract specification and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions — Peiminine
What is the structural difference between peimine and peiminine?
Peimine and peiminine are stereoisomers — they have the same molecular formula and connectivity but differ in the configuration of the nitrogen-containing ring junction. This stereochemical difference gives them slightly different receptor binding profiles and biological potencies, while maintaining the same pharmacophore (the cevanine steroidal alkaloid system). In pharmacological comparisons, peimine typically shows slightly greater potency for bronchial smooth muscle relaxation; peiminine shows comparable antitussive and AChE inhibitory potency.
Why are both peimine and peiminine needed in Fritillaria extract?
The synergistic antitussive activity of peimine + peiminine combination versus either alone suggests that multiple alkaloids targeting slightly different receptor subtypes or pathways produce greater overall bronchial smooth muscle relaxation and cough suppression. This is consistent with the general principle that full-spectrum botanical extracts containing a range of related phytochemicals often outperform isolated single compounds — supporting the traditional preparation of Fritillaria as a whole bulb extract rather than as an isolated alkaloid.
Is peiminine related to any pharmaceutical drugs?
No direct pharmaceutical derivative of peiminine has been developed, unlike solanidine-based alkaloids (which inspired steroid synthesis) or vasicinone (which inspired bromhexine). However, peiminine’s AChE inhibitory activity places it in the same pharmacological class as galantamine (from Galanthus — approved for Alzheimer’s disease). The cevanine steroidal alkaloid scaffold may offer future opportunities for AChE inhibitor drug design, but no pharmaceutical development programme for peiminine is currently known.
What is Fritillaria’s place in modern TCM prescribing?
Fritillaria bulbs (both Chuan Bei Mu and Zhe Bei Mu types) remain among the most frequently prescribed TCM herbs for respiratory conditions — used in hundreds of approved Chinese traditional medicine compound preparations for cough, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. The pharmacological validation of peimine and peiminine provides a scientific foundation for continued clinical use in TCM respiratory formulations. Western supplement adoption has been limited by the relative commercial unavailability of standardised Fritillaria extract compared to other respiratory botanicals.
Related compounds: Peimine, Vasicinone, Conessine, Solasodine
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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