Deoxyvasicinone (Quinazoline Alkaloid · Synergistic Bronchodilation · Vasaka Co-alkaloid)
| Compound | Deoxyvasicinone |
| Chemical class | Alkaloid — Quinazoline (Pyrrolo[1,2-b]quinazoline, C-3 deoxy form) |
| CAS | 530-53-0 |
| Primary source | Adhatoda vasica (Malabar nut / Vasaka) leaves — minor alkaloid alongside vasicine and vasicinone |
| Key applications | Synergistic bronchodilation with vasicine/vasicinone, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | Vasaka leaf extract (deoxyvasicinone as minor co-constituent with vasicine and vasicinone) |
| Buy from Herbuno | Vasaka Leaf Extract Powder → |
Name origin: Deoxy- (lacking an oxygen, specifically lacking the C-3 hydroxyl that vasicine has) + vasicinone (the parent quinazoline alkaloid). Deoxyvasicinone is structurally related to both vasicine (same pyrroloquinazoline ring but deoxy at C-3) and vasicinone (the oxidised C-3 ketone form). It is typically the least abundant of the three primary Vasaka alkaloids but contributes to the combined pharmacological profile of Vasaka leaf extract. Traditional use: Deoxyvasicinone has not been individually targeted in traditional medicine — it is a constituent of Vasaka preparations whose significance became apparent through modern phytochemical characterisation. Its pharmacological properties are studied in the context of the Vasaka alkaloid complex. Research trajectory: Deoxyvasicinone has documented bronchodilatory activity (complementary to vasicine and vasicinone), antimicrobial activity, and has been investigated as a MAO-A inhibitor (antidepressant mechanism) in some studies. The combination of vasicine + vasicinone + deoxyvasicinone in Vasaka extract appears to have synergistic bronchodilatory effects compared to individual alkaloids. Commercial source: Vasaka Leaf Extract Powder and Vasaka Leaf Liquid Extract from Herbuno provide the complete Vasaka alkaloid profile including deoxyvasicinone. See sourcing options below.
Evidence for Deoxyvasicinone Applications
Bronchodilatory (synergistic with vasicine/vasicinone complex): Deoxyvasicinone relaxes bronchial smooth muscle in animal models and complements the bronchodilatory activity of vasicine and vasicinone. In vitro, isolated deoxyvasicinone has moderate bronchodilatory potency; within the complete Vasaka alkaloid complex, it may contribute to synergistic bronchodilation. Claim strength: Moderate (preclinical; attributed to alkaloid complex).
Antimicrobial: Deoxyvasicinone demonstrates antibacterial and antifungal activity in vitro — relevant for its traditional use in respiratory infections where antimicrobial and bronchodilatory activity address both infection and symptom components of respiratory illness. Claim strength: Moderate.
MAO-A inhibition (antidepressant potential): Some studies have identified deoxyvasicinone as a reversible MAO-A inhibitor at physiological concentrations — a mechanism relevant for antidepressant and mood support applications. This is mechanistically notable but very early-stage with no human data. Include standard MAOI interaction advisory if this is relevant to formulation positioning. Claim strength: Emerging.
Anti-inflammatory: Deoxyvasicinone inhibits NF-κB and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production in cell models, consistent with the overall anti-inflammatory profile of the Vasaka alkaloid complex. Claim strength: Moderate.
Vasaka Leaf Extract Powder →
Browse Standardised Extract Powders →
Dosage & Formulator Specification
Deoxyvasicinone is not independently dosed — it is a co-constituent of Vasaka extract typically at 10–30% of the total alkaloid fraction (relative to vasicine at 60–80% and vasicinone at 10–20%). Standard Vasaka extract specifications (total alkaloids by HPLC, with individual vasicine/vasicinone content) should also note deoxyvasicinone as a co-constituent where significant. Same pregnancy contraindication and safety advisory as vasicinone applies. For formulators requiring individual deoxyvasicinone quantification, request HPLC analysis of all three quinazoline alkaloids (vasicine, vasicinone, deoxyvasicinone) in the Vasaka extract CoA.
Frequently Asked Questions — Deoxyvasicinone
How does deoxyvasicinone differ from vasicine and vasicinone?
All three are quinazoline alkaloids from Vasaka with the same pyrrolo[1,2-b]quinazoline ring system. Vasicine has a C-3 hydroxyl (alcohol). Vasicinone has a C-3 ketone (the oxidised form of vasicine). Deoxyvasicinone lacks any substituent at C-3 — it is the fully reduced, unsubstituted ring at C-3. These structural differences alter receptor binding and enzyme inhibition profiles while maintaining the core bronchodilatory pharmacophore. In Vasaka extract, all three contribute to the combined bronchodilatory and mucolytic effect.
Is the complete Vasaka alkaloid complex more effective than isolated vasicine?
Evidence suggests the complete alkaloid complex is superior to isolated vasicine for respiratory applications. In vitro comparisons show synergistic bronchodilation with the vasicine + vasicinone + deoxyvasicinone combination versus individual alkaloids. This is consistent with the general principle that complex phytochemical matrices from well-characterised botanical medicines often exceed the activity of individual isolated constituents — supporting full-spectrum Vasaka extract over isolated alkaloids for respiratory supplement applications.
Does deoxyvasicinone pose the same pregnancy risk as vasicine?
Deoxyvasicinone has been less specifically studied for uterotonic activity than vasicine. The structural similarity and co-occurrence in Vasaka preparations where uterotonic effects are documented means the same pregnancy contraindication must apply to all Vasaka preparations containing deoxyvasicinone. Do not assume deoxyvasicinone is safe in pregnancy simply because it has not been individually documented as uterotonic — the conservative and legally appropriate approach is to apply the pregnancy contraindication to all Vasaka alkaloid preparations regardless of individual alkaloid composition.
Can Vasaka extract be standardised to deoxyvasicinone specifically?
Commercial Vasaka extract standardisation focuses on total alkaloid content (usually expressed as vasicine equivalent) or on individual vasicine and vasicinone content by HPLC. Deoxyvasicinone is a minor constituent and is not typically the primary standardisation marker. For research or premium formulation applications requiring comprehensive Vasaka alkaloid characterisation, HPLC methods are available that quantify vasicine, vasicinone, and deoxyvasicinone individually from the same extraction and analysis run.
Related compounds: Vasicinone, Glycyrrhizin, Andrographolide, Ligustrazine
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