Skimmianine (Furoquinoline Alkaloid · CNS Depressant · Antimicrobial)

Compound	Skimmianine (Kokusagine; 4,7,8-Trimethoxyfuroquinoline)
Class	Alkaloid — Furoquinoline (Quinoline)
CAS	83-95-4
Molecular formula	C₁₄H₁₃NO₄
Primary sources	Skimmia japonica, Ruta graveolens (rue), Dictamnus albus, Murraya paniculata
Plant part	Leaves, bark, roots
Claim strength	Moderate
Key applications	CNS depressant; skeletal muscle relaxant; antimicrobial; antifungal
Buy from Herbuno	Availability on request — request bulk pricing →

Name origin: Skimmianine is named after Skimmia japonica — the Japanese skimmia ornamental shrub — from which it was first isolated as a major alkaloid. It is also known as kokusagine in older literature, reflecting its presence in Fagara (now Zanthoxylum) kokusai. It is a methoxylated furoquinoline, carrying three methoxy groups at positions 4, 7, and 8, making it more lipophilic than dictamnine. Traditional use: Skimmia japonica is primarily an ornamental plant in European and Japanese horticulture with no significant independent traditional medicinal use. Ruta graveolens (rue) — the more prominent medicinal Rutaceae species containing skimmianine — has extensive traditional use across Mediterranean and European herbal medicine for menstrual regulation, rheumatism, and as an abortifacient (highly toxic in emmenagogue doses). Murraya paniculata (orange jasmine, Kamini) is used in Ayurvedic and Southeast Asian traditional medicine for pain, rheumatism, and skin conditions. Research trajectory: Skimmianine has been characterised for CNS depressant, skeletal muscle relaxant, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities. Its higher lipophilicity relative to dictamnine improves CNS penetration, making it the more relevant furoquinoline for neurological pharmacology studies. Commercial source: Skimmianine is available on request from specialty botanical suppliers via Dictamnus or Ruta-sourced furoquinoline alkaloid extracts.

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Evidence for Skimmianine Applications

CNS depressant and skeletal muscle relaxant: Skimmianine produces dose-dependent CNS depression in rodent models — reducing locomotor activity, prolonging pentobarbital sleep time, and reducing skeletal muscle tone in righting reflex assays. The mechanism involves possible interaction with GABA-A receptors and/or calcium channel modulation in motor neuron systems. At 25–50 mg/kg in rodents, significant muscle relaxant effects are observed without respiratory depression at these doses. Claim strength: Moderate.

Antimicrobial and antifungal activity: Skimmianine demonstrates activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger in disc diffusion assays at concentrations comparable to dictamnine. The higher lipophilicity of skimmianine relative to dictamnine may enhance membrane penetration in fungal and bacterial cells. Claim strength: Moderate.

Antiparasitic activity: Skimmianine and the broader furoquinoline class show activity against Leishmania and Trypanosoma in cell-based assays. DNA intercalation (shared with dictamnine) and topoisomerase II inhibition are the proposed mechanisms. Claim strength: Emerging.

Smooth muscle effects: Unlike dictamnine's stimulatory effect on smooth muscle, skimmianine shows predominantly inhibitory (spasmolytic) effects on intestinal smooth muscle in some preparations — likely reflecting its greater lipophilicity and different receptor engagement balance. This smooth muscle selectivity pattern warrants further characterisation. Claim strength: Emerging.

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Dosage & Formulator Specification

No human clinical dosing data exist for skimmianine. It is a research compound not commercially developed as a supplement ingredient. Ruta graveolens (rue) — the most accessible botanical source — contains skimmianine alongside rutin, furanocoumarins (bergapten, xanthotoxin — highly phototoxic), and other alkaloids. Rue preparations are associated with severe phototoxic dermatitis, hepatotoxicity at high doses, and uterotonic/abortifacient activity — making Ruta a high-risk botanical for supplement use regardless of skimmianine content.

Formulators seeking furoquinoline alkaloids for antimicrobial or CNS applications should consider Dictamnus albus root bark extract (Bai Xian Pi) as a safer commercial vehicle than Ruta graveolens, given Bai Xian Pi's established TCM safety record at recommended doses. Both deliver skimmianine as a component of the total furoquinoline alkaloid fraction.

Skimmianine's skeletal muscle relaxant profile is of interest for pharmaceutical development in spasticity and muscle relaxation applications, but no drug development programme for skimmianine specifically has reached clinical stage as of the HerbIQ knowledge reference date.

Safety note: Ruta graveolens preparations carry phototoxicity and uterotonic risks (see dictamnine entry). Skimmianine from Ruta sources carries these risks by association with the full Ruta phytochemical profile. Murraya paniculata-sourced skimmianine is available from Southeast Asian botanical suppliers with a better safety track record at traditional doses.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Skimmianine

How does skimmianine differ from dictamnine structurally and pharmacologically?
Both are furoquinoline alkaloids from Rutaceae plants. Dictamnine has one methoxy group (at C-1) and a methyl group; skimmianine has three methoxy groups (C-4, C-7, C-8) and no methyl group — making skimmianine substantially more lipophilic (logP ~2.8 vs ~1.6 for dictamnine). This lipophilicity difference translates to better CNS penetration for skimmianine, explaining its more pronounced central muscle relaxant and sedative profile versus dictamnine's predominantly peripheral smooth muscle stimulant activity.

Is Skimmia japonica (ornamental skimmia) toxic?
Yes — all parts of Skimmia japonica are mildly toxic if ingested, primarily due to alkaloid (skimmianine, isoskimmianine) and phenolic glycoside content. Ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, and CNS effects. The plant is widely grown as a garden ornamental in temperate climates; poisoning incidents are rare due to its bitter taste deterring significant consumption. It is not a commercial medicinal botanical.

What is Ruta graveolens and what are its safety concerns?
Ruta graveolens (common rue) is a Mediterranean herb used historically as a flavouring (limited use due to toxicity), abortifacient, and herbal medicine. It contains skimmianine, dictamnine, and other furoquinolines alongside highly phototoxic furanocoumarins (bergapten, xanthotoxin) and uterotonic alkaloids. Handling fresh plant material in sunlight causes severe blistering dermatitis. Internal use at therapeutic doses carries hepatotoxicity and uterotonic risk; Ruta is explicitly contraindicated in pregnancy and considered too high-risk for routine supplement use in most regulatory frameworks.

Are furoquinoline alkaloids from Rutaceae related to quinolone antibiotics?
Structurally distant — quinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin) are 4-quinolone-3-carboxylic acid derivatives (synthetic or semi-synthetic), while furoquinolines are plant natural products with a fused furan ring. Both classes inhibit bacterial DNA topoisomerase II (gyrase) and topoisomerase IV — the same mechanistic target — which is why furoquinolines show antimicrobial activity, but at much lower potency than synthetic quinolone antibiotics. The structural convergence on a shared antibacterial target is a notable example of plant alkaloid and medicinal chemistry arriving at overlapping mechanisms by different structural routes.

Related compounds: Dictamnine, Tangeretin, Nobiletin, Chrysin

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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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