Pellotine is an alkaloid found in Lophophora species, in particular L. diffusa.[1][2] Pellotine is slightly narcotic, and has been used by Native Americans as a constituent of peyote for sacramental purposes.[3]

Pellotine
Names
Systematic IUPAC name
6,7-Dimethoxy-1,2-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-8-ol
Other names
Peyotline; N-Methylanhalonidine
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C13H19NO3/c1-8-11-9(5-6-14(8)2)7-10(16-3)13(17-4)12(11)15/h7-8,15H,5-6H2,1-4H3
    Key: NKHMWHLJHODBEP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • CC1C2=C(C(=C(C=C2CCN1C)OC)OC)O
Properties
C13H19NO3
Molar mass 237.299 g·mol−1
Melting point 110 to 113
Hazards
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
10 mg/kg (intravenous, dog)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Psychological and physiological effects edit

8-10 mg of isolated pellotine is known to cause convulsions in frogs.[4] When injected subcutaneously to humans, participants have reported drowsiness and a desire not to exert any physical or mental effort with one study reporting it to have hypnotic effects.[3] It is also reported to lower blood pressure and heart rate.[3]

Ancient use edit

Native inhabitants of north-eastern Mexico around 810–1070 CE (according to carbon dating) are thought to have used a number of "mescal buttons" (peyote plant material) containing mescaline, pellotine, and other related alkaloids. While it is known that the cytisine-containing "mescal beans" were at least ornamental, it is unclear whether "mescal buttons" were ornamental or used for their psychoactive effects.[5]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Gabermann, V (1978). "Estimation of mescaline and pellotine in Lophophora coulter plants (Cactaceae) by means of the oscillographic polarography". Biokhimiia (Moscow, Russia). 43 (2): 246–51. PMID 647075.
  2. ^ Chan, Camilla B.; Poulie, Christian B. M.; Wismann, Simon S.; Soelberg, Jens; Kristensen, Jesper L. (27 August 2021). "The Alkaloids from Lophophora diffusa and Other "False Peyotes"". Journal of Natural Products. 84 (8): 2398–2407. doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00381. PMID 34264089. S2CID 235907705.
  3. ^ a b c Jones, Peter (2007). "The American Indian Church and its sacramental use of peyote: A review for professionals in the mental-health arena". Mental Health, Religion & Culture. 8 (4): 277–290. doi:10.1080/13674670412331304348. S2CID 144932041.
  4. ^ Heffter, Arthur (1894). "Ueber Pellote". Archiv für Experimentelle Pathologie und Pharmakologie. 34 (1–2): 65–86. doi:10.1007/bf01864855. S2CID 28789116.
  5. ^ El-Seedi, Hesham R.; Smet, Peter A. G. M. De; Beck, Olof; Possnert, Göran; Bruhn, Jan G. (2005-10-03). "Prehistoric peyote use: Alkaloid analysis and radiocarbon dating of archaeological specimens of Lophophora from Texas". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 101 (1): 238–242. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.04.022. ISSN 0378-8741. PMID 15990261.