Radioligand-binding study of noribogaine, a likely metabolite of ibogaine

Brain Res. 1995 Mar 27;675(1-2):342-4. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(95)00123-8.

Abstract

Radioligand-binding studies were performed to ascertain the actions of noribogaine, a suspected metabolite of ibogaine, on opioid receptors. Consistent with previous results, ibogaine showed highest affinity for kappa opioid receptors (Ki = 3.77 +/- 0.81 microM), less affinity for mu receptors (Ki = 11.04 +/- 0.66 microM) and no affinity for delta receptors (Ki > 100 microM). Noribogaine showed a higher affinity than ibogaine for all of the opioid receptors: kappa Ki = 0.96 +/- 0.08 microM, mu Ki = 2.66 +/- 0.62 microM and delta Ki = 24.72 +/- 2.26 microM. These data suggest that noribogaine is active in vivo and that it may contribute to ibogaine's pharmacological effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Benzeneacetamides*
  • Cattle
  • Cerebral Cortex / drug effects
  • Cerebral Cortex / metabolism
  • Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-
  • Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-
  • Enkephalins / metabolism
  • Ibogaine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Ibogaine / metabolism*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Kinetics
  • Naloxone / pharmacology
  • Pyrrolidines / metabolism
  • Radioligand Assay
  • Receptors, Opioid / drug effects
  • Receptors, Opioid / metabolism*

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Benzeneacetamides
  • Enkephalins
  • Pyrrolidines
  • Receptors, Opioid
  • Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-
  • Naloxone
  • Ibogaine
  • noribogaine
  • Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-
  • U 69593