Locomotor activation by theacrine, a purine alkaloid structurally similar to caffeine: involvement of adenosine and dopamine receptors

Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
Allison A FeducciaSelena E Bartlett

Abstract

Purine compounds, such as caffeine, have many health-promoting properties and have proven to be beneficial in treating a number of different conditions. Theacrine, a purine alkaloid structurally similar to caffeine and abundantly present in Camellia kucha, has recently become of interest as a potential therapeutic compound. In the present study, theacrine was tested using a rodent behavioral model to investigate the effects of the drug on locomotor activity. Long Evans rats were injected with theacrine (24 or 48 mg/kg, i.p.) and activity levels were measured. Results showed that the highest dose of theacrine (48 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased locomotor activity compared to control animals and activity remained elevated throughout the duration of the session. To test for the involvement of adenosine receptors underlying theacrine's motor-activating properties, rats were administered a cocktail of the adenosine A₁ agonist, N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA; 0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) and A(2A) receptor agonist 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS-21680; 0.2 mg/kg, i.p.). Pre-treatment with theacrine significantly attenuated the motor depression induced by the adenosine receptor agonists, indicating that t...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 3, 2014·Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry·Robin OrtizRodrigo Machado-Vieira
Jan 15, 2016·Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition·Lem TaylorColin Wilborn
Sep 17, 2016·Journal of Toxicology·Amy ClewellIlona Pasics Szakonyiné
Mar 14, 2018·Journal of Dietary Supplements·Marcos DaouAdam M Gonzalez
Aug 24, 2017·The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC·Venkataraghavan RamamoorthyMarianna K Baum
Jun 7, 2019·Phytotherapy Research : PTR·Jeong-Hyeon KoKwang Seok Ahn
Oct 30, 2019·Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition·Kyle R CesareoMichael J Ormsbee
Sep 7, 2017·Journal of Caffeine Research·Hui HeCharles R Yates
Apr 20, 2019·Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition·Marissa L BelloShawn M Arent
Jan 9, 2020·Journal of Toxicology·Timothy S MurbachIlona Pasics Szakonyiné
Jan 5, 2021·Frontiers in Nutrition·Yue-Yue ShengXin-Qiang Zheng

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