Dr. Grey AI

Palmatine

Palmatine is a protoberberine alkaloid found alongside berberine in plants like Coptis, Phellodendron, and Berberis. Shares many mechanisms with berberine (AMPK, metabolic effects) but less potent. Some unique sedative/anxiolytic properties via GABA-A and D2 receptor modulation. Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Limited human studies compared to berberine. May contribute to effects of berberine-containing extracts but rarely supplemented alone.

Quick Answer

What it is

Palmatine is a protoberberine alkaloid found alongside berberine in plants like Coptis, Phellodendron, and Berberis. Shares many mechanisms with berberine (AMPK, metabolic effects) but less potent.

Key findings

  • Grade D: Cholinesterase Inhibition
  • Grade D: Sedation and Anxiolytic Effects
  • Grade D: Antimicrobial Activity

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Palmatine

Quick Facts: Palmatine

  • Best Evidence:Grade D
  • Conditions Studied:3
  • Research Outcomes:9
  • Key Effect:Alzheimer’s Disease
Outcomes by grade:
A0
B0
C0
D9
3 conditions · 9 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

|
D
Cholinesterase Inhibition
In vitro enzyme assays demonstrate palmatine inhibits acetylcholinesterase with IC50 of 0.62 μM (second only to berberine at 0.47 μM among protoberberine alkaloids) and butyrylcholinesterase at IC50 3.32-6.84 μM. Two independent studies confirm sub-micromolar AChE inhibitory potency, a mechanism relevant to Alzheimer's disease therapeutics, though no in vivo or human data exist.
moderate↑Improves
D
Sedation and Anxiolytic Effects
Palmatine's sedative properties appear mediated through dopamine biosynthesis inhibition (IC50 = 7.9 μM in PC12 cells) and alpha-2 adrenergic receptor binding (IC50 = 956 nM), rather than direct GABA-A modulation — a 2003 study found palmatine had no effect on GABA-A binding, unlike its reduced derivative tetrahydropalmatine. Palmatine crosses the blood-brain barrier, enabling CNS activity. Evidence is limited to in vitro receptor/enzyme studies.
small↑Improves
D
Antimicrobial Activity
In vitro studies demonstrate palmatine has antimicrobial activity via DNA intercalation, DNA synthesis inhibition, and reverse transcriptase inhibition. Showed in vitro antimalarial potency comparable to quinine against P. falciparum, but completely failed to translate in vivo in mice, likely due to poor oral bioavailability (<10%). Antibacterial and antiviral properties confirmed in review but with limited standalone evidence.
small↑Improves
D
Inflammation
A comprehensive review identifies palmatine as anti-inflammatory via NF-κB pathway inhibition. In a Mahonia oiwakensis extract study (containing palmatine, berberine, and jatrorrhizine), the extract reduced inflammatory markers and pain responses in mice. However, effects cannot be definitively attributed to palmatine alone given multi-alkaloid composition of studied extracts.
small↓Improves
D
Liver Protection
In CCl4-treated rats, a Mahonia oiwakensis extract containing palmatine decreased serum ALT and AST at 100 and 500 mg/kg. An earlier study showed protoberberine alkaloids including palmatine from Enantia chlorantha had hepatoprotective effects in thioacetamide-injured rat liver. Both studies used multi-alkaloid extracts, limiting attribution to palmatine specifically.
small↑Improves
D
Blood Glucose
In diabetic KK-Ay mice, palmatine decreased fasting blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance alongside other Coptidis Rhizoma alkaloids. In vitro glucose consumption was also increased in HepG2 cells. Effects were weaker than berberine. No human data exist.
small↓Improves
D
Intestinal Chloride Secretion
In isolated rat distal colon tissue, palmatine inhibited both Ca2+-activated (IC50 ~24 μM, maximal inhibition ~85%) and cAMP-activated (IC50 ~62 μM) chloride secretion pathways via blockade of SK4 K+ channels, CFTR Cl- channels, and KvLQT1 K+ channels. This dual anti-secretory mechanism supports traditional use of berberine-containing plants for diarrhea.
moderate↓Worsens
D
Dopamine Synthesis
In PC12 cells, palmatine reduced dopamine content by 61% at 20 μM (IC50 = 7.9 μM), more potently than berberine (53.7% reduction, IC50 = 18.6 μM). The mechanism involves direct inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme activity rather than gene expression regulation. This dopaminergic modulation may underlie sedative properties but also raises concerns about dopamine depletion.
moderate↓Improves
D
Blood Lipids
In diabetic KK-Ay mice, palmatine decreased serum total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL cholesterol. These lipid-modulating effects parallel berberine but appear weaker. No human clinical data are available.
small↓Improves

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