Abstract
Agmatine, an endogenous amine, which is formed by decarboxylation of L-arginine, a semi essential amino acid, by arginine decarboxylase (ADC) and degraded by agmatinase can be defined as a putative neurotransmitter/neuromodulator. Agmatine is widely distributed in the body except from brain. Agmatine binds to alpha-adrenergic and imidazoline receptors, blocks nicotinic cholinergic, serotoninergic 5-HT3 and glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and inhibits nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Agmatine, an endogenous substance, modulating several functions in nervous system, is shown to have a wide range of pharmacological effects such as antinociceptive, antiinflammatory, preventing abstinence syndromes of morphine dependence, anxiolytic/antidepressant, neuroprotective, anticonvulsant and recently cognitive enhancing effects. Thus, agmatine can be a new candidate of novel therapeutic targets by further revealing the underlying molecular mechanisms in related physiological and pathological conditions. Key words: Agmatine, imidazoline receptors, alpha-adrenergic receptors, NMDA, NO
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