Abstract
The majority of currently used anesthetic agents are derived from or associated with natural products, especially plants, as evidenced by cocaine that was isolated from coca (Erythroxylum coca, Erythroxylaceae) and became a prototype of modern local anesthetics and by thymol and eugenol contained in thyme (Thymus vulgaris, Lamiaceae) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum, Myrtaceae), respectively, both of which are structurally and mechanistically similar to intravenous phenolic anesthetics. This paper reviews different classes of phytochemicals with the anesthetic activity and their characteristic molecular structures that could be lead compounds for anesthetics and anesthesia-related drugs. Phytochemicals in research papers published between 1996 and 2016 were retrieved from the point of view of well-known modes of anesthetic action, that is, the mechanistic interactions with Na+ channels, γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors and lipid membranes. The searched phytochemicals include terpenoids, alkaloids and flavonoids because they have been frequently reported to possess local anesthetic, general anesthetic, antinociceptive, analgesic or sedative property. Clinical applicability of phytochemicals to local and general anesthesia is discussed by referring to animal in vivo experiments and human pre-clinical trials. This review will give structural suggestions for novel anesthetic agents of plant origin.
Highlights
Many of the currently used medicines originate from natural products, especially plants.Drugs and plants are closely related to each other through the use of traditional medicines or ethnomedicines that are mainly prepared from plants [1]
Terpenoids, flavonoids and alkaloids are expected as the neuro-active lead compounds for general anesthetics and anesthesia-related drugs because they are able to interact with GABAA receptors, NMDA receptors and lipid membranes [78,79]
(1:100,000), bulleyaconitine A prolonged the blocking time of both sensory and motor functions to 4 h with minimal systemic adverse effects. These results suggest that bulleyaconitine A readily diffuses through the nerve sheath and binds to Na+ channels with the relatively slow reversibility compared with conventional local anesthetics
Summary
Many of the currently used medicines originate from natural products, especially plants. The review focuses on terpenoids, alkaloids and flavonoids because they have been frequently reported to possess local anesthetic, general anesthetic, antinociceptive, analgesic or sedative property. Besides these phytochemicals, plants are able to produce anesthetic ethylene and vinyl ether especially under stress [6]. Plants are able to produce anesthetic ethylene and vinyl ether especially under stress [6] These stress hormones were previously applied to inhalational anesthesia [7], they are infrequently used today due to toxicity and degradation during storage. Clinical applicability and implication of the relevant terpenoids, alkaloids and flavonoids are discussed by referring to animal in vivo experiments and human pre-clinical trials with them
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
