Neuropharmacological potentials of β-carboline alkaloids for neuropsychiatric disorders

Neuropsychiatric disorders are diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) which are characterised by complex pathomechanisms that including homeostatic failure, malfunction, atrophy, pathology remodelling and reactivity anomaly of the neuronal system where treatment options remain challenging. β-Carboline (βC) alkaloids are scaffolds of structurally diverse tricyclic pyrido[3,4-b]indole alkaloid with vast occurrence in nature. Their unique structural features which favour interactions with enzymes and protein receptor targets account for their potent neuropharmacological properties. However, our current understanding of their biological mechanisms for these beneficial effects, especially for neuropsychiatric disorders is sparse. Therefore, we present a comprehensive review of the scientific progress in the last two decades on the prospective pharmacology and physiology of the βC alkaloids in the treatment of some neuropsychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, brain tumour, essential tremor, epilepsy and seizure, licking behaviour, dystonia, agnosia, spasm, positive ingestive response as demonstrated in non-clinical models. The current evidence supports that βC alkaloids offer potential therapeutic agents against most of these disorders and amenable for further drug design.