Reserpin

Indol alkaloid of some dog poisonous plants of the genus Rauvolfia. Reserpine is still used today as an antihypertensive, although the drug has lost its former importance.

Reserpin is obtained from the roots of climbing plants of the Rauvolfioideae subfamily, primarily from Rauvolfia serpentina, the Indian snake root. Radix rauwolfia has a reserpin content of 0.04-0.05 %. Alternatively, Rerserpin can also be obtained from the Mexican Rauvolfia heterophylla and the Australian bitter bark.

The antihypertensive effect of reserpine is based on a depletion of catecholamines in the postganglionic sympathetic nervous system. The antipsychotic effect of reserpine is explained by a decrease in the concentration of dopamine and serotonin in the central nervous system.

Today, reserpine is only available in combination with diuretics. These are Briserin N® (combination with the thiazide diuretic clopamide) and Triniton® (combination with the antihypertensive dihydralazine and the thiazide diuretic hydrochlorothiazide).