Combination of | |
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Dihydroergocristine | Ergot alkaloid |
Dihydroergocornine | Ergot alkaloid |
alpha-Dihydroergocryptine | Ergot alkaloid |
beta-Dihydroergocryptine | Ergot alkaloid |
Clinical data | |
Pregnancy category |
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Routes of administration |
Oral, parenteral |
ATC code | |
Legal status | |
Legal status |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | 25% |
Protein binding | 98–99% |
Metabolism | 50% |
Biological half-life | 3.5 hours |
Identifiers | |
Synonyms | Co-dergocrine, dihydroergotoxine |
CAS Number | |
DrugBank | |
ChemSpider |
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ChEBI | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.158.718 |
(what is this?) |
Ergoloid mesylates (USAN), co-dergocrine mesilate (BAN) or dihydroergotoxine mesylate, trade name Hydergine, is a mixture of the methanesulfonate salts of three dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids (dihydroergocristine, dihydroergocornine, and alpha- and beta-dihydroergocryptine).
It was developed by Albert Hofmann (the discoverer of LSD) for Sandoz (now part of Novartis).
It has been used to treat dementia and age-related cognitive impairment (such as in Alzheimer disease), as well as to aid in recovery after stroke.
There is some evidence suggesting that potentially effective doses may be higher than those currently approved in dementia treatment.
Ergoloids are also used by many people as a nootropic. It may be used in conjunction with other cerebral enhancers like piracetam, with which it may act synergistically.
Ergoloid Mesylate Tablets USP for sublingual use contain 1 mg of Ergoloid Mesylates USP, a mixture of the methanesulfonate salt of the following hydrogenated alkaloids: Dihydroergocornine mesylate 0.333 mg, Dihydroergocristine mesylate 0.333 mg, Dihydroergocryptine mesylate 0.333 mg.
Despite the fact that hydergine has been used in the treatment of dementia for many years, its mechanism of action is still not clear. It stimulates dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors and blocks alpha-adrenoreceptors. Current studies imply that the major effect of hydergine may be the modulation of synaptic neurotransmission rather than solely increasing blood flow as was once thought. A prominent feature that accompanies aging is an increase in monoamine oxidase (MAO) levels. This results in decreased availability of catecholamines in the synaptic cleft. In one study, an interaction between age and hydergine treatment was observed in the hypothalamus, hippocampus and cerebellum. The hydergine effect was more pronounced in the aged group in the hypothalamus and cerebellum, and more pronounced in the adult in the hippocampus. These findings imply that increased brain MAO activity in aging can be modified by hydergine treatment in some brain regions.