Vinpocetine

Category: alkaloid

Aliases: Cavinton, Ethyl apovincaminate

Pharmacological Mechanism

Cerebral vasodilator — selective PDE1 inhibitor → increased cGMP in cerebral vasculature → vasodilation without systemic hypotension. Also inhibits voltage-dependent Na⁺ channels (mild neuroprotective) and raises cerebral glucose uptake. Eastern European cerebrovascular Rx since 1978.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 4.83h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 6.67 mg (Range: 5–10 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous
• cardiovascular

Pathways It Modulates

• Acetylcholine synthesis + degradation (inhibitor) — PDE1 + Na channel (vinca alkaloid)

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 443955
• Formula: C22H26N2O2
• Molecular weight: 350.45 g/mol
• InChIKey: DDNCQMVWWZOMLN-IRLDBZIGSA-N
• SMILES: CC[C@@]12CCCN3[C@@H]1C4=C(CC3)C5=CC=CC=C5N4C(=C2)C(=O)OCC

References

• PMID 582791