Norcoclaurine Hcl
Also known as: Norcoclaurine HCl, Norcoclaurine, (S)-Norcoclaurine, (S)-Norcoclaurine hydrochloride
Overview
Norcoclaurine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in plants such as *Thalictrum flavum* and *Papaver somniferum*. It serves as the initial committed intermediate in the biosynthesis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs), a class of compounds that includes pharmacologically significant substances like morphine and codeine. Norcoclaurine hydrochloride (HCl) is a synthetic or purified salt form of this compound, primarily used in research to study biochemical pathways related to alkaloid synthesis. While its role as a precursor molecule suggests potential indirect therapeutic effects, direct research on norcoclaurine HCl as a human supplement is very limited. Most existing studies focus on its enzymatic synthesis and structural biology rather than its clinical effects or applications in human health.
Benefits
There is currently no direct, high-quality clinical evidence (such as randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses) demonstrating specific health benefits of norcoclaurine HCl as a supplement in humans. While it is a precursor to alkaloids with known analgesic and neuroactive properties, this does not translate to direct benefits from norcoclaurine HCl itself. Preclinical studies, primarily in vitro or animal models, suggest that norcoclaurine and related benzylisoquinoline alkaloids may possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. However, these findings have not been confirmed in human trials, and no quantified effect sizes or clinical significance data are available from high-quality human studies. Therefore, any claims of benefit are speculative and not supported by current clinical research.
How it works
Norcoclaurine's primary mechanism of action is as a biochemical intermediate in plant alkaloid biosynthesis. Specifically, the enzyme norcoclaurine synthase (NCS) catalyzes a stereoselective Pictet-Spengler condensation reaction between dopamine and 4-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde. This reaction forms (S)-norcoclaurine, marking the first committed step in the biosynthesis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids. NCS belongs to the pathogenesis-related 10 (PR10) protein family and exhibits unique catalytic activity. In the context of human physiology, norcoclaurine is not known to act as a direct receptor ligand or enzyme inhibitor. Its absorption and bioavailability as a supplement in humans have not been established, meaning its direct interaction with human biological systems is largely uncharacterized.
Side effects
There is a significant lack of published clinical safety data and adverse event profiles for norcoclaurine HCl in humans. Due to the absence of human clinical trials, no documented drug interactions, contraindications, or specific side effects have been reported in peer-reviewed clinical literature. While its natural occurrence as a biosynthetic intermediate in plants might suggest it could be well-tolerated at low doses, this remains entirely speculative without empirical evidence. The safety of norcoclaurine HCl in special populations, including pregnant or lactating individuals, children, and the elderly, is completely unknown. Consumers should exercise extreme caution, as the potential for adverse effects or interactions cannot be assessed without proper clinical research.
Dosage
Currently, there are no established dosing guidelines for norcoclaurine HCl as a supplement due to the complete absence of human clinical trials. Preclinical enzymatic studies utilize micromolar concentrations for in vitro assays, but these concentrations do not translate into practical human dosing recommendations. Information regarding optimal dose ranges, appropriate timing of administration, maximum safe doses, or formulation-specific recommendations is unavailable. Without clinical data, any suggested dosage would be purely speculative and potentially unsafe. Therefore, there are no recommended upper limits or safety thresholds for human consumption.
FAQs
Is norcoclaurine HCl effective as a supplement?
No, there is no high-quality clinical evidence to support the efficacy of norcoclaurine HCl as a supplement in humans. Its benefits are not established.
Is norcoclaurine HCl safe to take?
The safety data for norcoclaurine HCl in humans are lacking. No adverse effects have been reported in clinical literature, but this is due to the absence of human studies, not confirmed safety.
How does norcoclaurine HCl work in the body?
Norcoclaurine HCl is primarily known as a biochemical precursor in plant alkaloid biosynthesis. Its direct mechanism of action or therapeutic role in the human body is not established.
What results can I expect from taking norcoclaurine HCl?
There are no documented clinical results or expected outcomes from taking norcoclaurine HCl as a supplement, as no human trials have been conducted.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2990142/ – This biochemical study confirmed that the NCS enzyme catalyzes the formation of (S)-norcoclaurine and demonstrated that silencing NCS in plants reduces alkaloid levels. It provides high-quality biochemical research on the enzymatic pathway but contains no human data, focusing on in vitro and plant models.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/srep39256 – This molecular enzymology study characterized the structure and mechanism of NCS, confirming its stereoselective catalytic activity. It is a high-quality structural biology study focused on enzymes, but it does not include clinical trials or human data.
- https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/46196/1/RR_THESIS_finalsubmission.pdf – This structural enzymology thesis explored enzyme engineering and substrate specificity of NCS. It provides detailed enzymatic study and is preclinical, lacking human trials or direct clinical relevance for supplementation.
