In vitro characterization of transport and metabolism of the alkaloids: vincamine, vinpocetine and eburnamonine.

Purpose Vincamine, vinpocetine and eburnamonine are alkaloids known for their neuroprotective attributes, enhancement of cerebrovascular blood flow and antitumor effect of their derivatives. However, the relative metabolic stability of these alkaloids and their extrusion by the drug efflux transporters expressed at the blood–brain barrier (BBB) are not clear. In this study, we developed rapid and sensitive methods for the detection of these alkaloids and investigated their relative metabolic stability and their interaction with drug efflux transporters.