LONGATIN

Noscapine is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid from plants of the poppy family, without painkilling properties. Noscapine is often used as an antitussive medication. Noscapine can increase the effects of centrally sedating substances such as alcohol and hypnotics. Noscapine, and its synthetic derivatives called noscapinoids, are known to interact with microtubules and inhibit cancer cell proliferation. Mechanisms for its antitussive action are unknown, although animal studies have suggested central nervous system as a site of action. Furthermore, noscapine causes apoptosis in many cell types and has potent antitumor activity against solid murine lymphoid tumors (even when the drug was administered orally) and against human breast and bladder tumors implanted in nude mice. Antifibrotic effect of noscapine based on novel mechanism, which it shows through EP2 prostaglandin E2 receptor-mediated activation of protein kinase A.