Lobeline

Abstract

Lobeline is mainly present in Lobelia chinensis, Lobelia inflata, Campanula medium, Lobelia hassleri, and Lobelia nicotianaefolia (Wang et al. Changchun Univ Tradit Chin Med. 2008;9-14). It is a selective activator for the peripheral chemical receptors, then reflexively excites the respiratory center, and deepens breathing. Further study showed lobeline has the effect of inhibiting drug addiction by inhibiting the dopamine release and relieving the psychiatric symptoms due to the nicotine withdrawal. Moreover, it also showed anticancer effect by inhibiting the uptake of oxygen in mice. In clinical practice, it is mainly used for the treatment of neonatal asphyxia, carbon monoxide cause suffocation, and so on.