Effects of Co-Dergocrine on Other Organs and Cells

Abstract

The dihydrogenation of peptide alkaloids, particularly selective saturation of the 9-10 double bond of the lysergic-acid moiety, results in compounds with activities considerably different from those of the parent compounds [439, 441, 447]. In uterine effects dihydrogenated and natural alkaloids differ most, as already stated in 1946 [441]: “The action of the dihydrogenated alkaloids on the uterus is entirely different from that of the natural alkaloids. Not only have the former lost the latter’s excitatory effect on the uterus, but they are also able to inhibit in vitro and in situ the powerful stimulatory action of natural alkaloids such as ergotamine and ergotoxine.” Subsequent studies have confirmed this statement in animals with only few exceptions, while findings in man are usually at variance [456].