Molecular target
M3 Muscarinic Receptor
Postganglionic parasympathetic acetylcholine receptor. Antagonism in the airway (tiotropium, ipratropium) produces bronchodilation; in the bladder (solifenacin) it relieves overactive bladder. Plant alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine) are classical M3 antagonists.
Educational use only. This page summarizes published research and traditional-use records for educational purposes. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Do not start, stop, or change medications based on this information. Discuss any decisions about therapies — pharmaceutical or botanical — with a qualified clinician who knows your medical history.
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Pharmaceutical agents
Drugs that act on M3 Muscarinic Receptor
These medications have M3 Muscarinic Receptor among their molecular targets. Sharing a target is a mechanistic relationship — it does not make any plant below an alternative to, or substitute for, these drugs.
Botanical connections
Plants whose compounds act on M3 Muscarinic Receptor
Each plant below contains a named compound documented to act on M3 Muscarinic Receptor. The compound and the reason for the connection are shown on every edge — a shared mechanism, not a therapeutic equivalence.
- AtropineTropane alkaloid
Non-selective muscarinic antagonist. The same atropine in modern emergency medicine (organophosphate poisoning, bradycardia, pre-anesthesia) — but in plant material at unpredictable doses, leading to toxic poisoning rather than therapeutic effect.
- Scopolamine (hyoscine)Tropane alkaloid
More CNS-penetrant than atropine — produces anticholinergic delirium, sedation, amnesia. Modern medical use: motion sickness patch (Transderm Scop). Plant origin: Datura, Hyoscyamus, Brugmansia.
- L-HyoscyamineTropane alkaloid
Single-enantiomer of atropine (atropine is the racemic mixture). Modern use: L-hyoscyamine (Levsin) for IBS / antispasmodic.
- HyoscyamineTropane alkaloid
Potent competitive antagonist at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M1, M2, M3); the levo-isomer is the primary naturally occurring form and is pharmacologically more active than its racemate (atropine). Biosynthesised in H. niger roots via the littorine → hyoscyamine rearrangement catalysed by CYP80F1, as characterised in mechanistic studies.
- ScopolamineTropane alkaloid (epoxide)
Central and peripheral muscarinic antagonist; biosynthesised from hyoscyamine via hyoscyamine 6β-hydroxylase (H6H), a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase characterised from H. niger root cultures. Shares anticholinergic mechanism but with greater CNS penetration than hyoscyamine.
- HyoscyamineTropane alkaloid
Competitive antagonist at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M1, M2, M3) in both central and peripheral nervous systems; studies report anticholinergic effects including antisecretory, antispasmodic, and CNS depressant activity.
- Hyoscine (scopolamine)Tropane alkaloid
Muscarinic receptor antagonist with additional activity at nicotinic receptors; reported to produce sedation, amnesia, and antiemetic effects via CNS muscarinic blockade. Shares mechanism with pharmaceutical scopolamine.