Molecular target
Phosphodiesterase-4
Enzyme that hydrolyzes cAMP. Inhibition raises cellular cAMP, with anti-inflammatory and pro-cognitive consequences. Targeted by drugs such as roflumilast and apremilast and by mesembrenone (Sceletium).
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Pharmaceutical agents
Drugs that act on Phosphodiesterase-4
These medications have Phosphodiesterase-4 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 Phosphodiesterase-4
Each plant below contains a named compound documented to act on Phosphodiesterase-4. The compound and the reason for the connection are shown on every edge — a shared mechanism, not a therapeutic equivalence.
- MesembrenoneMesembrine-type alkaloid
Dual mechanism — selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor PLUS phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor. PDE4 inhibition raises intracellular cAMP, supporting neuroplasticity and memory. Dominant alkaloid in the Zembrin® standardized extract (mesembrenone + mesembrenol = >60% of profile). Terburg 2013 demonstrated reduced amygdala-hypothalamus coupling on fMRI with Zembrin.