Molecular target
Serotonin Transporter
Also: 5-HTT, SLC6A4 · id SERT
Reuptake transporter that clears serotonin from the synaptic cleft. The primary pharmacological target of SSRIs.
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Pharmaceutical agents
Drugs that act on Serotonin Transporter
These medications have Serotonin Transporter 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 Serotonin Transporter
Each plant below contains a named compound documented to act on Serotonin Transporter. The compound and the reason for the connection are shown on every edge — a shared mechanism, not a therapeutic equivalence.
- MesembrineMesembrine-type alkaloid
High-affinity selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor with nanomolar SERT binding — pharmacologically comparable to known SSRIs. Basis for the HIGH-severity interaction warning with prescription SSRIs/SNRIs/MAOIs. Optimized in the Trimesemine™ standardization for serotonergic support without the cytotoxicity concerns of Δ7-rich extracts.
- 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.
- Δ7-Mesembrenone (Delta-7-Mesembrenone)Mesembrine-type alkaloid (delta-isomer)
Potent antioxidant and reactive-oxygen-species scavenger with neuroprotective and antiproliferative activity in vitro — but with dose-dependent cytotoxicity in cultured astrocytes (narrow safety margin). Bennett 2018 compared Δ7-rich extracts to Trimesemine™. Cytotoxicity profile is the basis for favoring standardized Zembrin® or Trimesemine™ over Δ7-enriched preparations of unknown chemotype.
- IbogaineIndole alkaloid (iboga-type)
Multi-target alkaloid — proposed μ-opioid antagonist or partial agonist, κ-opioid agonist, NMDA antagonist, SERT inhibitor, σ receptor binding, neurotrophic effects via GDNF upregulation. The 'visioning' phase of an ibogaine session lasts 12-36 hours. **QT prolongation** is the dominant safety concern.
- Noribogaine (active metabolite)Indole alkaloid
Hepatically demethylated metabolite with longer half-life than parent ibogaine; thought to mediate the post-acute mood-stabilizing and craving-reducing phase of ibogaine therapy.
- SafranalMonoterpene aldehyde
Volatile aroma compound; in vitro SERT inhibition and 5-HT1A modulation contribute to antidepressant signal.
- HyperforinPhloroglucinol
Primary antidepressant constituent; inhibits SERT, NET, and DAT through a non-classical mechanism (TRPC6-mediated). Major source of CYP3A4 induction → drug-interaction profile.
- Triterpene glycosides (actein, cimicifugoside)Triterpene glycoside
Modern mechanism understanding: serotonergic activity, NOT estrogen receptor binding. The confusion arose because the indication overlap with phytoestrogens (menopausal symptoms) was historically assumed to imply mechanism overlap — modern binding studies show no ER affinity.