Anatabine (uh-nat-uh-been,-bin) is one of the minoralkaloids found in plants in the familySolanaceae, which includes thetobacco plant andtomato. Commercial tobacco plants typically produce alkaloids at levels between 2% and 4% of total dry weight,[1] withnicotine accounting for about 90% of the total alkaloid content, and the related compounds anatabine,nornicotine, andanabasine making up nearly all the rest.[2] These compounds are thought to be biologically active, and part of plants' natural defense system against insects.[2]
Anatabine hasanti-inflammatory activity partly through inhibition ofSTAT3 phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo.[3]
Star Scientific developed and sold the compound as adietary supplement primarily through GNC up until mid 2014. Subsequently, Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals (formerly a subsidiary ofStar Scientific), headquartered in Florida, began developing anatabine as adrug.[5][6] The dietary supplements were known as Anatabloc and CigRx; the company has also marketed cosmetics with the Anatabloc brand.[5] Rock Creek had been working on synthetic methods to scale up production of anatabine and has fundedpre-clinical andclinical research in severalindications.[5]
In 2013 the FDA warned Star Scientific for unlawfully promoting CigRx and Anatabloc before anatabine was proved to be safe.[7][8] Subsequently, new management and a mostly new board under the banner of Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals withdrew the dietary supplement because of the FDA's concerns.
In 2013, Star Scientific became embroiled in political scandal, when news broke that the governor of Virginia,Bob McDonnell, and his wife had received significant loans and gifts fromJonnie Williams Sr, the CEO of the company. They were found to have helped the company in several ways like arranging meetings with top officials and giving special favors from the state government.[6] Williams resigned in 2014 and the company changed its name and restructured its board and management at the end of 2013 due to the scandal.[5]
However, the accumulated legal costs from the defense of Jonnie Williams in the McDonnell scandal overwhelmed the company's finances and it filed for bankruptcy in 2016.[9] As a consequence, the development and clinical trials of anatabine were halted indefinitely.
Anatabine has been studied in animal models and in cells to see if it might be useful for treatingnicotine addiction andinflammation, and has been studied in models of diseases characterized by inflammation, such asAlzheimer's disease,[10]thyroiditis,[11] andmultiple sclerosis.[4] Anatabine cream was helpful in managing mild to moderaterosacea.[12] An internet based survey showed 82% users reported a benefit from anatabine supplementation for one or more joint pain conditions.[13]
^Paris D, Beaulieu-Abdelahad D, Abdullah L, Bachmeier C, Ait-Ghezala G, Reed J, Verma M, Crawford F, Mullan M (January 2013). "Anti-inflammatory activity of anatabine via inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation".European Journal of Pharmacology.698 (1–3):145–53.doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.11.017.PMID23178521.
^abMello NK, Fivel PA, Kohut SJ, Caine SB (February 2014). "Anatabine significantly decreases nicotine self-administration".Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology.22 (1):1–8.doi:10.1037/a0035409.PMID24490707.S2CID15879738. Note: content is supported by discussion section which provides a brief review of research to date.
