Role of agmatine in neurodegenerative diseases and epilepsy

Front Biosci (Elite Ed). 2014 Jun 1;6(2):341-59. doi: 10.2741/E710.

Abstract

Agmatine, a cationic polyamine synthesized after decarboxylation of L-arginine by the enzyme arginine decarboxylase, is an endogenous neuromodulator that emerges as a potential agent to manage diverse central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Consistent with its neuromodulatory and neuroprotective properties, there is increasing number of preclinical studies demonstrating the beneficial effects of exogenous agmatine administration on depression, anxiety, hypoxic ischemia, nociception, morphine tolerance, memory, Parkinson`s disease, Alzheimer`s disease, traumatic brain injury related alterations/disorders and epilepsy. The aim of this review is to summarize the knowledge about the effects of agmatine in CNS and point out its potential as new pharmacological treatment for diverse neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, some molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of agmatine will be discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Agmatine / administration & dosage
  • Agmatine / pharmacology*
  • Agmatine / therapeutic use
  • Antidepressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antidepressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain Injuries / drug therapy*
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism*
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Learning / drug effects
  • Memory / drug effects
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / administration & dosage
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Agmatine