Episode 94: Kanna Alkaloids - Pharmacology, Toxicity and Therapeutic Potential

This week on The Tox Lab, we're diving into the world of Kanna alkaloids.

We begin by exploring Kanna, its traditional use in southern Africa, and the growing interest in its potential effects on anxiety and depression. We take a closer look at the alkaloids found within Kanna, including mesembrine, and consider the pharmacology behind some of its reported effects.

We then turn to the potential harms associated with Kanna, examining in-silico toxicity prediction data for mesembrine and discussing what these predictions can, and cannot, tell us about the potential toxicity of the compound.

We also look at National Poison Data System data and the apparent increase in reported Kanna exposures, before exploring research into the potential cognitive effects of Kanna and whether these compounds could have a future role in treating conditions such as Alzheimer's dementia.

Join us as we explore the chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Kanna alkaloids, and consider whether this traditional plant could have a place in modern medicine.

Hope you enjoy!

This episode is very kindly sponsored by Cayman Chemical. Check out their Kanna Alkaloid Mix here: https://www.caymanchem.com/product/45074/kanna-alkaloids-mixture

Links to the papers we discussed:

https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/a-2809-5144

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874123009819?via%3Dihub

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0009279725002789?via%3Dihub

https://www.acmt.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-ASM-abstracts.pdf

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2014/682014

Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.

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