(-)-Stepholidine: a potential novel antipsychotic drug with dual D1 receptor agonist and D2 receptor antagonist actions

(-)-Stepholidine (SPD), an active ingredient of the Chinese herb Stephania, is a dopamine D1 receptor agonist and a D2 receptor antagonist. The dual actions of SPD have been demonstrated in both cortical and subcortical structures, including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area and basal ganglia dopamine systems. D1 receptor dysfunction in the mPFC and D2 receptor hyperactivity in the subcortex are thought to occur in sufferers of schizophrenia. Thus, the dual effects of SPD suggest that this compound might represent a novel antipsychotic agent.