Its mechanism of action is d2 antagonist like APs and D1 agonist for negative symptoms like Clozapine. Stepholidine its active chemical in research studies is said to be antipsychotic. Amazon US has alcohol free extract. I didn’t find any here in Canada.
(−)-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.
Stephania is a root used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has been found to have several benefits, including diuresis, kidney protection, anti-inflammation, and diabetes prevention. It is also used as a remedy for rheumatoid arthritis, wet beriberi, dysuria, eczema, inflamed sores, warm malaria, edema, typhoid fever, and stroke ¹. However, it is important to note that Stephania root may cause side effects such as liver toxicity, low blood pressure, headaches, and the widening of blood vessels ¹²³.
I guess no one sells pure Stepholidine, its only sold for research labs with permit and the Stephania extract on Amazon is a whole plant extract so they don’t state how much Stepholidine it has. Its amazing though that a plant has the same mechanism of action as APs.
Conclusions: Thus, l-stepholidine shows efficacy like an “atypical” antipsychotic in traditional animal models predictive of antipsychotic activity and shows in vitro and in vivo D(1) agonism, and, if its rapid elimination does not limit its actions, it could provide a unique therapeutic approach to schizophrenia.
I read that its the tetrandrine and bisbenzylisoquinolines that might cause liver toxicity in it and not the AP component Stepholidine. But yeah I won’t try it unless its pure Stepholidine which is only sold to labs.