Tetrahydropalmatine (THP)

Tetrahydropalmatine (THP) is an alkaloid found in several different plant species. The pharmaceutical industry has synthetically produced the more potent enantiomer Levo-tetrahydropalmatine (Levo-THP), which has been marketed worldwide under different brand names as an alternative to anxiolytic and sedative drugs of the benzodiazepine group and analgesics such as opiates. It is also sold as a dietary supplement. Tetrahydropalmatine has been demonstrated to possess analgesic effects and may be beneficial in the treatment of heart disease and liver damage. It is a blocker of voltage-activated L-type calcium channel active potassium channels.[citation needed] It is a potent muscle relaxant.[citation needed] It has also shown potential in the treatment of drug addiction to both cocaine and opiates, and preliminary human studies have shown promising results.