Harman

Harman is a naturally occurring organic compound that is found in a variety of plants and foods. It is a member of the beta-carboline family of compounds, which are known for their psychoactive properties. Harman has been studied for its potential therapeutic effects in a range of medical conditions, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and depression.

Chemistry

Harman is a heterocyclic compound with a structure that includes a pyridine ring fused to a pyrrole ring. This structure is characteristic of the beta-carboline family of compounds. Harman is a weak base, with a pKa of 8.2. It is soluble in water and organic solvents.

Sources

Harman is found in a variety of plants and foods. It is particularly abundant in the Passiflora genus of plants, which includes the passion fruit. It is also found in tobacco, coffee, and certain types of beer and wine. Harman can also be produced in the human body as a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan.

Pharmacology

Harman acts as an inhibitor of the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO), which is involved in the breakdown of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. By inhibiting MAO, harman can increase the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain. This has led to interest in the potential use of harman as a treatment for conditions such as depression and Parkinson's disease.

Medical Research

Research into the potential therapeutic effects of harman is ongoing. Some studies have suggested that it may have neuroprotective effects, potentially slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Other research has focused on the potential use of harman in the treatment of depression, given its ability to increase levels of serotonin in the brain.

Safety

While harman is naturally occurring and found in a variety of foods, it is not without potential risks. High levels of harman have been associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer, particularly esophageal cancer. This is thought to be due to the compound's ability to interact with DNA and cause mutations.

See Also

• Beta-carboline
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
• Neurotransmitter