Co-dergocrine

Imperato A, Obinu MC, Dazzi L, Carta G, Mascia MS, Casu MA, Gessa GL. (1994). Co-dergocrine (Hydergine) regulates striatal and hippocampal acetylcholine release through D2 receptors. Neuroreport. 5(6) 674-76. 

Few results are available from experiments in healthy volunteers involving the use of the older nootropic drugs, such as co-dergocrine mesylate, piracetam or... 

The ergotoxine alkaloid mixture also has oxytocic and vasoconstrictor activity but is only employed medicinally as the 9,10-dihydro derivatives dihydroergotoxine (co-dergocrine), a mixture in equal proportions of dihydroergocornine, dihydroergocristine, and the dihydroergocryptines (a- and p- in the ratio 2 1). In the case of these alkaloids, reduction of the double bond appears to reverse the vasoconstrictor effect, and dihydroergotoxine has a cerebral vasodilator activity. The increased blood flow is of benefit in some cases of senility and mild dementia, and helps to improve both mental function and physical performance. 

Note There is no evidence that nootropics (e.g. piracetam, nimodepine) are beneficial but some (e.g. co-dergocrine) may cause a minor improvement in neuropsychological and behavioural parameters. 

Synonyms. Co-dergocrine Methanesulphonate DEA DHAE Dihydroergotoxine Mesylate Dihydrogenated Ergot Alkaloids Hydrogenated Ergot Alkaloids. 

Thin-layer Chromatography. Co-dergocrine system TA—Rf 66 system TB—Rf 01 system TC—Rf 48 system TL—Rf 29 system m—Rf64. 

Co-dergocrine mesylate, 491 Co-dergocrine methanesulphonate, 491 Codicept, 490 Codlin, 490 Codone, 665... 

Co-dergocrine is the British Approved Name for a formulation that contains a combination of dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids dihydroergocornine mesilate, dihydro-ergocristine mesilate, and (in the ratio 2 1) a- and P-di-hydroergocryptine mesilates. It has been used for its supposed therapeutic effects on mood depression, confusion, and lack of self-care in the elderly, and purportedly acts by improving cerebral blood flow. The basis of these indications has been reviewed and has not been fully validated (1)(2)(3). 

Co-dergocrine is claimed to have some effect in brain ageing and has also been promoted as a metabohc enhancer, mainly because it protects against metabohc alterations induced by hjrpothermia and ischemia in animals (4). 

Many double-bhnd, controlled trials have been conducted with co-dergocrine in senile dementia, and almost all have reported improvements in scores on at least one psychomotor test scale. However, despite this evidence of short-term efficacy, many skeptical clinicians stiU consider it to be no better than placebo, and find support from a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which a group treated with the recommended dosage of 1 mg tds for 24 weeks did not perform better after treatment than did the placebo-treated group (5). The clinical value of co-dergocrine in patients with claudication and rest pain is poorly documented. 

Nitrates and similar vasodilators are used particularly to treat angina attacks, but are not specific coronary vasodilators. They work by redistributing blood flow in the periphery and so beneficially reduce load on the heart. There is a perceived need for cerebral vasodilators that may have a potential use in certain neurological disorders (dementia), and some agents are thought to be active here, e.g. nimodipine and co-dergocrine mesylate. 

Co-dergocrine has an a-receptor blocking and a centrally depressive effect. As distinct... 

Peripheral vasodilators and other ergot alkaloids (Co-dergocrine) are classified in C04A... 

Wadworth AN, Crisp P (1992) Co-Dergocrine Mesylate. A Review of its Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Properties and Therapeutic Use in Age-related Cognitive Decline. Drugs Aging 2 153... 

Wadworth, A.N. and Chrisp, P. (1992) Co-Dergocrine Mesylate. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic use in age-related cognitive decline. Drugs Aging, 2,153-173. 

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