ARECOLINE

 Arecoline is a naturally occurring alkaloid found mainly in the areca nut (the seed of the Areca catechu palm), which is commonly chewed in many parts of Asia and the Pacific—often wrapped in betel leaf with lime and sometimes tobacco (betel quid). 

• Type: Tertiary amine alkaloid 
• Formula: C₈H₁₃NO₂ 
•  IUPAC name: Methyl 1-methyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-3-carboxylate 
• Molecular Weight:  155.19 g/mol 
• Solubility: Readily soluble in water and ethanol.  
• pKa: ~6.8 (weak base) 
• Stability: Fairly stable in dry conditions, but hydrolyzes to arecaidine in alkaline environments (like lime used in betel quid). 
• Hydrolysis: is important—arecaidine is more potent in some physiological effects.
• Structure: Contains a methyl ester group and a piperidine ring.
• Taste: Bitter

 Arecoline acts as a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist—meaning it stimulates parts of the parasympathetic nervous system.

• Increases saliva and sweat production. 
• Speeds up gastrointestinal motility. 
• Causes pupil constriction (miosis).

Because of these effects, arecoline has been studied for:

• Potential cognitive benefits (e.g., in Alzheimer’s research due to cholinergic action) 
• Anthelmintic properties (historically used to expel intestinal worms in animals)

• Agonist of Muscuranic & nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
• Parasympathomimetic
• Ganglionic Stimulant
• Vermifuge
• Skin Whitening agent