Deserpidine (Harmonyl) is an alkaloid isolated from the root of Rauwolfia canescens related to Reserpine. Deserpidine is used as an antihypertensive agent and a tranquilizer. Deserpidine is a competitive angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Deserpidine also decreases angiotensin II-induced aldosterone secretion by the adrenal cortex[1][2][3].
Deserpidine is an effective ganglionic blocking agent, which differs from Reserpine only by the absence of a methoxy group at C-11. Deserpidine has been used in the treatment of hypertension and psychosis. In addition, Deserpidine appears to act as a controller of other cardiac disorders[1][2].
[1]. Varchi G, et al. Synthesis of deserpidine from reserpine. J Nat Prod. 2005 Nov;68(11):1629-31. [2]. Zhang H, et al. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of deserpidine in human plasma: Application to a pharmacokinetic study. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2009 Oct 1;877(27):3221-5. [3]. Fulton SC, et al. Comparison of the effectiveness of deserpidine, reserpine, and alpha-methyltyrosine on brain biogenic amines. Fed Proc. 1976 Dec;35(14):2558-62.