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Methylxanthines are chemical compounds which are derivatives of xanthine with one or more methyl groups, including: One methyl group: 1-Methylxanthine;
7-Methylxanthine (7-MX), also known as heteroxanthine, is an active metabolite of caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) and theobromine (3,7-dimethylxanthine). [ 1 ] [ 2 ] It is a non-selective antagonist of the adenosine receptors .
Around thirty plant species are known to contain caffeine. [220] Common sources are the "beans" (seeds) of the two cultivated coffee plants, Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (the quantity varies, but 1.3% is a typical value); and of the cocoa plant, Theobroma cacao; the leaves of the tea plant; and kola nuts.
Xanthine (/ ˈ z æ n θ iː n / or / ˈ z æ n θ aɪ n /, from Ancient Greek ξανθός xanthós ' yellow ' for its yellowish-white appearance; archaically xanthic acid; systematic name 3,7-dihydropurine-2,6-dione) is a purine base found in most human body tissues and fluids, as well as in other organisms. [2]
Paraxanthine is not known to be produced by plants [1] but is observed in nature as a metabolite of caffeine in animals and some species of bacteria. [2]Paraxanthine is the primary metabolite of caffeine in humans and other animals, such as mice. [3]
The plant contains chemicals that are toxic to animals including humans, but it has also been used as a medicine. All parts of the plant contain protoanemonin , which can cause severe skin and gastrointestinal irritation, bitter taste and burning in the mouth and throat, mouth ulcers, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and hematemesis .
Tyramine is a phenethylamine that occurs widely in plants [1] and animals, and is metabolized by various enzymes, including monoamine oxidases. Substituted phenethylamines like mescaline and lophophine are found in psychoactive cactus .
Theobromine has no significant stimulant effect on the human central nervous system. [4] It is a bronchodilator and causes relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. [4] It is not currently used as a prescription drug. [5] The amount of theobromine found in chocolate is small enough that chocolate can, in general, be safely consumed by humans.