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Dopamine

Moderate
Catecholamine

Mechanism of Action

Dioscorea tubers contain unusually high concentrations of free dopamine (up to 40 mg/100 g fresh weight in some cultivars), though oral bioavailability is limited by extensive first-pass metabolism by monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in the gut wall and liver. The dopamine content may contribute to antioxidant effects locally in the GI tract, as catecholamines are potent radical scavengers. Some researchers hypothesize that dopamine metabolites (DOPAC, homovanillic acid) produced during digestion may retain bioactivity.

Research Notes

Chinese Yam (Shan Yao)TCM

Analytical studies confirmed dopamine concentrations of 0.25% in dried D. opposita tuber (Noda et al., Biosci Biotech Biochem, 2002). In vitro DPPH and ORAC assays showed dopamine fractions from Dioscorea exhibit significant radical-scavenging capacity. No clinical trials have specifically examined the effects of Dioscorea-derived dopamine in humans. The clinical relevance of dietary dopamine from yam consumption remains speculative given extensive first-pass metabolism.

Found In 1 Herb

Chinese Yam (Shan Yao)

Chinese Yam (Shan Yao)

TCM

3D Molecular Structure

Catecholamine
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Dopamine

CatecholamineBioactive phytochemical with therapeutic properties

Representative pattern: C₄H₂NO

Atoms
Carbon
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Hydrogen

Live Research

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