Vasicinone is a quinazoline alkaloid. It shows bronchodilatory activity in vitro but bronchoconstrictory activity in vivo. Vasicinone was shown to have an antianaphylactic action. Vasicinone has also been studied in combination with the related alkaloid vasicine. Both the alkaloids in combination (1:1) showed pronounced bronchodilatory activity in vivo and in vitro. Both alkaloids are also respiratory stimulants. Vasicine has a cardiac–depressant effect, while vasicinone is a weak cardiac stimulant; the effect can be normalized by combining the alkaloids. Vasicine is reported to have a uterine stimulant effect. The proposed HPTLC densitometric method for the quantification of the 4 compounds was found to be simple, precise, specific, sensitive, and accurate. It can be used for routine quality control of P. harmala seed and has the ability to quantify the 4 marker compounds in the formulations containing P. harmala.
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