Harmane

methanol: soluble 50 mg/mlHarmane (harman) is a heterocyclic amine found in a variety of foods including coffee, sauces, and cooked meat. It is also present in tobacco smoke. Harmane (harman) is a heterocyclic amine found in a variety of foods including coffee, sauces, and cooked meat. It is also present in tobacco smoke. Harmane is a methylated derivative of β-carboline with the molecular formula C12H10N2. Harmane is a potent reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (RIMA) and acts as a moderate affinity inverse agonist at the benzodiazepine site of the GABA-A receptor. Harmane has been suggested as a potential candidate (or component thereof) for the endogeneous ligand of imidazoline receptor, although the evidence is limited and equivocal. In the rat, harmane damages certain dopaminergic dendritic arbors at sufficiently high doses. Blood levels of harmane and similar beta-carbolines are associated with essential tremor and Parkinson's disease.