Tamara Antonio, Steven R. Childers, Richard B. Rothman, Christina M. Dersch, Christine King, Martin Kuehne, William G. Bornmann, Amy J. Eshleman, Aaron Janowsky, Eric R. Simon, Maarten E. A. Reith, Kenneth Alper

The iboga alkaloids are a class of small molecules defined structurally on the basis of a common ibogamine skeleton, some of which modify opioid withdrawal and drug self-administration in humans and preclinical models. These compounds may represent an innovative approach to neurobiological investigation and development of addiction pharmacotherapy. In particular, the use of the prototypic iboga alkaloid ibogaine for opioid detoxification in humans raises the question of whether its effect is mediated by an opioid agonist action, or if it represents alternative and possibly novel mechanism of action. The aim of this study was to independently replicate and extend evidence regarding the activation of μ-opioid receptor (MOR)-related G proteins by iboga alkaloids.