Manzamine A hydrochloride is an orally active beta-carboline alkaloid that exhibits specific inhibitory effects on GSK-3β (IC50 = 10.2 μM) and CDK-5 (IC50 = 1.5 μM). Additionally, it targets vacuolar ATPases, leading to the inhibition of autophagy in pancreatic cancer cells. Manzamine A hydrochloride possesses antimalarial and anticancer properties, and also demonstrates potent activity against HSV-1[4].

CDK5:1.5 μM (IC50), GSK-3β:10.2 μM (IC50)

Manzamine A increases acidity in pancreatic cancer cells and non-malignant Vero cells. manzamine A is a potential inhibitor of autophagy by preventing autophagosome turnover. Manzamine A (10 μM; 2 hours; AsPC-1 cells) clearly induced an accumulation of p62 confirming an inhibition of autophagosome turnover[2]. Manzamine A represents an important lead structure for the development of novel antimalarial chemotherapies[3].