Active Ingredients

 Afriplex® Sceletium Extract is standardised for key mesembrine-type alkaloids, selected for a balanced functional profile.

Alkaloid Profile and Functional Rationale

Afriplex® Sceletium Extract is standardised primarily for key mesembrine-type alkaloids:

  • Mesembrenone — explored in scientific literature for its role in stress-related neurochemical pathways.
  • Mesembrine — studied for its interaction with neurotransmitter systems involved in mood and emotional regulation.

The combined presence of these alkaloids contributes to a balanced functional profile for nutraceutical applications.

Mesembrine and related compounds are recognised as serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. The accompanying figure illustrates mesembrine’s inhibition of serotonin (5-HT) uptake in relation to monoamine uptake.

Afriplex® has specifically focused on the mesembrine and mesembrenone alkaloids for standardisation and reproducibility.

Mesembrine on monoamine uptake graph
Figure: Mesembrine inhibition of serotonin (5-HT) uptake vs monoamine uptake (Gericke & Viljoen, 2008).

Active Alkaloids

Alkaloid Structures

Afriplex® Sceletium Extract is standardised for key mesembrine-type alkaloids. The structures below represent mesembrenone and mesembrine.

Mesembrenone structure
Mesembrenone structure
Mesembrine structure
Mesembrine structure

References available upon request.
Key references include Gericke & Viljoen (2008); Smith et al. (2008); Makelo et al. (2019).

Functional Positioning

Functional Rationale

Afriplex® Sceletium Extract is developed to support applications related to emotional balance, stress response, and cognitive calm.

Mesembrenone is recognised as a key contributor to serotonin re-uptake inhibition, while mesembrine has been investigated for its role in supporting central nervous system function and overall functional wellbeing.

Reference: Makelo, F. et al. (2019).

No claims are made to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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