Nicotryine is lesser known and minor tobacco alkaloid. It inhibits metabolism of nicotine through CYP2A6 enzyme inhibition (Ki = 7.5 ± 2.9). It also inhibits CYP2A13 (Ki = 5.6 ± 0.86) which might play role in nicotine metabolism. Nicotyrine is formed by gradual oxidation of nicotine in e-liquids and causes delayed nicotine clearance and attenuated withdrawal symptoms.

It has insecticidal properties like nicotine and certain derivatives have been synthesized for that property.

Chemistry

alpha-nicotyrine and beta-nicotyrine are positional isomers of each other.

Synthesis

Nicotyrine can be produced readily from nicotine by catalytic dehydrogenation and from tobacco biomass by catalytic pyrolysis.

See also