Yohimbine HCL

Yohimbine HCL (yohimbine hydrochloride) is the hydrochloride salt of yohimbine, an indole alkaloid with about a century of use as a reference α₂-adrenoceptor antagonist in receptor pharmacology. Researchers have measured its affinity at the human α_2A, α_2B and α_2C subtypes, used it to raise noradrenergic firing in the rat locus coeruleus, applied it as a pharmacological stressor in rodent reinstatement models, and examined α₂ blockade in isolated rat adipocytes. Research Market supplies yohimbine HCl as a research reagent, with identity and purity data for each lot on the certificate of analysis. It is sold strictly for laboratory research use.

Chemical structure and identification

• Molecular formula: C₂₁H₂₇ClN₂O₃
• Molecular weight: 390.9 g/mol
• CAS number: 65-19-0
• PubChem CID: 6169
• Synonyms: yohimbine hydrochloride, yohimbine monohydrochloride
• Form: Supplied in a sealed research vial
• Analytical methods: Identity and purity data reported on the batch certificate of analysis

Research applications

• α₂-adrenoceptor binding: In ³H-rauwolscine whole-cell binding across CHO cells expressing human α_2A, α_2B or α_2C receptors, yohimbine was classed with RX821002, RS79948 and atipamezole as a high-affinity, non-selective α₂ antagonist [1]
• Central noradrenergic activity: In anesthetized rats, systemic yohimbine increased noradrenergic cell firing in the locus coeruleus and catecholamine release in the amygdala; clonidine pretreatment prevented both effects [2]
• Stress-induced reinstatement models: Used as a pharmacological stressor in alcohol-preferring rats; Fos mapping across 42 brain regions compared home-cage yohimbine with yohimbine-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking [3]
• Adipocyte α₂/β₃ interaction: In isolated rat white adipocytes, yohimbine increased glycerol release in a concentration-dependent manner and potentiated a β₃-adrenergic agonist, while in vivo it lowered body temperature and blocked the agonist’s thermogenic effect [4]

Reference citations

1. Proudman R.G.W. et al. (2022). The affinity and selectivity of α-adrenoceptor antagonists, antidepressants and antipsychotics for the human α2A, α2B, and α2C-adrenoceptors and comparison with human α1 and β-adrenoceptors. Pharmacol Res Perspect, 10(2):e00936. PMID 35224877 · DOI
2. Crespi F. (2009). Anxiolytics antagonize yohimbine-induced central noradrenergic activity: a concomitant in vivo voltammetry-electrophysiology model of anxiety. J Neurosci Methods, 180(1):97–105. PMID 19427535 · DOI
3. Walker L.C. et al. (2020). Pattern of neural activation following yohimbine-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking in rats. Eur J Neurosci, 51(3):706–720. PMID 31066114 · DOI
4. Gómez-Ambrosi J. et al. (2001). Divergent effects of an alpha2-adrenergic antagonist on lipolysis and thermogenesis: interactions with a beta3-adrenergic agonist in rats. Int J Mol Med, 8(1):103–109. PMID 11408957

Compound data from PubChem CID 6169. Literature summaries describe published preclinical research and are not claims about this product’s effects in humans or animals.