The invention belongs to the field of
medicine and particularly relates to an application of
coptisine serving as an indoleamine 2, 3-
dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor. The
coptisine is an IDO reversible inhibitor, the inhibitor constant Ki is 5.76mu M, the half effective inhibition concentration (IC50)
in vitro and at a
cell level is 6.31mu M and 7.11mu M respectively, and the inhibition effect is obviously better than that of existing inhibitor of 1-methyl trytophan. According to the application of the
coptisine serving as the indoleamine 2, 3-
dioxygenase inhibitor, the coptisine is used as the IDO inhibitor so that IDO activity which rises abnormally in a
neuron cell model and an
animal model in alzheimer
disease is effectively lowered, functions of curing alzheimer
disease are achieved, and the functions include a protective function to
neuron cells, an anti-
apoptosis function and a function of improving learning and memory capabilities of animals having alzheimer
disease. The coptisine and
hydrochloride of the coptisine are used as an IDO inhibitor so that the application prospect is wide, and the coptisine and the
hydrochloride of the coptisine can be used for curing serious diseases with
pathological characteristics of IDO mediates and trytophan metabolic pathways such as alzheimer disease, depressive disorders, cancers, acquired
immune deficiency syndrome, cataract and the like.