Pilocarpine HCl is a nonselective muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist used to produce an experimental model of epilepsy. Target: mAChR Pilocarpine is a parasympathomimetic alkaloid obtained from the leaves of tropical American shrubs from the genus Pilocarpus. It is a non-selective muscarinic receptor agonist in the parasympathetic nervous system, which acts therapeutically at themuscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3 due to its topical application, e.g., in glaucoma and xerostomia. Pilocarpine acts on a subtype of muscarinic receptor (M3) found on the iris sphincter muscle, causing the muscle to contract and engage in miosis [1]. Pilocarpine also acts on the ciliary muscle and causes it to contract. When the ciliary muscle contracts, it opens the trabecular meshwork through increased tension on the scleral spur. This action facilitates the rate that aqueous humorleaves the eye to decrease intraocular pressure. In ophthalmology, pilocarpine is also used to reduce the possibility of glare at night from lights when the patient has undergone implantation of phakic intraocular lenses; the use of pilocarpine would reduce the size of the pupils, relieving these symptoms. The most common concentration for this use is pilocarpine 1%, the weakest concentration. Pilocarpine is also used to treat dry mouth (xerostomia) which can occur, for example, as a side effect of radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. Pilocarpine stimulates the secretion of large amounts of saliva and sweat [2].

• [1]. Maslanski, J.A., et al., Assessment of the muscarinic receptor subtypes involved in pilocarpine-induced seizures in mice. Neurosci Lett, 1994. 168(1-2): p. 225-8.

  [2]. Mayorga, A.J., et al., Characterization of the muscarinic receptor subtype mediating pilocarpine-induced tremulous jaw movements in rats. Eur J Pharmacol, 1999. 364(1): p. 7-11.

• [1]. Maslanski, J.A., et al., Assessment of the muscarinic receptor subtypes involved in pilocarpine-induced seizures in mice. Neurosci Lett, 1994. 168(1-2): p. 225-8.

  [2]. Mayorga, A.J., et al., Characterization of the muscarinic receptor subtype mediating pilocarpine-induced tremulous jaw movements in rats. Eur J Pharmacol, 1999. 364(1): p. 7-11.

244.72

C₁₁H₁₇ClN₂O₂

54-71-7

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere

H₂O: ≥ 37 mg/mL; DMSO: 6.8 mg/mL

* "<1 mg/ml"="" means="" slightly="" soluble="" or="" insoluble.="" "≥"="" means="" soluble,="" but="" saturation="">