Theobromine

Theobromine is a methylxanthine alkaloid and derivative of caffeine (Item No. 14118) that has been found in cocoa beans and has diverse biological activities.^1,2,3 It is an adenosine A₁ receptor antagonist (IC₅₀s = 200-280 μM in radioligand binding assays using rat brain membranes).² Theobromine (150 μg/ml) increases AMPK phosphorylation and inhibits adipocyte differentiation, ERK and JNK phosphorylation, and IL-6 and TNF-α production in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes cultured in differentiation medium.¹ It inhibits decreases in renal cortex SIRT1 activity and increases in NADPH oxidase-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well as reduces kidney hypertrophy and albuminuria in a spontaneously hypertensive rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes when administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg per day.³ Theobromine is toxic to dogs with an LD₅₀ value of 250 to 500 mg/kg.⁴

WARNING This product is not for human or veterinary use.

1. Jang, Y.J., Koo, H.J., Sohn, E.-H., et al. Theobromine inhibits differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells during the early stage of adipogenesis via AMPK and MAPK signaling pathways. Food Funct. 6(7), 2365-2374 (2015).

2. Daly, J.W., Butts-Lamb, P., and Padgett, W. Subclasses of adenosine receptors in the central nervous system: Interaction with caffeine and related methylxanthines. Cell. Mol. Neurobiol. 3(1), 69-80 (1983).

3. Papadimitriou, A., Silva, K.C., Peixoto, E.B.M.I., et al. Theobromine increases NAD⁺/Sirt-1 activity and protects the kidney under diabetic conditions. Am. J. Physiol. Renal Physiol. 308(3), F209-F225 (2015).

4. Lawrence, L.P. Chocolate toxicosis. The 5-minute veterinary consult: Canine and feline (2004).