GABA transaminase inhibitor

A GABA transaminase inhibitor is an enzyme inhibitor that acts upon GABA transaminase.^[1]

Examples include valproic acid,^[2] vigabatrin,^[3][4] phenylethylidenehydrazine, ethanolamine-O-sulfate (EOS), and L-cycloserine.^[5]

Certain members of this class are used as anticonvulsants.

There is some evidence that Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), and the rosmarinic acid it contains, inhibits GABA transaminase.^[6]

References

1. Ciesielski, L.; Simler, S.; Gensburger, C.; Mandel, P.; Taillandier, G.; Benoit-Guyod, J. L.; Boucherle, A.; Cohen-Addad, C.; Lajzerowicz, J. (1979). "GABA transaminase inhibitors". Advances in experimental medicine and biology. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 123: 21–41. doi:10.1007/978-1-4899-5199-1_2. ISBN 978-1-4899-5201-1. PMID 390993.
2. Bruni, J.; Wilder, B. J. (1979). "Valproic acid. Review of a new antiepileptic drug". Archives of neurology 36 (7): 393–398. doi:10.1001/archneur.1979.00500430023002. PMID 110294.
3. Wang QP, Jammoul F, Duboc A; et al. (April 2008). "Treatment of epilepsy: the GABA-transaminase inhibitor, vigabatrin, induces neuronal plasticity in the mouse retina". Eur. J. Neurosci. 27 (8): 2177–87. doi:10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06175.x. PMC 2933832. PMID 18412635.
4. Gibson, J. P.; Yarrington, J. T.; Loudy, D. E.; Gerbig, C. G.; Hurst, G. H.; Newberne, J. W. (1990). "Chronic toxicity studies with vigabatrin, a GABA-transaminase inhibitor". Toxicologic pathology 18 (2): 225–238. PMID 2399411.
5. Polc, P.; Pieri, L.; Bonetti, E. P.; Scherschlicht, R.; Moehler, H.; Kettler, R.; Burkard, W.; Haefely, W. (1986). "L-cycloserine: Behavioural and biochemical effects after single and repeated administration to mice, rats and cats". Neuropharmacology 25 (4): 411–418. doi:10.1016/0028-3908(86)90236-4. PMID 3012401.
6. Awad, R.; Levac, D.; Cybulska, P.; Merali, Z.; Trudeau, V. L.; Arnason, J. T. (2007). "Effects of traditionally used anxiolytic botanicals on enzymes of the γ -aminobutyric acid (GABA) systemThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue (part 1 of 2) on the Safety and Efficacy of Natural Health Products". Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 85 (9): 933–942. doi:10.1139/Y07-083. PMID 18066140.