Theacrine Research

The effects of TeacrineTM, a nature-identical purine alkaloid, on subjective measures of cognitive function, psychometric and hemodynamic indices in healthy humans: a randomized, double-blinded crossover pilot trial

This study was the most involved human trial of Theacrine (as Teacrine®) to date, and involved both single dose usage by some subjects and daily use over the course of 7 days by others.

Anchored VAS questionaires were used by subjects to report changes in their levels of physical and mental energy. In addition, subjects were monitored for any side effects, changes in hemodynamics, and other signs that Theacrine may pose a safety risk.

The study found Theacrine to be both safe and well tolerated and an effective energy boosting supplement.

Key Conclusions:

The 200 mg dose of TC caused significant improvements in energy (TC: +8.6% vs. PLA: -5.7%, P=0.049) and reductions in fatigue (TC: -6.7% vs. PLA: +5.8%, P=0.04). A trend for improved concentration was also noted (TC: +2.4% vs. PLA: -1.3%, P=0.07).
Improves subjective levels of energy and improves some aspects of cognitive performance.
No changes in systemic hemodynamics or side effect profiles were noted. The N=6 cohort study demonstrated moderate to large effect sizes (0.50 to 0.71) with the 200 mg dose of TC over a 7-day period of assessment for the following subjective measures: energy, fatigue, concentration, anxiety, motivation to exercise and libido.
Acts on both adenosinergic and dopaminergic pathways and appears to influence multiple neurochemical pathways.

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Locomotor activation by theacrine, a purine alkaloid structurally similar to caffeine: involvement of adenosine and dopamine receptors.

In this study, rats were injected with varying doses of Theacrine in order to assess its effects on their activity levels. Theacrine was also used in tandem with adenosine and dopamine receptor antagonists to examine whether or not Thearcine acts on those pathways.

Key Conclusions:

Theacrine is a purine alkaloid which is structually similar to caffeine
Theacrine works on both the adenosergic and dopaminergic pathways, suggesting it has a similar mechanism of action to caffeine.
Theacrine significantly increased locomotion in animal studies at doses of 28-45 mg/kg, and works as an adenosine receptor antagonist

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Theacrine, a purine alkaloid obtained from Camellia assamica var. kucha, attenuates restraint stress-provoked liver damage in mice.

This study was conducted to examine the ability of Theacrine to reduce or prevent stress induced liver damage in mice. Stress was induced in mice that resulted in liver damage, some of these mice were given varying doses of Theacrine afterwords and it was found to reverse the signs of liver damage in the mice that it was administrered to.

In vitro ORAC and a cellular antioxidant activity assay was also performed, which found Theacrine to be a potent antioxidant though it achieved these effects not by purging free radicals directly but by causing an elevation in liver glutithione.

Key Conclusions:

Theacrine has antioxidant properties, but this study found that these effects didn't seem to be caused by direct action on free radical clearance, but rather due an increase in glutiathione levels in the liver.
Theacrine may help prevent liver damage.
Theacrine may help attenuate some of the negative health effects of stress, and is possibly a good candidate for treating lifestyle diseases.

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Theacrine, a purine alkaloid with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.

In this study theacrine was tested on mice for possible anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain reducing) effects. The study found that theacrine was effective both as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic supplement.

Key Conclusions:

Oral administration of theacrine (8-32 mg/kg) induced dose-related anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain reducing) effects. In contrast, oral caffeine administration (8-32 mg/kg) DID NOT show an inhibitory effect on the inhibition of inflammatory response or cause analgesia.
The result of the acute toxicity test showed that the LD(50) of theacrine was 810.6 mg/kg (769.5-858.0mg/kg) It is therefore VERY difficult to overdose on theacrine

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Theacrine, a special purine alkaloid with sedative and hypnotic properties from Cammelia assamica var. kucha in mice.

In this study the effects of low dose Theacrine on the central nervous system were investigated. It was found to act as both a sedative and hypnotic at low doses.

Key Conclusions:

Low doses of theacrine such as those found in Kucha tea are known to produce a sedative effect.
This study found that theacrine possessed potent sedative and hypnotic properties and its central nervous system effects were different from those of caffeine and theobromine.

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