ABSTRACT
Neurotransmitters acetylcholine, serotonin, histamine, dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid are found not only in animals but also in plants that may be of interest for medicine and pharmacy. Interest in the detection of neurotransmitters in plants was due to the fact that they are contained in significant concentrations in food and medicinal plant raw materials and can be used as natural replacements for synthetic drugs. The compounds occur almost in all organs and parts of plants, but the highest concentrations of these substances are found in generative organs. On the other hand, the toxicity of these substances also needs to be known because the biogenic amines’ effects may be associated with allergic reaction in humans or with the browning reactions in foods, producing heterocyclic amines, genotoxic and carcinogenic agents. The information may attract a wider ring of physicians and pharmacologists.
