Reserpine (Serpalan) is an alkaloid isolated from the root of Rauwolfia serpentina. As an inhibitor of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), it suppresses the uptake of norepinephrine into storage vesicles, leading to depletion of catecholamines and serotonin in central and peripheral nerve terminals. It has antihypertensive and antipsychotic effects and can be used to induce gastric ulcer and depression models.
