Dopamine (DA), its derivatives, and dopaminergic drugs are compounds widely used in the management of diseases related to the nervous system. However, DA receptors have been identified in nonneuronal tissues, which has been related to their therapeutic potential in pathologies such as sepsis or septic shock, blood pressure, renal failure, diabetes, and obesity, among others. In addition, DA and dopaminergic drugs have shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in different kinds of cells.
Aim: To compile the mechanism of action of DA and the main dopaminergic drugs and show the findings that support the therapeutic potential of these molecules for the treatment of neurological and non-neurological diseases considering their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.
Method: We performed a review article. An exhaustive search for information was carried out in specialized databases such as PubMed, PubChem, ProQuest, EBSCO, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, Bookshelf, DrugBank, Livertox, and Clinical Trials.
Results: We showed that DA and dopaminergic drugs have emerged for the management of neuronal and nonneuronal diseases with important therapeutic potential as anti-inflammatories and antioxidants.
Conclusions: DA and DA derivatives can be an attractive treatment strategy and a promising approach to slowing the progression of disorders through repositioning.
Keywords: anti-inflammatory; antiangiogenic; antinociceptive; antioxidant; dopamine; nonneurological disease.