The plant has anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects. In previous study the extract was found to be a strong blocker in 5-HT transporter binding assays (IC50 4.3 μg/ml). It has also and had potent inhibitory effects on phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) (IC50 8.5 μg/ml). Mesembrine has potent activity against the 5-HT transporter (Ki 1.4 nM), while mesembrenone possessed activity against the 5-HT transporter and PDE4 (IC50's < 1 μM). (Harvey et al., 2011). This evidence concerns the gene SLC6A4 and Anxiety.