Ergot
alkaloids are derived from a common fungus ( Claciceps purpea) the alkaloids
make up three groups ergotamine, dihydrogenated,(Amino) dihydroegotamine
(amino) ,ergonovine(amine) There is only one ergot alkaloid approved to treat
type 2 diabetes called bromocriptine(Cycloset) . Bromocriptine is an older drug
which has been used to treat other conditions, but has only just been used in
diabetes patients where it works as a dopamine agonist by binding to and
motivating receptors in the brain at specific times of the day to improve a person’s
metabolism.