About alkaloids

Alkaloids have been known since ancient time and used by Chinese as sedatives . They have a complicate structure and the research of them is more complicated . The notion of alkaloid is limited to complex structures that contain nitrogen. Alkaloids are produced by plants. Many current alkaloids are known as very powerful poisons.

Plants synthesize their alkaloids from amino acids or other nitrogen-containing nitrogensubstances. substances. Alkaloids are found in all plants ; they are plants formed in plant tissues and then located in roots roots, fruits or stems of the plants . The alkaloids are crystalline substances, insoluble in water and with acids they form soluble salts.

Coniin is an alkaloid which is found in Conium maculatum. Coniin is a colorless liquid which produces toxicity at the level of motor nerves and muscles.

Nicotine is found in the leaves and roots of Nicotiana rustica and Nicotiana tabacum. tabacum. Nicotine acts at the level of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.

Atropine is found in species of Atropa belladonna, belladonna, Datura stramonium. stramonium. In small amounts, causes eye pupil enlargement. Is extremely toxic in high doses.

Datura stramonium

Atropa belladonna

Cocaine is found in Erythroxylon coca. In coca. small amounts it is a stimulant, but the body quickly gets used to it, so cocaine becomes a drug. Cocaine is also used as a local anesthetic and is similar to lidocaine and benzocaine.

Caffeine is an alkaloid wich is found in Coffea arabica. Alkaloid which is extract from coffee beans is called as we all know, coffee.

Important alkaloids are found in green tea. The bitter taste of black tea is given by many substances which look like alkaloid ones , but consumed for a long period of time, green tea and black tea are very healthy, according to a research done by Institute of Lipton tea.

Quinine is found in cinchona tree bark , has a bitter taste and is soluble in ethanol. The most important property of quinine is represented by its action against malaria.

Papaverine is extracted from opium. Opium is extracted from Papaver somniferum. somniferum. Papaverine is similar to morphine and has a good antispasmodic effect. Morphine and codeine have many applications in medicine.

Strychinine is an alkaloid with a very heavy structure, made of seven cycles of carbon atoms. Strychnine is extracted from leaves of Strychnos nux vomica. This is an extremely powerful poison and acts on the central nervous system. system

Ergotamine comes from fungus called Claviceps purpurea ; this species of fungus parasitize different grains, especially rye rye.

All these alkaloids, used in correct doses, can contribute to human health but a outrunning over therapeutic dose can cause death by poisoning . Medium and longlong-term consumption of alkaloids may eventually led to psychical dependence.

The end
TOMA Vlad Biochemistry/1 st group