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Questions and Answers
What is the primary characteristic of alkaloids that is reflected in their name?
What is the primary characteristic of alkaloids that is reflected in their name?
- They contain a high proportion of carbon.
- They are always found in monocot plants.
- They are acidic in nature.
- They are derived from 'al kaly,' meaning basic or soda. (correct)
Which plant family is NOT known to be rich in alkaloids?
Which plant family is NOT known to be rich in alkaloids?
- Solanaceae
- Labiatae (correct)
- Apocynaceae
- Papaveracea
Which of the following best describes the principal function of alkaloids in plants?
Which of the following best describes the principal function of alkaloids in plants?
- Facilitating water transport throughout the plant.
- Structural component of plant cell walls.
- Defense mechanism against herbivores. (correct)
- Primary energy storage.
Which type of amine is LEAST commonly found within alkaloid structures?
Which type of amine is LEAST commonly found within alkaloid structures?
An alkaloid is classified as having a 'sympathomimetic' effect. What does this imply about its pharmacological activity?
An alkaloid is classified as having a 'sympathomimetic' effect. What does this imply about its pharmacological activity?
Which alkaloid is known for its local anesthetic properties and is sometimes used as a drug of abuse?
Which alkaloid is known for its local anesthetic properties and is sometimes used as a drug of abuse?
What is the primary use of pilocarpine, an imidazole alkaloid?
What is the primary use of pilocarpine, an imidazole alkaloid?
Which class of alkaloids is noted for being potentially toxic to humans?
Which class of alkaloids is noted for being potentially toxic to humans?
Which alkaloid, found in tobacco, is used in nicotine patches to assist in quitting smoking?
Which alkaloid, found in tobacco, is used in nicotine patches to assist in quitting smoking?
Which of the following is a modified benzyltetrahydro-isoquinoline alkaloid known for its powerful analgesic and narcotic effects?
Which of the following is a modified benzyltetrahydro-isoquinoline alkaloid known for its powerful analgesic and narcotic effects?
Which alkaloid is known for its activity against the AIDS virus HIV?
Which alkaloid is known for its activity against the AIDS virus HIV?
What is the primary use of papaverine, a benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid?
What is the primary use of papaverine, a benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid?
Which of the following is a common purine alkaloid known for its smooth muscle relaxant properties?
Which of the following is a common purine alkaloid known for its smooth muscle relaxant properties?
Which alkaloid is associated with inflammatory, rheumatic and gastrointestinal disorders?
Which alkaloid is associated with inflammatory, rheumatic and gastrointestinal disorders?
Which of the following is a basic skeleton for indole alkaloids?
Which of the following is a basic skeleton for indole alkaloids?
Flashcards
Alkaloids
Alkaloids
Natural organic nitrogenous bases primarily found in plants, containing at least one nitrogen atom in a heterocyclic ring, and exhibiting physiological activity.
Alkaloid Classification
Alkaloid Classification
Alkaloids are classified based on their chemical structure, particularly the heterocyclic ring containing nitrogen. Examples include piperidine, quinoline, and indole.
Dicots vs. Monocots
Dicots vs. Monocots
Dicots are more abundant in alkaloids compared to monocots, suggesting a greater role of alkaloids in their biological processes.
Alkaloid Functions in Plants
Alkaloid Functions in Plants
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Pharmacological Actions of Alkaloids
Pharmacological Actions of Alkaloids
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Tropane Alkaloids
Tropane Alkaloids
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Piperidine Alkaloids
Piperidine Alkaloids
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Quinolitzidine Alkaloids
Quinolitzidine Alkaloids
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Indole Alkaloids
Indole Alkaloids
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Tropane Alkaloids: Anticholinergic Activity
Tropane Alkaloids: Anticholinergic Activity
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Pyridine Alkaloids
Pyridine Alkaloids
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Modified Benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloids
Modified Benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloids
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Ergot Alkaloids
Ergot Alkaloids
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Purine Alkaloids
Purine Alkaloids
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Imidazole Alkaloids
Imidazole Alkaloids
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Study Notes
Alkaloids
- Alkaloids are natural organic nitrogenous bases
- Primarily found in plants, but also in microorganisms and animals
- Contain at least one nitrogen atom in a heterocyclic ring
- Physiologically active
- Nitrogen atoms are typically secondary, tertiary, or quaternary amines (rarely primary amines)
- Classified based on the basic nitrogen-containing structures from which they are derived (e.g., piperidine, quinoline, indole)
- Dicots tend to contain more alkaloids than monocots
- Rich alkaloid families include Apocynaceae, Rubiaceae, Solanaceae, and Papaveraceae
- Families lacking alkaloids include Rosaceae and Labiatae
Alkaloid Functions
- Defense mechanisms (nitrogen source or waste)
- Pharmacological activities
- Central Nervous System (CNS) effects: depressants (morphine), stimulants (caffeine)
- Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) effects: sympathomimetic (ephedrine), sympatholytic (yohimbine), parasympathomimetic (pilocarpine), anticholinergic (atropine), ganglioplegic (nicotine)
- Used in:
- Anesthesia (cocaine)
- Treating fibrilation (quinidine)
- Antitumor agents (vinblastine)
- Antimalarial agents (quinine)
- Antibacterial agents (berberine)
- Antiamebic agents (emetine)
- Starting materials for drug synthesis
Alkaloid Classification
- Biogenetic classification is based on the pathways: acetate or shikimate
- Classification by botanical source
- Classification by type of amines (primary, secondary, tertiary)
Basic Alkaloid Skeletons
- Diagrams of various alkaloid skeletons (quinoline, quinazoline, isoquinoline, pyrrolidine, purine, indole, imidazole, indolizidine, pyridine, tropane) are shown
Tropane Alkaloids
- Include compounds like hyoscyamine, scopolamine, and cocaine
- Hyoscyamine and scopolamine have anticholinergic activity and are used for antispasmodic and motion sickness prevention.
- Cocaine is a local anesthetic
- Tropane alkaloids are often derived from the Erythroxylaceae family
- Mostly used as drugs to generate stimulation and euphoria, but can lead to dependence and depression
Piperidine Alkaloids
- Lobeline: Relieves asthma and bronchitis
- Lobelia inflata (Indian tobacco) is a source.
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids can cause inflammatory, rheumatic, and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders
- Examples are present in the slide
Quinoline Alkaloids
- Potentially toxic to humans (e.g., sparteine, cytisine, lupinine)
Indoline Alkaloids
- Active against HIV
Pyridine Alkaloids
- Nicotine is a respiratory stimulant/depressant
- Used in nicotine patches to assist with smoking cessation
- Tobacco is a source
Tetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloids
- Anhalamine, anhalonidine and anhalomine are variations
- Lophocerine is a component.
Benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloids
- Papaverine is used as an expectorant and for impotence
Modified Benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloids
- Morphine, codeine, and thebaine/paramorphine are potent analgesics and narcotics
Indole Alkaloids
- Reserpine, deserpidine, vinblastine and vincristine are examples
- From plants like Vinca minor
Ergot Alkaloids
- Contain compounds like lysergic acid, ergometrine, and ergotamine
Imidazole Alkaloids
- Pilocarpine is used for glaucoma treatment
Purine Alkaloids
- Caffeine is a CNS stimulant and weak diuretic
- Theobromine has diuretic and smooth muscle relaxant properties
- Theophylline is a smooth muscle relaxant and diuretic that provides relief from bronchospasm
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