Alkaloids Overview

Alkaloids

• Alkaloidal bases are soluble in non-polar solvents
• Alkaloidal salts are soluble in aqueous solvents (water)
• Generally solid, except for coniine, nicotine, and sparteine
• Pyridine-piperidine alkaloids

Betel Nut/Nga-nga

• Obtained from Areca catechu
• Rich in tannins (increased risk of esophageal cancer)
• Contains arecoline (CNS stimulant)

Tobacco

• Obtained from Nicotiana tabacum
• Contains nicotine (CNS stimulant; smoking deterrent)

Indian Tobacco

• Obtained from Lobelia inflata
• Contains lobeline (smoking deterrent)

Tropane Alkaloids (Hyoscyamine, Hyoscine, Cocaine)

• Contain a tropane ring (bicyclic structure)
• Tertiary amines are highly lipophilic (tendency to enter the blood-brain barrier)
• Groups:
  • Hyoscyamine (Atropine = (±) = Racemate) and Hyoscine (Scopolamine)
  • Cocaine
  • Callistegine A3 (no pharmacologic application)

Atropine

• Anticholinergic
• Effects: reverse of DUMBELS (Constipation, Urinary retention, Mydriasis, Tachycardia, Bronchodilation, decrease in secretion)
• Used to treat physostigmine toxicity and organophosphate poisoning (blocks AChE, leading to DUMBELS; Pralidoxime regenerates AChE)

Scopolamine

• Anticholinergic
• Anti-motion sickness; management of emesis

Cocaine

• Drug of abuse
• Blocks NE reuptake, increasing NE in the synapse (beneficial for depression)

Examples of Plants Containing Tropane Alkaloids

• Atropa belladonna (Belladonna, Deadly nightshade)
• Withania somnifera (Withania)
• Duboisia myopoproides, Duboisia hopwoodii (Duboisia)
• Pituri (Australian tobacco)
• Mandragora officinarum (Mandragora, European mandrake)
• Erythroxylum coca (Coca, Cocaine)
• Datura stramonium (Talumpunay = D. metel (management of asthma))
• Hyoscyamus niger (Henbane, Hyoscyamus)

Quinoline Alkaloids

• Also known as methylxanthines
• 9-membered ring
  • 1,3-dimethylxanthine (Caffeine): Diuretic, CNS Stimulant, Narrow therapeutic index
  • 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine (Theophylline): Diuretic, CNS Stimulant, Narrow therapeutic index
  • 1,7-dimethylxanthine (Paraxanthine)
  • 3,7-dimethylxanthine (Theobromine): Diuretic

Philippine Herbal Medicine Approved by DOH

• Mnemonic: BABY PLAN TS
  • LaSaBay Ampalaya, TUNAY Ba?
    • Lagundi (respiratory ailments)
    • Sambong (diuretic)
    • Ampalaya (anti-diabetes mellitus)
    • Tsaang Gulaman (anti-diarrhea)
    • Ulasiman bato (anti-nephrolithiasis)
    • Niyog-niyogan (anthelminthic)
    • Yerba Buena (analgesic)
    • Bawang (anti-hyperlipidemia)
    • Akapulko (antifungal)

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of alkaloids, including their solubility, sources, and structures. You'll explore various types of alkaloids such as tobacco, betel nut, and tropane alkaloids, along with their pharmacological properties. Test your knowledge about the impact and significance of these compounds.