Alkaloid
by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Information on Vinca alkaloid, Ergot alkaloid,
Ephedra alkaloid
An alkaloid is any of a class of organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and usually oxygen that are often derived from plants. Although the name means alkali like, some alkaloids do not exhibit alkaline properties.
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Benefit of Alkaloids
Many alkaloids, though poisons, have physiological effects that
make them useful as medicines. For example, curarine, found in the deadly
extract curare , is a powerful muscle relaxant; atropine is used to dilate
the pupils of the eyes; and physostigmine is a specific for certain
muscular diseases. Narcotic alkaloids used in medicine include morphine
and codeine for the relief of pain and cocaine as a local anesthetic.
Other common alkaloids include quinine,
caffeine, nicotine, strychnine,
serotonin, and LSD.
Betel nut (areca catechu) is a psychoactive drug of the Asian
continent, popular in the South Pacific islands, Southeast Asia, Pakistan, and
Bangladesh. Betel is chewed in New Zealand and Australia by
immigrants from India now dwelling in these countries. Betel nut has been
used extensively since antiquity. People chew it for stress reduction, feelings
of well-being, and heightened awareness. It contains three major alkaloids: arecoline, pilocarpine, and muscarine.
Alkaloid Research Update
Belladonna alkaloid
Belladonna alkaloids and barbiturates are combination medicines
taken to relieve cramping and spasms of the stomach and intestines.
Atropine, Hyoscyamine, and Scopolamine are belladonna alkaloids.
Vinca alkaloid
Vinca alkaloids are a class of anticancer drugs that inhibit cancer
cell growth by stopping cell division. The vinca alkaloids are also called
antimitotic or antimicrotubule agents, or mitotic inhibitors. Vinca
alkaloids were originally derived from the common periwinkle plant. Now,
many vinca alkaloids have been synthesized. They include vinblastine,
vincristine, vindesine and vinorelbine.
Ergot alkaloid information - Plant alkaloid
Ergot alkaloids are various organic compounds usually containing at least
one nitrogen atom in a heterocyclic ring, occurring chiefly in many
vascular plants and some fungi. Many alkaloids, such as nicotine, quinine,
cocaine, and morphine, are known for their poisonous or medicinal
attributes. Some ergot alkaloids are toxins found in fungi that interact
with several monoamine receptors, potentially harmful to the
cardiovascular, nervous, reproductive, and immune systems. Aspergillus
fumigatus, a common airborne fungus and opportunistic human pathogen, can
produce ergot alkaloids in broth culture.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloid
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids can cause toxic reactions in humans, primarily
liver disease, when ingested with foods or herbal medicines. Comfrey, a
well-known medicinal herb contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are
capable of causing liver damage.
Ephedra alkaloid - Ephedrine alkaloid
Dietary supplements that contain
ephedra have been
banned in the United States since 2004. Ephedra, also called Ma huang, is
a plant or herb that contains the ephedrine alkaloid. Ephedra alkaloid has generally been marketed as an ingredient in dietary supplements. FDA
has long regarded ephedra alkaloids as potential health hazards. High
doses of ephedra alkaloids can lead to heart palpitations, tremors and
insomnia.
Additional Alkaloids
Aconitine is the alkaloid of
aconite. Cinchonine and quinine are derived from cinchona, coniine is
found in poison hemlock , and reserpine is an extract of rauwolfia roots.
Emetine is an alkaloid of ipecac.
Alkaloid questions
Q. Is rutacarpine and alkaloid?
A. Yes,
rutaecarpine is an alkaloid found in certain herbs including Evodia
rutaecarpa, a well-known Chinese herb called Wu-Chu-Yu.