See also; alkaloid drugs
Alkaloids are a group of highly variable compounds, they do not have a molecular structure of reference, they derive from amino acids or from mevalonic acid through different biosynthetic pathways. They are widespread in plants and their biological significance is unclear, even if the fact that are physiologically active on animals, even at very low concentrations, it can be explained as a mechanism of defense against herbivores for which secondary metabolites are used.
Currently the number of known alkaloids is about 100,000 mainly derived from Angiosperms, fungi and animals.
In the vegetable kingdom their distribution is rather wide in fact in 34 orders out of 60 (about 40% of families and 9% of genera) species producing alkaloids have been found.
The most important families are:
Amarillidaceae, Compositae, Lauraceae, Leguminosae, Liliaceae, Papaveraceae, Rutaceae and Solanaceae.
Alkaloids are generally insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, ether or other organic solvents; at room temperature they are colorless solids, with few exceptions, and the taste is strongly bitter. The distribution in the tissues is heterogeneous, but increases with the "age and size of the plant, and as it is logical" it is concentrated in the superficial parts, epidermis, cortex, and scar tissues, which are more exposed to herbivore attacks.
Despite the heterogeneity of the compositions and metabolic pathways of formation, it is possible to attempt a classification of the alkaloids, also because some are significant to validate the affinity within systematic groups. Eg. the indole alkaloids of the secologanine type are exclusive to families such as the Rubiaceae and the Apocynaceae belonging to an order, the Gentianales, within the clado Euasteridae THE.
Protoalkaloids. With a simple structure, they do not contain nitrogen in a heterocyclic ring: mescaline (hallucinogen contained in several Cactaceae mexican, called peyotl), ephedrine (in gymnosperms of the genus Ephedra), colchicine (In the Colchicum).
Isoquinolic alkaloids. They contain isoquinoline: papaverine (from Papaver somniferum), hydrastine (from Hydrastis canadensis) etc.
Benzoquinolic alkaloids. They contain benzoquinoline; many are extracted from the Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy: morphine, codeine etc.
Indole alkaloids. They contain the indole group and include some toxicants known as strychnine (from Strychnos, Loganiaceae), a precursor of South American curare, and medicines such as reserpine (from Rauwolfia, Apocynaceae). I am also from this group ergotine and ergotamine of the ascomycete fungus Claviceps purpurea, which parasitizes rye and other grasses.
Tropane alkaloids. They contain piperidine and pyrrolidine groups and are present in many families such as Solanaceae, Convolvulaceae and similar: atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine. Also in this group are the alkaloids of the genus Erythroxylon, of which the best known is the cocaine .
piperidine alkaloids. They contain the piperidine ring: contiina (from the major hemlock, Conium maculatum, Apiaceae).
Pyridine alkaloids. They contain the pyridine ring: ricinin (from the castor, Ricinus, Euphorbiaceae) And trigonellina (from Trigonella, Fabaceae).
Polycyclic alkaloids with pyridine, piperidine and pyrrolidine: nicotine (from tobacco, Nicotiana, Solanaceae).
Purine alkaloids. They contain purine derivatives: caffeine (from coffee, Coffea arabica, Rubiaceae), theophylline (from tea, Camellia sinensis, Theaceae), theobromine (from cocoa, Theobroma, Sterculiaceae).
Select plant Fir Acacia Acerola Sorrel Yarrow Yarrow Yarrow Aconito Adatoda Garlic Agnocasto Agrimonia Alchemilla Alkekengi Aloe Altea Witch Hazel Ammi or Visnaga Pineapple Andrographis Anemone Pulsatilla Angelica Anise Star Anise Japanese Star Anise Bitter Orange Bitter Areca Arnica Harpagophytum Arpagophyte Artemisia Asteragus Basil Asparagus Asparagus Peruvian Asparagus Asparagus Asparagus Hawthorn Boldo Borage Shepherd's Purse Boswellia Bucco Butea superba Cocoa Coffee Cajeput Calamus Calamus Marigold Camedrio Chamomile Roman Chamomile Camphor Cinnamon Ceylon Maidenhair Capuchin Artichoke Cardamom Cardiac Thistle Asian Thistle Carvi Cascara Cassia Catecu Catha Cabbage Celandine Chicory Centaurea Cinnamon Cypress Celandine Chives Cypress Coca Cola Colchico Combreto Condurango Comfrey Coriander Cranberry Barberry American Chrysanthemum Cumin Turmeric Damiana Digital Dioscorea Drosera Dulcamara Dunalilella Echinacea Eder a Ephedra Elenio Eleutherococcus Helichrysum Evening primrose Horsetail Alfalfa Erica Euphrasia Erisimo Escolzia Eucalyptus Farfara Farfaraccio Calabar bean Fenugreek Fennel Phytolacca Frangola Ash Fumaria Japanese Mushrooms Galega Ganoderma lucidum Garcinia Cambogia Mulberry Gentian Broom Ginkgo Ginkgo Guipana Guipana Gynestra Ginkgo Hibelia Gymnasium Hibiscus Guarulp St. John's Wort Horse Chestnut Ispaghul Hyssop Jaborandi Kava kava Konjac Laminaria Cherry Laurel Lavender Lemongrass Lespedeza Lovage Icelandic Lichen Lemon Flax Lippia Licorice Lobelia Hops Maca Marjoram Maize Mallow Manna Marrubio Marrubio d "water Matè Melaleuca Meliloto American Lemon balm Myrtle Myrama Walnut Nutmeg Walnut vomica Olive tree Meadowsweet Ononide Opuntia Oregano Orthosiphon Nettle Poppy Papaya Parietaria Feverfew Passiflora Chilli Perilla Periwinkle Phyllanthus Plantain Picrorhiza Pilosella Pino Pisci dia Podofillo Polygala Grapefruit Parsley Psyllium Pueraria mirifica Butcher's broom Pygeum Quassia Oak Rhubarb Ratania Rauwolfia currant Castor bean Rhodiola Rosehip Rosemary Rue Willow Sarsaparilla Sage Elderberry Sassafras Sedum Ergot Senna Serenoa Repens Soybean Solidago Tansy Taraxus Tamarind Tamarind Tamarind Tamarind Tamarindo Ursina Valerian Vanilla Mullein Verbena Veronica Viburnum Vinca Pansy Mistletoe Vine Withania Yohimbe Saffron Ginger Pumpkin Select disease Juvenile Acne Rosacea Tinnitus Tinnitus Aerophagia Tendon Affections Afonia Aphthae Algias Functional Halitosis Breastfeeding Allergy Anemia Anguish Anxiety Arteriosclerosis Asthrosis Asthrosis Arthritis Arthritis Men Sex Woman Blepharitis and Conjunctivitis Eye bags Bronchitis Gallstones Kidney stones Salivary stones Baldness Androgenetic Candida Fragile hair Caries Headache Cellulitis Motion sickness Cystitis C limaterio Cholecystopathy High cholesterol Ulcerative colitis Colonoscopy Contusions Hematoma Convalescence Couperose Depression Dermatitis Diaper dermatitis Diabetes Diarrhea Erectile dysfunction Dyslipidemia Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Disturbances of vision Hemorrhoids Epistaxis Herethism Heart disease Fever Fibromyalgia Gastro-intestinal disease Flatulence Hypertension Fibromyalgia Gastrointomnia Jaundice Laryngitis Renal lithiasis Toothache Sore throat Thinness Menopause Meteorism Mononucleosis Alzheimer's disease Crohn's disease Nausea Vomiting Obesity Dark circles Onychomycosis Osteoporosis Dry skin Periarthritis Piorea Low pressure Prostatitis Psoriasis Colds Breast fissures Anal fissures Gastro-nasal rhinitis Senescence Premenstrual Syndrome Sinusitis Quit smoking Overweight Fatty liver Constipation Stomatitis Stress Cough Triglycerides high Ulcer Burns Nails Brittle flashes Heat Warts Dizziness Properties herbal Tanning Abortive adaptogenic Aphrodisiac bittering analgesic anesthetic anorectics analgesic antacid anti-allergic anti-asthmatic Antibiotic catarrh Anticellulitiche anticonvulsant Antidiaforetiche antidiarrheal edematous anthelmintic antiemetic Antiemorroidarie antiphlogistic Antiidrotiche Antinevrotiche Antioxidants antipyretic antirheumatic antiscorbutic Antiseptic antispasmodic anti-uric Aperitive Flavoring Astringent Balsamic Bechiche Capillarotrope Cardiotonic Carminative Cathartic Caustics Healing Cholagogues Choleretic Dyes Decongestants Deodorants Purifying Diaphoretic Cleansers Disinfectants Detoxifiers Thirst quenching Diuretics Exciting Emetics Emmenagogues Emollients Hemostatic Energies Hepatoprotectors Expectorants Eupepticus Moisturisers Galactosensitizers lanti Hypertensive Hypnotic Hypoglycemic Hypotensive Irritants Laxatives Soothing Narcotic Nerves Nutrients Odontalgic Pectoral Purgative Revulsive Remineralizing Refreshing Rubefacient Scialagoghe Sedative Soporifugas Sneezing Stomachic Stomatics Narcotic Vascular Tightenitis
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