Definition - Drugs Containing Alkaloids
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An alkaloid is a nitrogenous organic molecule that has a pharmacological effect on humans and animals. They are a class of compounds which typically contain nitrogen and have complex ring structures. They occur naturally in seed bearing plants and are found in berries, bark, fruit, roots and leaves.
Drugs Containing Alkaloids
DEFINITION
An alkaloid is a nitrogenous organic molecule that has a
pharmacological effect on humans and animals. They are a class of compounds
which typically contain nitrogen and have complex ring structures. They occur
naturally in seed bearing plants and are found in berries, bark, fruit, roots
and leaves. Often, they are bases which have some physiological effect. The
name derives from the word alkaline; originally, the term was used to describe
any nitrogen-containing base (an amine in modern terms). Alkaloids are found as
secondary metabolites in plants (e.g. in Vinca and Datura), animals (e.g. in
shellfish) and fungi, and can be extracted from their sources by treatment with
acids (usually hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid, though organic acids, such
as maleic acid and citric acid are sometimes used).
Usually alkaloids are derivatives from amino acids. Even
though many alkaloids are poisonous (e.g. strychnine or coniine), some are
used in medicine as analgesics (pain relievers) or anaesthetics, particularly
morphine and codeine. Most alkaloids have a very bitter taste.
