Alkaloids Lecture Notes Flashcards

These flashcards focus on the key concepts, definitions, and details related to alkaloids, as covered in the lecture notes.

What are alkaloids?

Basic organic heterocycles containing nitrogen.

What characterizes heterocycles?

They contain elements other than carbon, including nitrogen.

Why is nitrogen significant in alkaloids?

It is responsible for their pharmacological activity.

How easy is it to characterize alkaloids?

They are hard to characterize and do not form a homogeneous group.

What types of alkaloids exist based on structure?

Primary, secondary, tertiary, or quaternary alkaloids.

Which solvents are alkaloids soluble in?

They are soluble in ether and chloroform.

What is a deviation from the definition of basicity concerning alkaloids?

Not all alkaloids are basic in nature.

Give examples of non-basic alkaloids.

Morphine, piperine, and quaternary alkaloids.

What does it mean if an alkaloid contains nitrogen outside the ring structure?

Examples include ketamine, cocaine, and methylene.

Where can alkaloids be derived from?

From plants, bacteria, fungi, insects, frogs, and animals.

What is a key takeaway about alkaloids?

Cyclic organic compounds containing nitrogen with limited distribution among living organisms.

What is a common taste characteristic of alkaloids?

They possess a bitter taste.

What are the extraction methods for alkaloids?

Include ether and chloroform extraction followed by liberation with alkali.

What type of physical state do most alkaloids exist in?

They are mostly crystalline solids, some may be amorphous or liquid.

How do alkaloids interact with heavy metals?

They form compounds that can be used in identification tests.

What color do alkaloid precipitates typically appear?

Most are white but some can be colored (orange, brownish).

What unique characteristic does caffeine have compared to other alkaloids?

Caffeine is a pseudoalkaloid and can sublime.

What role do alkaloids play in plants?

They can act as natural fertilizers, growth regulators, and energy sources.

How do alkaloids affect human physiology?

They can produce psychological and physiological responses.

What is the classification of alkaloids based on amino acid precursors?

True alkaloids, protoalkaloids, pseudoalkaloids, and false alkaloids.

What are true alkaloids derived from?

Amino acids containing nitrogen in their heterocyclic structure.

What are protoalkaloids?

Derived from amino acids but do not have nitrogen in their heterocyclic rings.

What are pseudoalkaloids?

Not derived from amino acids but they contain nitrogen.

What are false alkaloids?

Non-alkaloids that give a false positive reaction with alkaloidal precipitating reagents.

Where are alkaloids commonly found in plants?

They are frequently found in dicotyledonous plants.

Which families of plants are rich in alkaloids?

Apocynaceae, Rubiaceae, and Papaveraceae (opium family).

Which plant families are free from alkaloids?

Rosaceae and Labiate.

What physiological activity do alkaloids have?

They are usually physiologically active and some are toxic.

How do alkaloids affect neurotransmitters?

They can interfere with dopamine, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters.

What is the primary precursor for many alkaloids?

Amino acids, particularly aromatic ones.

What essential amino acids are involved in alkaloid synthesis?

Tyrosine, phenylalanine, ornithine, arginine, aspartic acid, and lysine.

What kind of extraction method is best for volatile alkaloids?

Steam distillation.

How are alkaloids classified based on their nitrogen basicity?

Weak bases, strong bases, or neutral.

Which alkaloids are considered weak bases?

Caffeine.

What alkaloids are stronger bases?

Atropine.

What are some examples of psychoactive alkaloids?

Stimulants, hallucinogens, and CNS depressants.

What are the characteristics of psychoactive alkaloids?

Some are habit-forming and can affect the central nervous system.

How are alkaloids named scientifically?

Based on the genus or species from which they derive.

What suffix is commonly used in naming alkaloids?

-ine.

What does Roger's reagent contain?

Cadmium.

What is the significance of Hagers reagent?

It is used to detect alkaloids.

What is the effect of alkaloids at high doses?

They can become toxic or poisonous.

What is the educational focus for students studying alkaloids?

Gain familiarity with the structures and classifications.

What role does shikimic acid cycle play in alkaloid biosynthesis?

It leads to the production of aromatic amino acids.

What alkaloid can be derived from the opium poppy?

Morphine.

What are the major classifications of alkaloids based on carbon side chains?

Proline derivatives and pyrrolidine derivatives.

What affects on the brain do alkaloids exert?

They can alter mood, perception, and behavior.

What alkaloid is commonly used as an antidote?

Atropine.

In which parts of the plants are alkaloids primarily found?

Roots, leaves, seeds, and fruits.

How does caffeine affect human systems at lower doses?

It can act as a mild stimulant.

Why is the temperature significant in the purification of alkaloids?

Higher temperatures affect the stability of different alkaloids.

What can affect the solubility of alkaloids?

The pH of the solution.

What does the term 'amphoteric' mean in relation to alkaloids?

It can act as either an acid or a base.

Examples of alkaloids and their plant origin include?

Nicotine from tobacco and caffeine from coffee beans.

What are some therapeutic uses of alkaloids?

Antidotes, analgesics, and antipsychotics.

Name two examples of hallucinogenic alkaloids.

Psilocybin and mescaline.

What can alkaloids be used in, regarding agricultural applications?

Natural insecticides or herbicides.

What is an important aspect of alkaloid testing in labs?

To identify the presence and concentration of alkaloids.

What is the basic structure of alkaloids?

Cyclic compounds containing nitrogen.

What is an interaction effect of alkaloids in medications?

They often enhance or inhibit the effects of other drugs.

What alkaloid is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction?

Periwinkle-derived alkaloids.

What is the physiological action of emetine?

It induces vomiting.

Why are alkaloids considered to have limited distribution?

They are found in specific living organisms and environments.

What is a challenge in the study of alkaloids?

Their diverse structures and classification make them complex to study.

What type of regulators are alkaloids considered in their ecological context?

Natural growth regulators.

What is the overall focus of the study of alkaloids in pharmacology?

Understanding their therapeutic potentials and mechanisms of action.

Can alkaloids be both therapeutic and toxic?

Yes, they can be beneficial at low doses and toxic at high doses.

What sensory characteristic do most alkaloids exhibit?

They have a bitter taste.

What is the significance of ring structure in alkaloids?

It affects their chemical properties and biological activities.

What role does alkaloid classification play in pharmacotherapy?

It helps in determining their applications and potential side effects.

What impacts the taste of alkaloids in applications?

Their bitterness is used as an index for flavor in medicine.

In what form do alkaloids primarily exist?

As salts when they react with acids.

How can alkaloids be utilized in identifying specific plants?

They reflect the therapeutic properties of their respective species.

What method is used for the isolation of alkaloids from plant materials?

Maceration followed by solvent extraction.

What physical properties help in distinguishing alkaloids?

Color, solubility, and crystallinity.

What is the source of atropine and hyoscyamine used as a spasmolytic and mydriatic?

Belladonna (Atropa belladonna, Solanaceae)

Which plant provides hyoscyamine and scopolamine for anticholinergic uses?

Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger, Solanaceae)

Which Solanaceae plant is used as an anticholinergic and known as Jimsonweed?

Stramonium (Datura stramonium)

What plant provides hyoscine used for motion sickness and cancer therapy side effects?

Duboisia (Duboisia myoporoides, Solanaceae)

What is the historical anesthetic source from the Solanaceae family?

Mandragora (Mandragora officinarum)

Which Erythroxylaceae plant contains cocaine, a CNS stimulant and local anesthetic?

Coca (Erythroxylon coca)

What plant, also known as Indian Ginseng, contains tropine used as a sedative?

Withania (Withania somnifera, Solanaceae)

What is the source of quinine used as an antiarrhythmic and antimalarial?

Cinchona (Cinchona succirubra, Rubiaceae)

Which plant is used as an emetic and antiprotozoal and contains cephaline and psychotrine?

Ipecac (Cephalis ipecacuanha, Rubiaceae)

Which Ranunculaceae plant provides hydrastine and berberine and is used as an astringent?

Hydrastis (Hydrastis canadensis)

What Papaveraceae plant yields sanguinarine and is used as a stimulant expectorant?

Sanguinaria (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Which Loganiaceae plant yields tubocurarine used as a skeletal muscle relaxant?

Curare (Styrychnos castelnaei)

What plant yields morphine, codeine, and papaverine and is referred to as the 'Stone of Immortality'?

Opium (Papaver somniferum, Papaveraceae)

What Apocynaceae plant contains reserpine and is used for hypertension and as an antipsychotic?

Rauwolfia (Rauwolfia serpentina)

Which Rubiaceae plant contains yohimbine used for erectile dysfunction?

Yohimbine (Pausinystalia yohimbe)

What periwinkle plant yields vinblastine for treating leukemia and other cancers?

Catharanthus (Catharanthus roseus, Apocynaceae)

Which Loganiaceae plant provides strychnine and brucine, used as a CNS stimulant and alcohol denaturant?

Nux Vomica (Strychnos nux-vomica)

What Fabaceae plant contains physostigmine used for glaucoma?

Physostigma (Physostigma venenosum)

What fungus yields ergotamine, ergonovine, and lysergic acid, used for migraines and as oxytocics?

Ergot (Claviceps purpurea, Clavicipitaceae)

What Rutaceae plant provides pilocarpine used for glaucoma and as a miotic?

Pilocarpus (Pilocarpus jaborandi)

What Liliaceae plant contains cevadine and is used to treat hypertension?

Green Hellebore (Veratrum viride)

What plant from the Gnetaceae family contains ephedrine used for asthma and nasal congestion?

Ephedra (Ephedra sinica)

What Liliaceae plant contains colchicine and is used for treating gout?

Colchicum (Colchicum autumnale)

What plant, also called Monkshood, contains aconitine used as a local analgesic?

Aconite (Aconitum napellus, Ranunculaceae)

What Fabaceae plant contains sparteine and is used as an oxytocic agent?

Broom (Cytisus scoparius)