Alkaloids
.Alkaloids are substances produced by plants and are complex nitrogen-containing compounds of basic character. Their chemical structure is quite diverse.
The pure alkaloid morphine (from the word Morpheus - the god of sleep in Greek mythology) was first isolated from the opium poppy in 1806. Opium has long been used in Chinese folk medicine as a sleeping aid.
Alkaloids accumulate unevenly in different plant species, and in conifers they are almost non-existent. Especially rich in alkaloids are plants of the nightshade and poppy families.
Alkaloids in the same plants can fluctuate in the amount of their content depending on the time of year and where they grow.
Alkaloids in plants are usually not contained in pure form, but in the form of salts of various organic acids (malic, oxalic, citric, etc.).).
The amount of alkaloids in plants is usually small: from traces to 2-3% per dry weight of the plant (in cinchona bark they can be up to 16%). Most of the time the plant contains several different alkaloids; in opium, for example, 26 different alkaloids are found.
Alkaloids are practically insoluble in water, but easily form salts with various acids that are well soluble in water. They taste bitter and are mostly poisonous, but in small doses they have valuable medicinal properties. Their medicinal uses are very varied, a brief description of some of them is given below.
Morphine is the main alkoloid of opium, a strong analgesic.Decreased pain sensitivity during morphine administration is not accompanied by unconsciousness.
Atropine is found in plants of the nightshade family. Atropine(nettleweed, bilberry, scopolia, dope, etc.).), has a strong and diverse effect on the body, excites the central nervous system, has a central cholinolytic action.
Quinine is found in the bark of the cinchona tree, was obtained in Quinine in the last century. The first Europeans to arrive in tropical countries were cured of malaria by the bark of the hinnow tree, which was used for the disease by the locals. Quinine is antimalarial; however, it is used for palpitations as a heart-lowering agent.
Strychnine, a powerful poison, is found in chilibu seeds. Strychnine in small doses is used as a tonic and excitant of the central nervous system.
Cocaine is derived from the leaves of the coca plant. South American Indians noticed long ago that chewing coca leaves numbs the tongue. When injected subcutaneously, cocaine acts on nerve endings and nerve trunks, causing local anesthesia.
Salsolin - its substances are isolated from the Richter's saltbush plant. Salsolin help lower blood pressure and have a general calming effect on the central nervous system. Salsolin is also used in the treatment of hypertension, headache due to spasm of cerebral vessels.
Reserpine is isolated from the Indian plant Rauwolfia serpens. Reserpine has a hypotensive effect, normalizes the content of sercin in the central nervous system. Reserpine is needed for normal brain function. Disruption of its metabolism in the brain leads to severe mental effects. Reserpine is used in the treatment of hypertension and schizophrenia. Rauwolfia serpentina, as containing reserpine, has long been used in Indian folk medicine for the treatment of mental diseases, snake bite, etc.
Securinin is isolated from Securinega vetiverveta. Securinine has a tonic effect on the central nervous system, similar to strychnine.
Echinopsin is isolated from common mordovnik, has a clear tonic effect on patients with hypotonic state and is an effective therapeutic agent for a number of diseases of the nervous system.
Berberine, the most common alkaloid, is found in plants belonging to five different families: macroflower, buttercup, barberry, moonseed and ruta. Berberine has a calming and styptic effect, is indicated in cholecystitis with biliary dyskinesia, with calculous cholecystitis in the cold period. Alkaloid plants are used in the form of aqueous infusions, better on acidified water, in the form of powders from dried plants and in the form of galenic preparations (tinctures and extracts), which contain the right amount of berberine.
Of the plants widely used for treatment, it is necessary to point out the following plants, which have alkaloids in their composition: celandine, barberry, muzzlewort, ergot, tea leaves, root of Rauwolfia serpentina, seeds of chilibucha, etc..
