Alkaloids are organic compounds extracted from plants, which are usually composed of oxygen, hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen. Some alkaloids are toxic, but others have certain medical uses. We often encounter alkaloids in our daily life, such as coffee, aspirin and quinine.
Alkaloids in plants are relatively rare, and their chemical structures usually contain a nitrogen molecule. In addition, it may contain oxygen, carbon and hydrogen molecules. Although there are different effects from toxicity to drugs, all alkaloids can have physiological effects on human body. Ergot alkaloids and other types are not only toxic, but even fatal. For example, cocaine and caffeine are two plant-based alkaloids that are considered to have certain toxicity.
Scopolane alkaloids have been used as poisons since ancient times. Atropine belongs to this type and is extracted from Belladonna. In addition, many alkaloids are often used for medical purposes. For example, atropine has been used as a poison in the past, but now it is often used to stimulate the central nervous system and dilate pupils. On the other hand, scopolamine is an alkaloid often used to treat motion sickness, while quinine has antimalarial properties.
Morphine has anesthetic effect. These alkaloids are usually extracted from poppy. Morphine is also one of the oldest drugs in the world. According to historical records, Sumeria began to use it as early as 3500 BC. Although addictive, morphine has been often used to induce sleep since the 1930s, and many modern pharmaceutical ingredients such as painkillers also contain morphine.
Vincristine, an alkaloid isolated from Catharanthus roseus in 1950s, is often used to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and leukemia. Vinblastine is also isolated from the same plant and has a good therapeutic effect on Hodgkin's disease.
What are the effects and functions of alkaloids?
There are many kinds of alkaloids. At present, the common alkaloids are colchicine, anisodamine and aconitine. The efficacy and function of each alkaloid are different and need to be analyzed in detail.
1. Analgesia and cough relieving: alkaloids such as papaverine and morphine can relieve pain and cough to a certain extent.
2, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory: berberine, aureomycin, etc., such alkaloids can be used to treat infectious diseases.
3, regulating immune function: alkaloids such as astragaloside and monifloxacin can enhance the immune function of the body.
4. Some alkaloids have anti-allergic, hemostatic and antipyretic effects.
In addition, taxol and other alkaloids can be used to treat a variety of malignant tumors; Alkaloids such as digitalis can be used to treat cardiovascular diseases; Alkaloids such as arecoline can be used to treat glaucoma.
It is suggested that patients should follow the doctor's advice when using drugs and control the dosage of drugs within a safe range to avoid accidents.
The information in this article comes from the Internet and is not used as treatment advice or investment advice. If this article has an impact on your rights and interests or is interested in this product, please contact us in time so that we can provide you with more help