2. INTRODUCTION
• Alkaloid are naturally occurring organic
compounds containing nitrogen moiety, and are
usually heterocyclic in nature. They are nitrogen
based organic compounds, with nitrogen
enclosed in an heterocyclic ring. They are
generally poisonous to humans and many of
them exert pharmacological effects on animals
when administered in controlled dosages.
3. CHARACTERISTICS OF ALKALOIDS
• Basic in nature due to the presence of
nitrogen in their ring.
• They complex structure.
• They have bitter principles .
• They are mostly obtained from plant
materials.
• They have high pharmacological and
physiological activities.
4. Classification
Classifications of alkaloids are based on its chemical structure. Based on
that they are classified into:
Monocyclic Alkaloids: These are heterogenic compounds that contain
only one ring with the exception of nicotine, some of these members are
highly toxic and can be extracted from plant by extraction with organic
solvent. Some of the example of members of alkaloids that belongs to
this group are coniine, nicotine etc. .
Coniine: whose structure is base on piperidine, is highly toxic. It may be
extracted from hemlock and it was used by the ancient Greeks for state
executions, socrates being the most famous victim.
Nicotine: The main alkaloid constituent of tobacco is based on the five
membered pyrrolidine and six memebered pyridine structure. It is
without doubt the most well known alkaloid, and its calming effect
together with its addictiveness has probably caused the death of more
people in the world than any other compound.
5. Quinine •Quinine it is isolated from the back
of cinchona tree. It is anti malarial
drug and also use as skeletal muscle
relaxant.
Cocaine •Cocaine which comes from the coca
plants. It is use as anaesthetic but is
rarely use medically now a days due
to its toxic and addictive effect.
Caffeine Caffeine it is obtained from the coffe
tea .it is also a stimulants which can
increase alertness there by causing
insomnia when the body gets
addicted.
7. Applications
Alkaloid
Codeine is a cough medicine
Cocaine is anaesthetic
Morphine is an analgesic
Caffeine is a stimulants
Quinine is an antimalarial
8. CONCLUSION
Alkaloids are basic and form water soluble salts. They
are mostly found in the back of certain trees and
various roots and leaves. They are generally
poisonous to humans and many of them exert
pharmacological effects on animals when
administered in controlled dosages.
