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Tropane Alkaloids: Old Drugs Used in Modern Medicine

2000; Elsevier BV; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s1572-5995(00)80038-1

2542-6621

Philippe Christen,

Plant-based Medicinal Research

A precise chemical definition of the term alkaloid is somewhat difficult because the word defines structurally the most diverse group of secondary metabolites of plant, microbial or animal origin. Typically, alkaloids contain one or more nitrogen atoms, usually in a heterocyclic ring, have a more or less pronounced basic reaction and generally possess strong and various pharmacological effects when administered to animals and humans. Today, there are over 12, 000 known alkaloids and a growing number of new compounds are recorded every year. Flowering plants, namely the angiosperms are the major source of alkaloids. However, there are increasingly numerous examples of the occurrence of alkaloids in animals, insects and marine organisms, microorganisms and lower plants. For example, to date nearly 300 alkaloids are known to be found in the skin of amphibians. For centuries, plants have been a unique source of therapeutically significant alkaloids and they continue to be excellent sources of drugs. Furthermore, alkaloids of natural origin serve as a model for the semisynthesis or the synthesis of derivatives which have improved pharmacokinetic properties, a higher efficacy and/or less toxicity.