Alkaloids

Organic basic nitrogenous compounds with physiological action, found in plants.

Naturally occurring organic bases which have pharmacological actions. Many are found in plant foods, including potatoes and tomatoes (the Solarium alkaloids), or as the products of fungal action (e.g. ergot), although they also occur in animal foods (e.g. tetrodotoxin in puffer fish, tetramine in shellfish).

A vegetable substance with an organic nitrogen base capable of combining with acids to form an easily assimilable crystalline salt. Alkaloids exert a powerful influence over an organism even when ingested in small amounts. Chemical alkaloids all end in-ine (e.g., harmaline, the drug obtained from rue). Those organic chemicals at end in -in, e.g., digitalin (foxglove) have a similar powerful action, but do not react with acids.

One of a varied family of alkaline, nitrogen-containing substances, usually plant-derived, reacting with acids to form salts. Normally intensely bitter, alkaloids form a body of substances widely used in drug and herbal therapy. They are usually biologically active and have a toxic potential. (Examples: caffeine, morphine, berberine). The term is more pharmaceutical and medical than chemical since alkaloids come from a variety of otherwise unrelated organic compounds.

Any of a large, varied group of complex, usually alkaline, nitrogen-containing compounds, including nicotine, cocaine, and caffeine, that react with acids to form soluble salts, many of which have physiological effects on humans.

Constituents in plants that contain a nitrogen atom, for example morphine, quinine, nicotine, and caffeine. There are over 20,000 different structures.

A basic organic nitrogenous compound of plant origin that is pharmacologically active and bitter tasting; certain alkaloids, such quinine, atropine, codeine, and scopolamine, are used in medicine.

A chemical substance containing nitrogen as part of a heterocyclic ring structure; often highly active.

Any one of hundreds of plant products distinguished by basic reactions arising from heterocyclic nitrogen-containing and often complex structures.

One of many poisonous substances found in plants and used as.

Natural nitrogen-containing base found in plants.

One of a diverse group of nitrogen containing substances that are produced by plants and have potent effects on body function. Many alkaloids are important drugs, including morphine, quinine, atropine, and codeine.

Substances found in various plants. They include old-established drugs, such as morphine, strychnine, quinine, caffeine, nicotine, and atropine. Only a few alkaloids occur in the animal kingdom, the outstanding example being adrenaline, which is formed in the medulla of the suprarenal, or adrenal, gland. The name of an alkaloid ends in ‘ine’ (in Latin, ‘ina).

One of a group of organic alkaline substances (such as morphine or nicotine) obtained from plants. Alkaloids react with acids to form salts that are used for medical purposes.

A nitrogen-containing organic compound of vegetable origin.

One of a diverse group of nitrogen-containing basic substances found in plants, usually with a strong medicinal action.

A nitrogen-based compound contained in a plant, usually capable of having a powerful effect on bodily systems, such as painkilling or poisoning.

A group of organic compounds produced by plants (including caffeine, morphine, and nicotine) which can also be made synthetically.

In the botanical realm, a fascinating organic compound unveils itself, characterized by its base nature and the prevalent inclusion of a nitrogen atom, or often more, within its chemical structure.