Amines and alkaloids

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Chapter 23 Amines and alkaloids

Chapter contents

Amines 175
Alkaloids 176

This group of pharmacologically active substances is possibly the best known in terms of the effects its members have had on the human population: from Socrates’ death by hemlock to the socioeconomic problems caused by heroin and cocaine. This group is now, however, being investigated for cancer treatment.

The distinction between alkaloids and amines is not very clear in some cases, but a general definition of an alkaloid is said to be an amine isolated from a plant.

Amines

• Putrescine (Figure 23.1) is a well-known amine found in decaying material.
• The neurotransmitter, serotonin, is a tryptamine (see Figure 31.6, p. 241).
• Histamine is involved in inflammation and the immune system (see Chapter 30 ‘Inflammation and the immune system’, p. 225 and Chapter 34 ‘Respiratory diseases’, p. 267).
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Figure 23.1 Chemical structures of three well-known amines.

Alkaloids

Thousands of different alkaloids have been discovered. They are most commonly found in the following groups:

• Apocynaceae: Vinca spp. (periwinkle).
• Berberidaceae: Berberis spp. (barberry), Epimedium spp. (Yin Yang Huo), Coptis spp. (Huang Lian).
• Fabaceae: Vicia faba (fava bean).
• Papaveraceae: Papaver somniferum (opium poppy), Chelidonium majus (greater celandine), Cordydalis spp. (Yan Hu Suo).
• Ranunculaceae: Aconitum

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