Pharmacological Activities of Alkaloids, Essay Example

Question B

A wide variety of biological activity is attributed to alkaloids, a class of naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants, animals, and fungi (Badri et al., 2019). Plants’ nitrogenous bases are converted into alkaloids, which fall into three categories based on their molecular structure: monocyclic, polycyclic, or heterocyclic nitrogen. Antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, and anticonvulsant actions are only some of the many pharmacological effects attributed to alkaloids. Morphine, caffeine, and nicotine are the most widely used alkaloids. Plants are the most common source of alkaloid synthesis, but some are also made in animals. Many different types of pharmaceuticals use alkaloids, and alkaloids can also be employed as markers for the identification and authenticity of herbal goods. One of the oldest and most widely-used families of therapeutic plant compounds, alkaloids have been studied and put to use for millennia.

Question C

• The surprising fact that initiated the research which led to the discovery of alkaloids was the observation that certain plants had medicinal properties.
• The initial hypothesis posed to explain this fact was that some chemicals in these plants must give them their medicinal properties.
• The experiments conducted to prove this hypothesis was designed to isolate and identify these chemicals. Scientists extracted the chemicals from the plants, purified them and tested them on animals and humans to study their effects.
• The tests revealed that these chemicals, which were later identified as alkaloids, had medicinal properties. This led to the further study of alkaloids and their applications in medicine.

Question D

Synthetic alkaloids are chemically identical to naturally occurring alkaloids, one of the technological advancements that arose from the discovery of alkaloids. Artificial alkaloids were created as a result of the discovery of alkaloids. The pharmaceutical industry uses synthetic alkaloids as active ingredients in various medications. From relieving pain to treating mental health issues, these medications have many potential applications. Research has also made use of synthetic alkaloids to investigate their effects on the body and produce new pharmaceuticals.

Reference

Badri, S., Basu, V. R., Chandra, K., & Anasuya, D. (2019). A review on pharmacological activities of alkaloids. World Journal of Current Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, 230-234.