Search Results - Alkaloid
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Alkaloids are naturally occurring chemical compounds containing basic nitrogen atoms. [1] The name derives from the word alkaline and was used to describe any nitrogen-containing base. Alkaloids are produced by a large variety of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals and are part of the group of natural products (also called secondary metabolites). Many alkaloids can be purified from crude extracts by acid-base extraction. Many alkaloids are toxic to other organisms. They often have pharmacological effects and are used as medications, as recreational drugs, or in entheogenic rituals. Examples are the local anesthetic and stimulant cocaine, the stimulant caffeine, nicotine, the analgesic morphine, or the antimalarial drug quinine. Some alkaloids have a bitter taste. The classification of the alkaloids is complex and may be guided by a set of rules that take into account the structure and other chemical features of the alkaloid molecule, its biological origin, as well as the biogenetic origin where known.[2][3] For example, where the biosynthesis pathway of an alkaloid is unknown, it may be grouped based on structural similarities with known compounds, including non-nitrogenous compounds, or by the organism(s) from which the alkaloid was isolated.[3] Low-molecular weight alkaloids without hydrogen bond donors such as hydroxy groups are often liquid at room temperature, examples are nicotine, sparteine, coniine, and phenethylamine. The basicity of alkaloids depends on the lone pairs of electrons on their nitrogen atoms. As organic bases, alkaloids form salts with mineral acids such as hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid and organic acids such as tartaric acid or maleic acid. These salts are usually more water-soluble than their free base form.
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Showing 1 to 9 of 9 Articles matching 'Alkaloid' in related articles. |
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1. Before You Smoke, Ask Yourself -What Is A Cigarette?
October 31, 2009
A cigarette isn't a few dried leaves and paper. A cigarette is a Nicotine Delivery System, a highly refined and carefully engineered product. Cigarettes are designed pacifically to deliver a naturally occurring alkaloid, nicotine fast and efficiently to the body avoiding or masking them from the body's natural defense mechanisms.
Nicotine is the cause of addiction but cigarettes are laced with up to 600 compounds commonly referred to as additives or flavorings, which mask the serious effects some of these compounds have on the body. Some of these ingredients are approved additives in food,... (read more)
Author: Perry Stevens
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2. Quitting Smoking The Easy Way
September 16, 2009
Prolonged use of cigarettes can be habit forming. The chief culprit for this dependence formation is believed to be the presence of nicotine. It is an addictive alkaloid produced by and found in the leaves of tobacco plants. The nicotine content on each tobacco plant is fairly high, as it makes up about four percent of the weight of the plant itself. After being processed, the leaves g... (read more)
Author: William Doyle
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3. The Side Effects of Caffeine #1
June 08, 2009
Caffeine is a white crystalline xanthine alkaloid stimulant drug that acts as a stimulant drug. This bitter alkaloid is part of chemical mixtures found within insoluble complexes guaranine which is found in guarana, theine which is found in tea, as well as mateine which is found in yerba mate.
Caffeine is found in different quantities within leaves, beans, and even some fruit. For the most part humans use caffeine that has been extracted from cherries of the coffee plant as well as the leaves from the popular tea bush. Occasionally you can find caffeine as as source from the kola nut, gua... (read more)
Author: Gerald Fitz
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4. Buy Ephedrine , Cheap Prices, The Best World Quality -Find The Best And Most Popular
April 17, 2009
Ephedrine (EPH) is a sympathomimetic amine commonly used as a stimulant, appetite suppressant, concentration aid, decongestant, and to treat hypotension associated with anaesthesia. Ephedrine is similar in structure to the synthetic derivatives amphetamine and methamphetamine. Chemically, it is an alkaloid derived from various plants in the genus Ephedra (family Ephedraceae). It is most usually marketed in the hydrochloride and sulfate forms. Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine, the principal mechanism of its action relies on its direct and indirect actions on the adrenergic receptor system,... (read more)
Author: Sharad Shrivastava
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5. Caffeine Facts
February 20, 2009
Caffeine 1. What is it and where is it from?? Caffeine was discovered in 1820. In 1838, it was found that theine, a substance in tea, was chemically identical to caffeine. A handful of caffeine containing plants are used more around the world as a beverage than any other plants or herbs put together. Some of the many natural plants containing caffeine are: Coffee, Tea, Kola, Cocoa, and Guarana. Caffeine is an alkaloid; of which there are numerous compounds such as the methylxanthines, with three distinguished compounds: caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine, found in guarana, kola nut... (read more)
Author: Supplement Centre
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6. Alternative Treatment and Herbal Medicines For Breast Cancer
May 15, 2008
Cancer requires scrupulous medical and surgical treatment. Nonetheless, certain alternative therapies may play an adjunctive role in its care.
Herbal Medicine
Herbalists have long recommended tropical periwinkle to treat breast cancer and other malignancies. Indeed, a periwinkle alkaloid is used to make vincristine, a very potent chemotherapy agent. Oncologists stress, however, that this drug should be used only under careful medical supervision rather than to resort to herbal periwinkle extracts, which can be highly toxic.
Meditation, Self Hypnosis And Visualization
Studie... (read more)
Author: Francis Adam
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7. Side Effects of Barley Grass
March 28, 2008
Barley Grass was one of the first grains to be cultivated. Barley grass, the botanical name of which is hordeum, is proving to be an extremely valuable remedy for a host of complaints. It contains an active ingredient called proanthocyanidin - a powerful plant chemical that works at a cellular level.Barley also contains a -glucan, a fiber also found in oat bran and reported to reduce cholesterol levels. The root contains the alkaloid hordenine which stimulates peripheral blood circulation and has been used as a bronchodilator for bronchitis. Barley bran, like wheat bran may be effective in pro... (read more)
Author: Juliet Cohen
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8. Safe Brainpower Supplements
February 27, 2007
Imagine just popping some pills and feeling your brainpower growing. There are four safe supplements that you can use this way. Two of them may even be free.
Vinpocetine
This is an extract derived from an alkaloid found in the Periwinkle Plant. It is used as a cerebral vasodilator to increase blood flow to the brain, which improves oxygenation and so increases mental alertness and acuity. Recent research also suggests that it may be one of the most powerful memory enhancers available to date.
Vinpocetine acts on the circulatory system as well as on the brain's metabolism, ... (read more)
Author: Steve Gillman
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9. QUITTING SMOKING AND UNDERSTANDING HOW NICOTINE AFFECTS THE BODY
January 24, 2006
This is the time of year when we make New Year’s resolutions. One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to quit smoking. It is important to understand why you are addicted before you start any program. Understanding how nicotine affects the body is the fist step in quitting smoking. The second step is picking the right program for you to help you achieve your goal of becoming a non-smoker.
Nicotine is a type of chemical called an alkaloid. Many plants containing alkaloids are poisonous and produce a bitter taste when eaten. Nicotine is found in cigarettes, but it has other uses as... (read more)
Author: Robert Burns
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