Page 4 - Phytochemistry 2 (06-PG 605)

2- Animal kingdom:
• Amphibians: Alkaloids stored in cutaneous glands of amphibians &
released as a chemical defence.
• Deer male: muscopyridine alkaloid

3- Marin subjects:
Sponges, snails, green and red algae contain halogenated indole alkaloids.

4- Butterflies:
5- Ants & Insects
6- Fungi contain Ergot alkaloids.

Forms of alkaloids in living cells:
 As free alkaloidal bases: (not combined with acids)
 As alkaloidal salts: i.e. alkaloids are naturally combined with acids:
 a) Special acids e.g. Meconic acid (opium), Cinchotannic and Quinic acids

(cinchona).
 b) Organic acids : Oxalate, Tannate, Citrate.
 Glycosidal alkaloids (glucoalkaloid): i.e alkaloids in combinate with

sugars. e.g. Solanine alk.
 Alkaloids N-Oxides: N-Oxides of tertiary alkaloids are well-known products

of plants.

Advantages of the clinical use of N-Oxide alkaloids:
• Delayed release.
• Low Toxicity.
• Low addictive property compared with the corresponding tertiary alkaloids

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