Page 34 - phytochemistry II -pharmD general
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2- Tobacco Alkaloids
Several alkaloids occurs in the leaves of tobacco plant (Nicotianatabacum)
family Solanaceae ,of which nicotine constitutes about 75% of the total
alkaloids.
L-Nicotine L- Nor-nicotine
Tests for identity
- Aqueous solution gives a red color with vanillin/ HCl.
Toxicity. It has a unique action on the autonomic ganglia, where in small
doses, it can act as a respiratory stimulant, though in larger doses, it causes
respiratory depression.
Nicotine has been implicated to some extent in the etiology of some
cardiovascular diseases and in chronic obstructive lung diseases. Nicotine is
teratogenic in laboratory animals. Tobacco smoking also contributes to
atherosclerosis and chronic bronchitis.
Uses
Nicotine has little use in medicine due to its high toxicity. It is mainly used as
insecticide, pesticide either as spray or vapor.
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