Page 44 - phytochemistry II -pharmD general

Pharmacology and uses

• Liquid extract of ipeca and tincture are widely used as expectorant and as
emetic in case of poisoning. ( they have an irritant effect on the stomach ).

• Emetine and 2, 3 (±) dehydroemetine DHE, are still the drugs of choice for
the treatment of severe acute amoebic intestinal infections, .

• Emetine and DHE were proved to be cytotoxic and effective in leukemia.

• Ipeca alkaloids are diaphoretic, alone or in combination with opium (e.g.
Dover's powder).

2- Curare alkaloids

• Curare is the crude dried extract of the bark and stems of Chondrodendro
species family Menispermaceae .

• Curare contains several alkaloids ,the most important are
➢ d-tubocurarine (major)

➢ Curine (minor).
Both are dimeric alkaloids (bis -benzylisoquinoline alkaloid)

Curare alkaloids

MeO *N MeO *N Me
O Me O
OH H OH H

O O

Me H H
Me OH
NN+ OH Me
N

OMe OMe

(+)-Tubocurarine (-)-Curine
(Bebeerine)

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