Page 45 - phytochemistry II -pharmD general

d- (+) tubocurarine chloride
✓ It is a dextrorotatory, quaternary, bis benzylisoquinoline alkaloid,
✓ It is insoluble in organic solvents
✓ It is soluble in water and in alcohol,

It dissolves in solutions of alkali hydroxide. Why?
(-) Curine (bebeerine)

It differs from (+) tubocurarine in being
▪ 3ry alkaloid.
▪ It is soluble in organic solvents.
▪ Insoluble in cold water.

Estimation of d- tubocurarine chloride
▪ Tubocurarine can be quantitatively estimated either biologically or spectro-

photometrically.
1- Biological assay (head-drop method)
It is the smallest amount of the drug capable of producing a full head drop in
50% or more of
the test group.
2- Spectrophotometric assay:
Based on measuring the absorbance at max 280 nm.
Uses
Skeletal muscle relaxant.
- Used as adjuvant to anaesthesia to secure muscular relaxation in surgical
operations,
- Control and reduce convulsions of strychnine poisoning and tetanus

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