Page 5 - phytochemistry II -pharmD general
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2- Animal kingdom:
• Amphibians: Alkaloids stored in cutaneous glands of amphibians &
released as a chemical defense.
• Deer male: muscopyridine alkaloid
3- Marine 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 combination 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.
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