Inventory of Commonly Used Alkaloids in Medicines

Alkaloids are a diverse group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that are known to have various medicinal properties. They are commonly found in plants and have been used for centuries in traditional medicine. In recent years, alkaloids have gained significant attention in the field of modern medicine due to their potential therapeutic benefits. In this article, Alfa Chemistry will take stock of some common alkaloids used as medicines.
Pharmacological Activities of Alkaloids
Alkaloids have demonstrated a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, anticancer, and analgesic properties. These bioactive compounds have the potential to be developed into novel medications for the treatment of various diseases.
Alkaloids with Antimicrobial Activity
Alkaloids have been extensively studied for their antimicrobial properties. Alkaloids prevent bacterial growth by employing various mechanisms, such as hindering bacterial nucleic acid and protein synthesis, altering the permeability of the bacterial cell membrane, causing damage to the cell membrane and cell wall, impeding bacterial metabolism, and inhibition of efflux pumps. Alkaloids with antibacterial effects that have been widely explored include isoquinoline alkaloids, pyridine alkaloids, indole alkaloids, steroidal alkaloids, etc. One of the most well-known alkaloids with antimicrobial activity is berberine, which has shown significant activity against a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.
Alkaloids with Antimalarial Activity
Several classes of alkaloids have been shown to have good antimalarial activity, and they are compounds with great structural diversity. These alkaloids include terpenoidal, steroidal, indole, phenanthroindolizine, isoquinoline, benzylisoquinoline, hasubanane, naphthoisoquinoline, aporphine, morphinandienone, protoberberine, Amaryllidaceae, cyclopeptide, quinoline, pyridocoumarin, acridone, and macrocyclic alkaloids. Quinine, an alkaloid found in the bark of the cinchona tree (Cinchona officinalis), has historically been used in the treatment of malaria. Additionally, artemisinin, derived from the sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua), has gained attention for its potent antimalarial properties. The discovery of artemisinin and its derivatives has significantly advanced the field of antimalarial drug development.
Alkaloids with Anticancer Activity
Alkaloids have also been investigated for their potential in cancer treatment. The anticancer activity of alkaloids may be achieved through different mechanisms of action, such as DNA damage, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting cell division. Tasiu Isah reviews several anticancer alkaloids from trees for drug development, including paclitaxel, camptothecin, rohitukine, harringtonine, acronycin, thalicarpine, ellipticine, usambarensine, matrines, and so on.
Examples of Medicinal Uses of Alkaloids
Alkaloids find extensive applications in modern medicine, owing to their diverse pharmacological properties. Some notable examples include:
Quinine's effectiveness in treating malaria has been well documented in numerous clinical studies and has led to the development of synthetic derivatives, such as chloroquine and mefloquine, which are widely used in modern antimalarial medications.
Morphine and codeine, both derived from opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), are essential analgesics widely used for pain management.
Ephedrine, an alkaloid found in plants of the Ephedra genus, has been utilized for its bronchodilator and decongestant properties. The bronchodilatory effects of ephedrine have been extensively studied, leading to its incorporation into various over-the-counter and prescription medications for respiratory conditions.
Vincristine and vinblastine exhibit potent antitumor activity by interfering with the microtubule structures within cancer cells, ultimately leading to their destruction.
References
1.Yumei Yan, et al. Antibiotics, 2021, 10(3), 318.
2.Philip F. Uzor, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020.
3.Tasiu Isah. Pharmacogn Rev. 2016, 10(20): 90-99.