Biological effects and use of chosen alkaloids

Alkaloidi su jedna od najvećih skupina biljnih specijaliziranih metabolita zbog svoje raznolikosti struktura i biosintetskih puteva. Morfij je prvi alkaloid izoliran 1804. godine u kristalnom obliku iz opijumskog maka. Više od 20 000 alkaloida izolirano je od otkrića morfija. Niskomolekularni su spojevi koji su alkalni zbog prisustva heterocikličkog prstena koji sadrži dušikov atom. Te spojeve proizvode uglavnom cvjetnice i neke životinje. Neke biljne porodice kao Papaveraceae, Ranunculaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Solanaceae, Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Berberidaceae, Boraginaceae, Fabaceae vrlo su bogate alkaloidima. Alkaloidi su zanimljiva skupina spojeva širokog spektra djelovanja, nepoželjnih i poželjnih učinaka na životinjske i ljudski organizam. Djeluju antibakterijski, antimitotički, protuupalno, analgetski, lokalno anestetski, hipnotički, psihotropno i protiv tumora. Obuhvaćaju neuroaktivne molekule, poput kofeina i nikotina, te djeluju kao stimulansi i lijekovi, primjerice kodein, morfij, vinblastin i vinkristin.Alkaloids are basically one of the largest groups of plant-specialized metabolites as a result of their diversity of structures and biosynthetic pathways. In 1804, morphine was the the first alkaloid to be isolated in crystalline form from opium poppy. Since the discovery of morphine, more than 20,000 alkaloids have been isolated. Low molecular weight compounds are alkaline due to the presence of a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom. These compounds are mostly produced by flowering plants and some animals. Some plant families like Papaveraceae, Ranunculaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Solanaceae, Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Berberidaceae, Boraginaceae, Fabaceae are very rich in alkaloids. Alkaloids as such are an interesting group of compounds with a broad spectrum of overall effectiveness, and undesirable and desirable effects on animal and human organisms. They have antibacterial, antimitotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, local anesthetic, hypnotic, psychotropic and antitumor effects. Finally, alkaloids also include neuroactive molecules, such as caffeine and nicotine, and act as stimulants and drugs, some of which include codeine, morphine, vinblastine and vincristine