What is the function of Alkaloids in living organisms which produce them? It is quite a mystery. We are not taught about it in our university syllabi. Are we missing a big chunk of biology?
Hi there,
Alkaloïds are secondary metabolites mainly produced in plants. As these molecules don't participate to primary metabolism, they circulate freely into the whole organism. Their role is purely protective against insects and mammals due to their toxicity on non plant specific targets.
Alkaloids strengthen the competitiveness of invasive plant species by inhibiting the growth of neighboring plants (this phenomenon is known as allelopathy)
Some plants contain a diverse array of alkaloids that deter vertebrate herbivores
Other classes of alkaloids are also quite toxic to herbivores and insects
Certain Alkaloids exhibit antifungal and antibacterial effects
For more detail consult:
Kishan Gopal Ramawat Jean-Michel Merillon:
Natural Products: Phytochemistry, Botany and Metabolism of Alkaloids, Phenolics and Terpenes DOI 10.1007/ 978-3-642-22144-6
Function of Alkaloids include
1. Many alkaloids possess local anesthetic properties, though clinically they are seldom used for this purpose. Cocaine (from Erythroxylon coca) is a very potent local anesthetic.
2. Quinine (from Cinchonaspecies) is a powerful antimalarial agent that was formerly the drug of choice for treating that disease, though it has been largely replaced by less toxic and more effective synthetic drugs.
3. The alkaloid tubocurarine is used as a muscle relaxant in surgery.
4. Two alkaloids, vincristine and vinblastine (from Vinca rosea), are widely used as chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of many types of cancer.
5. Nicotine obtained from the tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum) is the principal alkaloid and chief addictive ingredient of the tobacco smoked in cigarettes, cigars, and pipes.
6. Some alkaloids are illicit drugs and poisons. These include the hallucinogenic drugs mescaline (from Anhalonium species) and psilocybin (from Psilocybe mexicana).
7. Synthetic derivatives of the alkaloids morphine and lysergic acid (from C. purpurea) produce heroin and LSD, respectively.
8. The alkaloid coniine is the active component of the poison hemlock (Conium maculatum). Strychnine (from Strychnos species) is another powerful poison.
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