Alkaloids
Caffeine, as well as nicotine, are examples of compounds that are called alkaloids. Alkaloids are physiologically active compounds produced by plants.
People in various parts of the world have known for centuries that physiological effects can be obtained by eating or chewing the leaves, roots, or bark of certain plants. Over 5000 different compounds that are physiologically active have been isolated from such plants.
Besides caffeine(coffee beans and tea leaves) and necotine(tobacco leaves), other alkaloids include cocaine (coca plant) atropine, and opium. The latter three alkaloids are currently used in medicine.
Quinine, which occurs in cinchoha bark, is used to treat malaria. Atropine, which is isolated from the bellodonna plant, is used to dilate the pupil of the eye in patients undergoing eye examination. Opium, the dried juice of the oriental poppy plant, has been used for centuries as a pain-killing drug. It contains numerous alkaloids, including morphine and codeine.
People in various parts of the world have known for centuries that physiological effects can be obtained by eating or chewing the leaves, roots, or bark of certain plants. Over 5000 different compounds that are physiologically active have been isolated from such plants.
Besides caffeine(coffee beans and tea leaves) and necotine(tobacco leaves), other alkaloids include cocaine (coca plant) atropine, and opium. The latter three alkaloids are currently used in medicine.
Quinine, which occurs in cinchoha bark, is used to treat malaria. Atropine, which is isolated from the bellodonna plant, is used to dilate the pupil of the eye in patients undergoing eye examination. Opium, the dried juice of the oriental poppy plant, has been used for centuries as a pain-killing drug. It contains numerous alkaloids, including morphine and codeine.
posted by Ilangilang | 11:11 PM
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