what is alkaloid?

Question

what is alkaloid in pharmacology?

Answer 1

An alkaloid, strictly speaking, is a naturally-occurring amine produced by a plant, but amines produced by animals and fungi are also called alkaloids.
Amines are organic compounds and a type of functional group that contain nitrogen as the key atom. They can be used in aromas, dyes and medicines. They can also be deadly.

Drugs
Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine the helps to relieve allergic disorders due to cold, hay fever, itchy skin, insect bites and stings.
Chlorpromazine is a tranquillizer that sedates without inducing sleep. It is used to relieve anxiety, excitement, restlessness or even mental disorder.
Ephedrine and Phenylephrine, as amine hydrochlorides, are used as decongestants.
Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, and Methcathinone are amines that are listed as controlled substances by the DEA.
(from wiki)

Answer 2

An alkaloid, strictly speaking, is a naturally-occurring amine produced by a plant,[1] but amines produced by animals and fungi are also called alkaloids. Many alkaloids have pharmacological effects on humans and animals. The name derives from the word alkaline; originally, the term was used to describe any nitrogen-containing base. Alkaloids are usually derivatives of amino acids. Most alkaloids have a very bitter taste. They are found as secondary metabolites in plants (e.g., in potatoes and tomatoes), animals (e.g., in shellfish) and fungi, and can be extracted from their sources by treatment with acids (usually hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, though organic acids such as maleic acid and citric acid are sometimes used).

While many alkaloids, such as strychnine or coniine, are poisonous, some are used in medicine as analgesics (pain relievers) or anaesthetics, particularly morphine and codeine.

Answer 3

What Is Alkaloid

Answer 4

Any of a class of over 3000 known nitrogen-containing compounds (such as morphine, caffeine, cocaine and nicotine) that are typically basic (pH over 7) and are produced by plants but have strong physiological effects on animals (including humans). They are synthesized from amino acid precursors such as tryptophan and tyrosine.

Answer 5

Basically - a combination of amines.

Answer 6

Something which crystalises when an acid is added to it.

Answer 7

It's what happens when alcoholics get hemmorhoids.