Purine Alkaloids

| Home | | Pharmacognosy |

Chapter: Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry : Drugs Containing Alkaloids

Purine contains double carbon ring containing four nitrogen atoms. Purine alkaloids have a molecular structure remarkably similar to the nitrogenous purine base adenine, which is found in DNA, RNA and ATP. Iriosine and xanthosine monophospate, (IMP and XMP) are two important precursors derived via the primary purine biosynthetic pathway.


PURINE ALKALOIDS

 

 

Purine contains double carbon ring containing four nitrogen atoms. Purine alkaloids have a molecular structure remarkably similar to the nitrogenous purine base adenine, which is found in DNA, RNA and ATP. Iriosine and xanthosine monophospate, (IMP and XMP) are two important precur-sors derived via the primary purine biosynthetic pathway. They have a CNS; stimulant effect, relax bronchial smooth muscles and have a diuretic effect. Mode of action is via inhibition of phosphodiesterase, this increases production of cAMP causing release of adrenaline. These alkaloids are derived from adenine and guanine which are the purine base components of the nucleotides adenosine and guanos-ine. The nucleotides adenosine and guanosine are derived from IMP and XMP respectively. The purine alkaloids are derived from XMP.

 

Most notable of the purine alkaloids are the mild stimulants caffeine and the very similar theobromine. Caffeine occurs naturally in many beverage plants, including coffee (Coffea arabica) belonging to the family Rubiaceae, tea (Thea sinensis) belonging to the tea family (Theaceae), yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae) and cola (Cola nitida) in the chocolate family (Sterculiaceae). The primary source of theobromine is from the seeds of Cacao (Theobroma cacao), another member of the chocolate family (Sterculiaceae).

 

Contact Us, Privacy Policy, Terms and Compliant, DMCA Policy and Compliant

TH 2019 - 2025 pharmacy180.com; Developed by Therithal info.