Alkaloids are a diverse group of naturally occurring organic compounds that predominantly contain basic nitrogen atoms. They are found in various plants and are known for their significant pharmacological effects. Alkaloids are widely used in medicine for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and stimulant properties. In cosmetics, they may be included for their antioxidant and soothing benefits.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Alkaloids can be classified into several categories based on their chemical structure, including:

• Tropane Alkaloids: Such as atropine and scopolamine, known for their effects on the nervous system.
• Isoquinoline Alkaloids: Such as berberine and morphine, which have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Pyridine and Piperidine Alkaloids: Such as nicotine and piperine, with various physiological effects.

The structure of alkaloids typically includes a heterocyclic ring containing nitrogen, which is key to their biological activity.

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Varies depending on the specific alkaloid; can be crystalline solids or liquids.

• Solubility: Generally soluble in water and alcohol; insoluble in nonpolar solvents.

• pH: Can vary widely; some alkaloids are basic while others are neutral.

• Odor: Many alkaloids have a characteristic odor, which can range from pleasant to pungent.

• Stability: Stability depends on the specific alkaloid; some may be sensitive to light or heat.

Production Process

• Extraction: Alkaloids are typically extracted from plant materials using solvents such as alcohol or water.

• Isolation: The extracted alkaloids may undergo further purification to isolate specific compounds.

• Formulation: Pure alkaloids can be incorporated into various cosmetic formulations for their beneficial properties.

Applications

• Medical: Used in pharmaceuticals for pain relief, anesthesia, and various therapeutic effects.

• Cosmetics: Found in skincare products for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties.

• Food: Some alkaloids, like caffeine, are used in food and beverages for their stimulating effects.

• Industrial Uses: May be utilized in formulations requiring natural extracts with specific bioactive properties.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Alkaloids are generally regarded as safe when used according to established guidelines. However, some alkaloids can be toxic at high concentrations, and sensitivity may vary among individuals. 

Responsible sourcing and formulation practices are essential to ensure that alkaloids are free from harmful contaminants and produced sustainably.

References__________________________________________________________________________

Kłys M, Rojek S, Maciów-Głab M, Kula K. Opium alcaloids in toxicological medico-legal practice of Department of Forensic Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College. Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol. 2013 Oct-Dec;63(4):301-6. 

Abstract. Most likely, opium was the first narcotic substance discovered at the dawn of mankind. Contemporary drug abuse predominantly poses a social and clinical problem and encompasses among other aspects emergency procedures in cases of intoxication and treatment of addictions. On the other hand, this is also a problem of the judicial system, which implements the rule of apt punishment in criminal cases (rapes, robberies, drivers, production and trade in narcotic substances) and of the necessity of monitoring drug-associates deaths. In all drug-associated cases, investigative capabilities have increased with the introduction of extremely sensitive and specific analytical methods (GC-MS, LC/MS, HPLC/DAD) allowing for detection and identification of multi-component mixtures of xenobiotics found at low concentration levels in complex biological matrices. The history of the Krakow Department of Forensic Medicine dates back to the year 1877, since archival materials have been kept since that time. Isolated deaths resulting from morphine poisoning, mostly involving individuals employed in the health care sector, constituted the subject of medico-legal expert opinions starting at the beginning of the 20th century, but only the eighties did bring the need for multidirectional toxicological examinations of opiates and their metabolites in diversified biological and non-biological materials. The present report, in addition to the historical background of opiate addiction, discusses selected problems derived from published by Department reports on opiates, including cases of fatal intoxication, hair analysis of drug addicts in its various aspects, interactions in cases of poisoning and others.

Gómez-Galera S, Pelacho AM, Gené A, Capell T, Christou P. The genetic manipulation of medicinal and aromatic plants. Plant Cell Rep. 2007 Oct;26(10):1689-715. doi: 10.1007/s00299-007-0384-x.

Abstract. Medicinal and aromatic plants have always been intimately linked with human health and culture. Plant-derived medicines constitute a substantial component of present day human healthcare systems in industrialized as well as developing countries. They are products of plant secondary metabolism and are involved in many other aspects of a plant's interaction with its immediate environment. The genetic manipulation of plants together with the establishment of in vitro plant regeneration systems facilitates efforts to engineer secondary product metabolic pathways. Advances in the cloning of genes involved in relevant pathways, the development of high throughput screening systems for chemical and biological activity, genomics tools and resources, and the recognition of a higher order of regulation of secondary plant metabolism operating at the whole plant level facilitate strategies for the effective manipulation of secondary products in plants. Here, we discuss advances in engineering metabolic pathways for specific classes of compounds in medicinal and aromatic plants and we identify remaining constraints and future prospects in the field. In particular we focus on indole, tropane, nicotine, isoquinoline alcaloids, monoterpenoids such as menthol and related compounds, diterpenoids such as taxol, sequiterpenoids such as artemisinin and aromatic amino acids.

Koskinen MJ, Kautio AL, Haanpää ML, Haapasalo HK, Kellokumpu-Lehtinen PL, Saarto T, Hietaharju AJ. Intraepidermal nerve fibre density in cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Anticancer Res. 2011 Dec;31(12):4413-6. PMID: 22199308.

Abstract. Background: Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is a common adverse event in patients receiving vinca alcaloids, platinum derivatives and taxanes. However, the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms have not been completely elucidated. We set up a prospective pilot study on skin biopsies in newly diagnosed cancer patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapeutic agents as adjuvant treatment in order to study the occurrence of small-fibre pathology and its relationship to clinical symptoms....Conclusion: During chemotherapy, results from patients revealed different evolutionary patterns of IENF density, but symptoms and IENF density were not related.