1. Some important classes of alkaloids
Class Precursors Examples _____________
Piperidine alkaloids L-lysine (C5N) Piperine
Pyrrolidine/tropane
alkaloids L-ornithine (C4N) Cocaine, scopolamine
Pyridine alkaloids L-Trp or L-Asp Niacin (Vit. B3), nicotine
Catecholamines L-Tyr (C6C2N) Dopamine, adrenaline, mescaline
and tetrahydroisoquinolines anhalamine
Opiates 2 L-Tyr units Morphine, tubocurarine
Phenylalanine-derived L-Phe (C6C3N) Capsaicin, ephedrine
Indole alkaloids L-Trp Serotonin, ergotamine, LSD, vinblastine
Quinoline alkaloids “ quinine, camptothecin
Purine alkaloids L-Gly, L-Gln, L-Asp Caffeine, theobromine
Building blocks from the acetate, shikimate, or deoxyxylulose phosphate pathways are also frequently incorporated into the alkaloid structures.
Many alkaloids acquire their N via transamination reactions (catalyzed by Vitamin B6).
Most alkaloids are quite toxic and produced by the plant as a defense against herbivores.

2. Opiates: morphine and related compounds
Focus:
pieces/precursors
key assembly steps
structure-activity
physiological interactions
First methylation
Precursor is formed by combining two C6C2 units, both originating from tyrosine

3. Two stereoisomers lead to different classes of alkaloids
From (S)-N-methyl
coclaurine
Further methylation
is common
Berberine is found in many members of the Berberidaceae, the Ranunculaceae, and other families used in traditional medicine. Berberine has antiamoebic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

4. Curare (Chondrodendron tomentosum)
Arrow poison prepared in the rain forests by native South American tribes from bark and stems may contain >30 different plants, C. tomentosum is the main one.
Radical dimerization of the two coclaurine isomers produces a dimer.
Tubocurarine is an ACh agonist, once it gets into the bloodstream, it relaxes voluntary muscles to paralysis by blocking nerve impulses at neuromuscular junction.
Synthetic derivatives used during surgery as muscle relaxant.

5. Oh oh…I think I just stuck myself… better get out my cholinesterase inhibitor pen!

6. Making the morphine skeleton
Key steps:
oxidative coupling to make the 4th ring
2) reduction and acetylation promotes formation of the furan ring
3) Demethylation then reduction of the ketone

7. “antitussive”

8. Opium
80% of the world’s illegal opium is grown in Afghanistan, supported by the Taliban.
$ 4 billion/year industry
Northern alliance initiative to destroy poppy fields pits farmers and corrupt local officials against military
U.S. troops are supporting efforts to provide farmers with crop alternatives like pomegranates or grapes
However, many farmers told in 2007 that they will receive assistance in establishing legal crops are still waiting for help
R. Draper, “Opium Wars”, National Geographic, Feb

9. Properties of opiates
Brain has opioid receptors (d, k and m) that mediate adenylcyclase, lower cAMP levels,
increase K+ conductance, close Ca2+ channels, decrease transmission of pain signals
Morphine’s use as analgesic involves overall CNS depression so side effects include drowsiness, lethargy, constipation, unconsciousness

10. Structural basis for bioactivity of opiates
Enkephalins and endorphins are
endogenous opioid peptide ligands produced
during labor, other times of stress or shock
“Runner’s high”
ACh inhibitors, rapidly degraded
“Morphine rule”: structure must contain an aromatic ring attached to a quarternary C (Cq) with a 2-C linker to a tertiary (3o) amine

11. Drugs derived from morphine semi-synthetically
Similar activity, can be
produced from morphine
by methylation
Heroin was introduced into cough syrup in 1898
Acetylation decreases polarity, so it
crosses blood-brain barrier quickly. More addictive though.
Synthetic analogues
Effective
analgesic and
less addictive
Used in cough medicine 
Antitussive but not analgesic
“Demerol”
50-100X more active than
morphine due to lipophilicity
Orally active, produces less
euphoria, less withdrawal
Fast, but short-acting analgesia

12. From L-Tryptophan: Indole alkaloids
Produced from L-tryptophan
plus an isoprene unit,
the indole alkaloids have polycyclic ring structures
Fungi from Claviceps genus are best-known producers because they infect some grain crops, but the indoles are produced by other fungi including Aspergillus and Penicillium
Lysergic acid is probably the most well-known, as it is the precursor for hallucinogen LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) and
the ergot alkaloids – mixed agonist/antagonist effects on HT (serotonin) receptors leads to hallucinations
serotonin
skeleton

13. Ergot – not a fun guy
Ergot is the dried sclerotium of the fungus Claviceps purpurea that develops on the ovary of rye and other grasses consumed by humans or animals.
The poisonous properties of ergots are caused by a group of indole alkaloids, the ergot alkaloids or ergolines. Consumption of ergot-infected rye produces a disease called ergotism. Ergot poisoning affects two types of receptors:
1) The a-adrenergic receptors for norepinephrine which causes
• GI upsets, e.g. diarrhea, abdominal pains, and vomiting.
• Circulatory changes, e.g. coldness of hands and feet due to vasoconstriction of the blood vessels to the extremities

14. Ergot – not a fun guy
2) Ergot also acts on the serotonin (5-HT) receptors and the a-dopaminergic receptors causing neurological symptoms:
Headache, vertigo, convulsions, psychotic disturbances, hallucinations
Vasoconstriction can cause restricted blood flow in small terminal arteries, death of the tissue, gangrene, and even the loss of hands, feet, or limbs.
Gangrenous ergotism was known as St. Anthony’s Fire because the Order of St. Anthony cared for the sufferers during the Middle Ages in Europe when outbreaks of the disease in humans and animals were relatively frequent.

15. Indole-isoprenoid is modified by attachment of a small peptide (Phe & Pro usually)
Ergotamine’s vasoconstrictive activity has led to its use in treatment of migraines

16. For more information: A Trip Through LSD and the Ergot Alkaloids
Melissa Medeiros
Natural Products
May 2006

17. Amaryllidaceae alkaloids
synthetic derivative
trans-dihydronarciclasine
narciclasine
(abundant)
pancratistatin
Compounds 1 – 6 are found in Narcissus pseudonarcissus (daffodils) and other plants from the Amaryllidaceae family.
Pancratistatin (1) selectively induces apoptosis in cancer cells through a mitochondrial pathway, with little effect on normal cells. However, it’s not very abundant.
Narciclasine (3) disrupts organization of the actin cytoskeleton of cancer cells at nM.
Compound (5) also has potent anticancer activity while its cis-isomer has none.
Problems: low water-solubility, low natural abundance of (1) and (5), and toxicity of (3) ... Narciclasine inhibits CYP3A4 (major liver detoxifying cytochrome), which can damage the liver.

18. SAR shows this
part of structure
is key...
Goal of study: prepare trans-dihydro derivative of narciclasine that has the anti-cancer activity without the liver toxicity.

19. Protection of the OH groups
followed by hydrogenation usually produces a mixture of cis- and trans-isomers.
Since the cis-isomer (7) has no
anticancer activity, reaction conditions were modified until maximum yield of trans isomer was achieved.
Compound 5 did not inhibit
any of the cytochromes tested.
Result: an effective way to
prepare a less toxic drug!

20. More indole alkaloids...from Uncaria tomentosa
Complex polycyclic indole alkaloids are prevalent in species such as Uncaria tomentosa (Cat’s claw)
see: Heitzman, M. E.; Neto, C. C.; Winiarz, E.; Vaisberg, A. J., Hammond, G. B.* Review: Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Uncaria (Rubiaceae), Phytochemistry, 66: 5-29 (2005).

21. Traditional uses of U. tomentosa
Aqueous extracts of bark or roots used by Ashaninka in Peruvia rainforest:
Allergies, asthma
Wound healing, viral infections, fevers
Arthritis, gastric ulcers, rheumatism, inflammation
Contraception, menstrual irregularities, childbirth
Some of these activities are associated with alkaloids
Uncaria also contains flavonoids, catechins, cinchonains, caffeic acid and ursolic acid – these may play a role in some of the bioactivities.

23. Weaker dopamine receptor
antagonist – some locomotor
depression observed
Pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids have immune-boosting effect, upregulate B & T cell production
Tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids
block immune factor, may also inhibit central dopamine release, depressing movement

24. More indole alkaloids...terpene indole alkaloids with multicyclic structures
Coupling of tryptamine
(decarboxylated Trp)
with the secoiridoid
secologanin, followed
by a variety of cyclizations
forms terpene indole
alkaloid skeletons with
lots of structural diversity

25. Some interesting terpene indole alkaloids
Yohimbine
From Pausinystalia yohimbe
Folk use: Aphrodisiac, weight loss
Pharmacology: dilates blood vessels, binds a-adrenergic receptors
Reserpine, deserpidine
From Rauwolfia serpentina
Folk use: treat snake bite, insanity
Pharmacology: lowers blood pressure, tranquilizer, depletes stored catecholamines

26. Skeletal rearrangements and dimerization lead to vincristine/vinblastine structure
Intermediates form through rearrangement of isoprenoid moieties
Anti-cancer agent, used to treat
leukemia and lymphoma.

27. Strychnine From dried seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica
Biosynthesis: Rearrangements in strictosidine
Highly toxic convulsant
Binds to glycine binding sites in spinal cord, causes asphyxiation
Has been used as a rat poison

28. Quinine – Antimalarial agent from bark of Cinchona trees
Discovered in 1600’s , cured a Peruvian countess
Depolymerizes toxic byproducts of Plasmodium
Quinine was originally added to tonic water as a
prophylactic against malaria – gin
was later added to mask the
bitter taste 

29. Some important classes of alkaloids
Class Precursors Examples _____________
Piperidine alkaloids L-lysine (C5N) Piperine
Pyrrolidine/tropane
alkaloids L-ornithine (C4N) Cocaine, scopolamine
Pyridine alkaloids L-Trp or L-Asp Niacin (Vit. B3), nicotine
Catecholamines L-Tyr (C6C2N) Dopamine, adrenaline, mescaline
and tetrahydroisoquinolines anhalamine
Opiates 2 L-Tyr units Morphine, tubocurarine
Phenylalanine-derived L-Phe (C6C3N) Capsaicin, ephedrine
Indole alkaloids L-Trp Serotonin, ergotamine, LSD, vinblastine
Quinoline alkaloids “ quinine, camptothecin
Purine alkaloids L-Gly, L-Gln, L-Asp Caffeine, theobromine
Building blocks from the acetate, shikimate, or deoxyxylulose phosphate pathways are also frequently incorporated into the alkaloid structures.
Many alkaloids acquire their N via transamination reactions (catalyzed by Vitamin B6).
Most alkaloids are quite toxic and produced by the plant as a defense against herbivores.

30. From amino acids to purines to caffeine and xanthine alkaloids
Purine heterocyclic
ring system is derived
from amino acids and
various one C donors
muscle relaxant

31. Caffeine, Theobromine, and Theophylline
The xanthines
Caffeine, Theobromine, and Theophylline
The purine alkaloids caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline are all methyl xanthines that commonly co-occur in plants. Major sources are stimulant beverages and foods such as tea, coffee, cocoa, and cola.
Xanthines competitively inhibit phosphodiesterase, causing an increase in cyclic AMP and adrenaline release. This leads to CNS stimulation, relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle, and induction of diuresis. Inhibition of TNF-a and leukotriene synthesis is thought to occur, reducing inflammation and innate immunity.
The effects vary among the three compounds. Caffeine is the best CNS stimulant. As a vasoconstrictor it can be combined with a therapeutic agent to increase effectiveness (e.g. compound analgesics). It has weaker diuretic action.
Theobromine has little stimulant action, but has more diuretic activity and also muscle relaxant properties. Theophylline also has low stimulant action and is an effective diuretic, but it relaxes smooth muscle better than caffeine or theobromine and is frequently used in slow-release formulations.

33. Caffeine and adenosine
Caffeine readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, and once in the brain, the principal mode of action is as a nonselective antagonist of adenosine receptors (competitive inhibition)
Adenosine is found in every part of the body, but it has special functions in the brain. Concentrations of brain adenosine are thought to be increased by metabolic stresses such as anoxia or ischemia. It also may have a specific role in control of the sleep-wake cycle.
Brain adenosine may also protect the brain by suppressing neural activity and increasing blood flow through A2A and A2B receptors located on vascular smooth muscle. By counteracting adenosine, caffeine reduces resting cerebral blood flow – it’s a vasoconstrictor.
Adenosine is released in the brain through a complex mechanism. It is not likely that adenosine is the primary neurotransmitter for any group of neurons, but rather is released together with other transmitters by a number of neuron types.

34. So you can’t start the day without Joe? You’re not alone!
Is caffeine addictive? Several classes of adenosine receptors are known, and there is evidence that A 2A receptors interact with the dopamine system, which is involved in reward and arousal.
Tolerance: because caffeine is primarily an antagonist of adenosine receptors, regular caffeine consumers may adapt to its continuous presence by increasing the number of adenosine receptors.
This reduces the stimulatory effects (tolerance adaptation) and makes one much more sensitive to adenosine, so that reducing caffeine intake results in withdrawal symptoms.

35. From Drugs and the Human Body, 6th edition, K. Liska

36. Chocolate and pet poisoning
Dogs are most often affected, due to their ability to find chocolate and the common 'sweet tooth' they develop, but cats and other mammals are susceptible to the toxic effects of chocolate, too.
Theobromine is the major stimulant in chocolate. Its effects:
CNS and cardiovascular stimulant
Increases blood pressure (mild)
Nausea and vomiting
Are some chocolates more toxic than others? Yes. Unsweetened chocolate contains 8-10 times the amount of Theobromine as milk chocolate. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate falls roughly in between the two.
The toxic dose of Theobromine (or caffeine) for pets is mg/kg body weight. However, reports by the ASPCA have noted problems at doses much lower than this - i.e. 20mg/kg.
Using the 20mg/kg as a measure of "problems can be seen” a 50 lb (23 kg) dog would have to consume 9 oz of milk chocolate. Some dogs won't see problems at this rate but others may.

38. Background
A Dutch cohort study in 2002 and others found that higher coffee consumption correlates with lower risk of Type-2 diabetes.
Coffee constituents that have been previously shown to affect glucose metabolism include caffeine, chlorogenic acid, lignans, trigonelline.
Caffeine also reported to induce energy expenditure by boosting thermogenesis.
However some cohort studies suggest that decaf also reduces risk.
Is caffeine the active constituent against diabetes?

39. Mouse model
KK-A3’ mice spontaneously develop type-2 diabetes by 6 weeks old
Obesity, hyperglycemia, high triglycerides and fatty liver also develop
Hyperinsulinemia is observed, suggesting that insulin resistance occurs in peripheral tissues.
Altered signaling in adipose tissues: decreased adiponectin (a adipocytokine) and increased MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein) and TNF-a which induce insulin resistance.
Study looked at mechanism of coffee’s action against type-2 diabetes and the effect of caffeine alone on development of hyperglycemia.

40. Experiments
Expt 1: Diabetic mice were given diluted coffee vs. plain drinking water for 5 weeks ad libitum
Blood drawn and blood glucose measured weekly
Insulin tolerance test given at 5 weeks
At study end, mice were sacrificed and tested for serum insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and pro-inflammatory markers MCP-1 and IL-6.
Liver and adipose tissues were removed and examined for cholesterol, TG and phospholipid content.
Expt 2: Same study was repeated with caffeine solution (250ug/mL) vs. plain drinking water

41. Coffee treatment lowered blood glucose and insulin tolerance in the mouse model

42. Coffee treatment significantly reduced liver weight, most types of body fat, liver lipid content, insulin and TAG levels, and inflammatory markers

43. Conclusions
Coffee improved insulin sensitivity and decreased hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
Expression of inflammatory cytokines such as MCP-1, IL-6 and TNFa in adipose tissue was lower in the coffee treatment group.
Coffee decreased adipose tissue inflammation, thus improving insulin resistance.
Caffeine alone also reduced hyperglycemia, inflammation in some but not all fat tissues.
Both coffee and caffeine improved fatty liver.