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Plants with toxic alkaloids - University of Washington

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Alkaloid definition *<br />

3000 alk. in 4000 species <strong>of</strong> fungi and plants (ca. 40 in animals)<br />

Fabaecea, Solanaecea, Rubiaceae, Apiaecea, Piperaecea<br />

Four features <strong>of</strong> <strong>alkaloids</strong><br />

- Contain N<br />

- have alkaline reaction (pH>7)<br />

- bitter taste<br />

- <strong>of</strong>ten affect CNS <strong>of</strong> animals<br />

Taxus b. taxol to fight ovarian/breast cancer<br />

Ephedra ephedrine to fight bronchial asthma, bronchitis<br />

Rauwolfia/reserpin tranquilizer (schizo), red. blood pressure<br />

Vinca rosea vinblastine against leucemia (cancer. blood cells)<br />

Pilocarpus pilocarpine relieves intraocular pressure (glaucoma)

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