In this blog post, we’ll explore how the complex structures and diverse functions of alkaloids have influenced medicine and society from the Middle Ages to modern times.
Modern chemical knowledge tells us that the medicine that put Juliet to sleep was an extract of belladonna. This drug was used in the Middle Ages to dilate the pupils of the eyes, but it was a so-called poison that caused coma if taken in large doses. To medieval people who lacked chemical knowledge, it would have seemed like a witch’s brew. Even its name, belladonna, means “beautiful woman” and comes from the fact that women of the time used it to make their eyes look more mesmerizing. But this beauty came at a deadly price, and many people in the Middle Ages would have used it without realizing its dark side.
Belladonna wasn’t the only plant that had these magical properties. Mandrake, which appears in Harry Potter, and henbane, which killed Hamlet’s father in the play Hamlet, were among them. These plants were notorious for their poisonous properties and often appeared in legends and folklore because of their influence. What these plants have in common is that they contain alkaloids. Let”s take a look at what these alkaloids are, what their characteristics are, which herbs contain them, and how they work.
What are alkaloids? Alkaloids, also called phytobases, are a family of organic nitrogenous compounds that includes about 250 species of organics, including well-known compounds like caffeine, morphine, and nicotine. They are mostly derived from natural plants, but some are artificially synthesized in the laboratory. Alkaloids are complex and diverse in structure, so their functions are also very broad. Although there”s no universal way to classify them, they can be categorized into different groups based on their chemical structure, such as sedative alkaloids, primitive alkaloids, etc. They are used as medicines, poisons, and narcotics because of their effects on various physiological processes in the human body, some of which alter human senses or alter psychological states.
It’s not entirely clear what role alkaloids play within the plants that produce them, but one thing is clear: they have unique effects on animal physiology, especially the central nervous system. For example, alkaloids can interfere with or amplify the transmission of nerve impulses, which is why they have analgesic effects in small doses but are severely toxic in large doses. So while most are dangerous toxins in large doses, they’re also common compounds used in medicine. Alkaloids have a long history as medicines. On record, they’ve been used for medicinal purposes since around 2000 BC in the Mesopotamian civilization. Since then, many alkaloids have been used in shamanic rituals and folk medicine. Some of these medicinal properties caused hallucinations and were the source of witch hunts during the Middle Ages. In modern times, they are the basis of many medicines, such as the painkiller codeine, the local anesthetic benzocaine, and the antimalarial drug chloroquine.
In the Middle Ages, when medical science was less advanced, the sick relied on folk remedies and shamanic rituals to treat the sick, and many herbs were used to treat illness and relieve pain. These include wild celery (to prevent muscle spasms), ivy (to relieve asthma), and foxglove, which contains cardiac glycosides that are highly effective for the heart. Cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin from Fox’s Globe, are still an important component in the treatment of heart disease today. Salicylic acid, which was used before aspirin, is also derived from willow. As you can see, many medicinal herbs are the source of modern medicines, and unfortunately, some are the origin of illegal drugs. The plants of the hemlock genus are widely distributed in temperate regions of the world, and it has long been known that their seeds, when mixed with tobacco, cause hallucinations. The hallucinogenic component is atropine, a compound that has a very similar structure to cocaine. Cocaine is also an alkaloid, extracted and refined from the leaves of the coca tree in South America. Another drug is morphine, which was used to soothe malignant pain. Morphine is an extract of the poppy that”s still used as a painkiller due to its great efficacy.
What are the physiological effects of alkaloids? Although the role of alkaloids is unclear, the consensus is that they were likely used to protect the plant. This is because alkaloids have beneficial effects in small doses, but are deadly toxic in large doses. This suggests that they may have developed in nature as part of a defense mechanism for plants to protect themselves. The association of alkaloids with serotonin, dopamine, histamine, and other neurotransmitters important to the central nervous system is also an important clue to understanding their complex role. Of course, the exact principles and mechanisms of action are different for each molecule of alkaloids, and this is one of the major challenges of modern chemistry.
No matter how advanced modern technology is, the sources of human life are still rooted in Mother Nature. Alkaloids are an excellent example of this deep connection between nature and humans. Alkaloids have been used by humans as herbal medicines for thousands of years, are still the source of many medicines, and are widely used not only for medicinal applications but also as beverages and food additives. At the same time, however, the misuse of these alkaloids has led to many disasters, which should make us realize how important it is to use these compounds wisely. Modern society needs the wisdom to utilize alkaloids to their full potential, while clearly recognizing and managing their risks.
