Alkaloids

Question 1

Colchine MOA, CS, Plants?

Answer 1

MOA: Antimitotic
CS: multi-organ involvement
Plants: Autumn crocus, Glory lily

Question 2

Diterepene alkaloids MOA, CS, Plants?

Answer 2

MOA: competitive blockade of nicotinic receptors at the muscle endplate (similar to curare)
CS: muscle weakness, collapse, sudden death
TX: Physostigmine
Plants: Delphinium spp, Monkshade (Aconite)

Question 3

Ergot alkaloid MOA, CS, Plants?

Answer 3

MOA: vasoconstriction
CS: gangrene,
(chronic) uterine contraction-> abortions
Plant: Ergot

Question 4

Indolizine MOA, CS, Plants?

Answer 4

MOA: decreases glycoproteins, peripheral nerve damage, abnormal hoof and hair (via selenium)
CS: CNS, Infertility, congenital defects, heart failure, weight loss, decrease immune function
Plants: Locoweed, Milkvetch

Question 5

Lycorine MOA, CS, Plants?

Answer 5

MOA: emetic and purgative, bulb is most toxic
CS: GI, CNS- seizures
Plants: Narcissus, Lily’s (not Peace lily)

Question 6

Muscarine MOA, CS, Plants?

Answer 6

MOA: Cholinergic-R stimulation
CS: CNS stimulation
TX: Atropine
Plants: Amanita mushroom

Question 7

Piperdine alkaloids MOA, CS, Plants?

Answer 7

MOA: Nicotinic stimulation and then blockade
CS: CNS- ataxia, birth defects- skeletal deformation and cleft palate
Plants: Hemlock, lupines, tocbacco

Question 8

Pyridine MOA, CS, Plants?

Answer 8

MOA: Nicotinic-R stimulation
CS: CNS- stimulation, GI- V/D, salivation, Respiratory failure
Plants: tobacco

Question 9

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids MOA, CS, Plants?

Answer 9

MOA: hepatotoxic
CS: hepatotoxicity
Plants: rattlebox, Heliotrope

Question 10

Solanine and solanidine MOA, CS, Plants?

Answer 10

MOA: all the things- multisystem
CS: CNS, GI, resp, cardiac
Plants: Nightshade family, only toxic when green and immature

Question 11

Taxine alkaloids MOA, CS, Plants?

Answer 11

MOA: similar to cardiac glycosides
CS: cardiotoxic, GI signs
Plants: Japanese yew

Question 12

Tropane alkaloids (atropine) MOA, CS, Plants?

Answer 12

MOA: CNS and cardio stimulation
CS: GI, CNS-seizures, tachycardia, mydriasis
Plants: Jimsonweed, Devils trumpet, Angels trumpet, Henbane
TX: Physostigmine

Question 13

Xanthine alkaloids MOA, CS, Plants?

Answer 13

MOA: inhibit phosphodiesterase
CS: GI, CNS and CV stimulation,
Plants: cocoa, coffee Arabica (good coffee)

Question 14

Monkshade MOA and CS?

Answer 14

Diterpene alkaloids -> nicotinic-R blockade (similar to curare)
Muscle weakness, staggering, collapse, sudden death
TX: physostigmine

Question 15

Locoweed MOA and CS?

Answer 15

Indolizidine alkaloids -> inhibit enzymes, decrease cell energy
CNS depression, infertility, HF, congenital defects

Question 16

Tobacco MOA and CS?

Answer 16

Piperidine alkaloids-> nicotinic effects -> ataxia, birth defects
Pyridine alkaloids-> nicotinic-R -> GI signs, CNS stimulation, respiratory failure

Question 17

Rattle box MOA and CS?

Answer 17

Pyrrolizine alkaloids-> hepatotoxic -> 2nd brain damage

Hepatic encephalopathy, hepatic photosensitization

Question 18

Poisonous Mushroom (Amanita) MOA and CS? TX?

Answer 18

Muscarine-> muscarinic cholinergic-R stimulation
CNS stimulation
TX: Atropine

Question 19

Jimsonweed MOA and CS? TX?

Answer 19

Tropane alkaloids -> (atropine, hyoscine, hyoscyamine)
GI, CNS-seizures, tachycardia, mydriasis
All parts are toxic
TX: Physostigmine
Seeds-> Mechanical injury

Question 20

A vet students’ favorite plants: Cocoa and Coffee Arabica (but everything in moderation) MOA and CS?

Answer 20

Xanthine alkaloids (caffeine, theophylline, theobromide) -> block adenosine-R, inhibit phosphodiesterase 
GI, CNS stimulation, tachycardia, hypotension