Drugs from Natural Products Flashcards
In the 16th century, which books became popular? What information did they contain?
In the 16th century, texts known as herbals became very popular. These books listed common herbal remedies and the ailments they were indicated for.
What was the first synthetically produced medicine?
The first synthetic production medicine was acetylsalicylate (aspirin) by Bayer in 1899.
Why are natural products chemically/pharmaceutically relevant?
Nature can do chemistry that chemists find very hard, at room temperature and in water. Nature has had millions of years to perfect the chemical reactions that produce such products which leads to the production of a wide range of complex molecules.
Give an example of a chemical characteristic that nature can create more efficiently than scientists?
Chiral centres.
What is the active moiety in Curare?
Tubocurarine.
When did western explorers first come across Curare?
The 16th century.
In the early 1800s Charles Waterton and Claud Bernard experimented with Curare, what did they discover?
They discovered it blocked nerve transmission leading to respiratory failure.
How did Charles Waterton and Claude Bernard carry out their experiments with Curare?
They experimented on animals and themselves, so they personally could describe the effects they felt.
When tubocurarine was isolated from Curare, what was it used for/as?
It was used as a muscle relaxant in surgery. This proved very beneficial in abdominal surgery as the abdominal muscles can contract when they are cut into and this can cause the flesh to tear and become damaged.
Name two synthetic analogues of tubocurarine.
Panocurium and atracurium.
The structure of which neurotransmitter is mimicked by that of tubocurarine?
Acetylcholine.
Describe the action of tubocurarine.
Tubocurarine acts by binding to motor end plate receptors blocking the action of nicotinic acetylcholine, blocking nerve transmission and muscle contraction.
Tubocurarine has two acetylcholine mimicking sections which are spaced apart in the molecule; why is this important for its action?
This spacing is incredibly important as it helps define the drugs therapeutic index; preventing toxicity and allowing the drug to be used at optimum doses.
From what plant is hyoscine derived?
Henbane.
From what plant is atropine derived?
The deadly nightshade.
Describe the actions of hyoscine and atropine.
These compounds block the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor selectively.
How were deadly nightshade berries used cosmetically in renaissance Italy?
In Italy, during the Renaissance, deadly nightshade berries were squeezed into the eyes of women to dilate their pupils and make them more attractive to men. Belladonna translates to ‘beautiful woman’ and this is where the name comes from.
