Opium

General Introduction of Opium:

• Opium alkaloids are among the most ancient and widely used natural products, valued for their analgesic, antitussive, and sedative properties.
• They are primarily derived from the latex of the opium poppy.

Synonyms of Opium:

• Common Name: Poppy alkaloids
• Scientific Name: Papaver somniferum alkaloids
• Other Names: Morphine, Codeine, Papaverine alkaloids

Biological Source:

• Plant: Extracted from the latex of the unripe capsules of Papaver somniferum (opium poppy).
• Family: Papaveraceae

Composition:

• Alkaloid Categories:

  • Phenanthrene Alkaloids: Morphine, Codeine, Thebaine.
  • Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloids: Papaverine, Noscapine.
• Over 40 different alkaloids have been identified in opium.

Chemistry & Chemical Classes:

• Chemical Class:

  • Isoquinoline alkaloids

• Structure:

  • Morphine and Codeine are phenanthrene alkaloids (with morphine having hydroxyl groups and codeine featuring methylation, which affects lipophilicity).
  • Papaverine is a benzylisoquinoline derivative known for its vasodilatory activity.

• Solubility:

  • Morphine is water-soluble, whereas codeine is more lipophilic due to the presence of a methyl group.

Therapeutic Uses:

• Morphine: Considered the gold standard for managing severe pain.
• Codeine: Used as a mild analgesic and antitussive agent.
• Papaverine: Employed as a smooth muscle relaxant for treating vasospasms and gastrointestinal spasms.

Commercial Applications:

• Morphine: Marketed in various formulations including tablets, injections, and controlled-release systems.
• Codeine: Commonly used in cough syrups and combination analgesics.
• Papaverine: Available as an injection for vasodilation and smooth muscle relaxation treatments.

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