alkaloid Definition
al·ka·loid (al′kə lo̵id′)
noun
any of a number of heterocyclic, colorless, crystalline, bitter organic substances, such as caffeine, morphine, quinine, and strychnine, having alkaline properties and containing nitrogen: they are found in plants and, sometimes, animals, and are used as drugs and stimulants, but can have a strong toxic effect on the human or animal system
Etymology: alkal(i) + -oid
alkaloid Related Forms
al′·ka·loid′·al adjective
alkaloid Usage Examples
Converse of object
- contain: Ethnic groups in West Africa use plants containing these alkaloids to treat malaria.
- find: It also shows that by far the most common Alkaloid found in species of Turbinicarpus is Hordenine.
- occur: It's a naturally occurring plant alkaloid, which no one knows how it works - and it is a powerful hallucinogen.
- derive: The most noteworthy of which being ibogaine, an indole alkaloid derived from an African plant source.
- extract: It is one of the most useful solvents for extracting alkaloids, the active ingredients in many plant medicines.
- include: Examples of novel natural products from higher plants are given and include alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics and quinones.
Adjective modifier
- poisonous: The accumulation of poisonous alkaloids can result in liver sclerosis, which may not be obvious for up to eighteen months.
- toxic: Not recommended for internal use due to toxic alkaloids.
- related: The bridged ring fragment is common to morphine and related alkaloids of pharmacological importance.
- active: Butchers Broom contains active alkaloids that have many physiological effects.
- major: Boldine, the major alkaloid, is responsible for the plant's bile stimulating effect, which has been reported to improve appetite.
- several: Ibogaine is one of several alkaloids found in the West African shrub called Tabernanthe Iboga.
Modifies a noun
- content: The plant is unpalatable to grazing animals due to the high alkaloid content.
- taspine: Enhancement of wound healing by the alkaloid taspine defining mechanism of action.
Noun used with modifier
- vinca: A drawback with the vinca alkaloids has been the lack of a medicine that can be given by mouth.
- ergot: Ergot alkaloids The ergot alkaloids have been used to treat migraine attacks for over 50 years.
- pyrrolizidine: Effects on animals The pyrrolizidine alkaloids are rapidly absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract.
- tropane: However, potatoes also contain a number of other inherent toxicants such as tropane alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, protease inhibitors and lectins.
- oxindole: Studies indicate at least six of these oxindole alkaloids can increase immune function by up to 50 % in relatively small amounts.
- indole: The most noteworthy of which being ibogaine, an indole alkaloid derived from an African plant source.
Browse dictionary entries near alkaloid
- ‹ alkalize
- ‹ alkalinize
- ‹ alkaline-earth metal
- ‹ alkaline
- ‹ alkalimeter
- ‹ alkalic
- ‹ alkali metal
- ‹ alkali flat
- ‹ alkali
- ‹ alkalescence

