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alkaloid Definition

al·ka·loid (alkə 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

  1. alkalize
  2. alkalinize
  3. alkaline-earth metal
  4. alkaline
  5. alkalimeter
  6. alkalic
  7. alkali metal
  8. alkali flat
  9. alkali
  10. alkalescence
  1. alkalosis
  2. alkane
  3. alkanet
  4. alkene
  5. alkie
  6. Alkmaar
  7. Alkoran
  8. alky
  9. alkyd
  10. alkyl