Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Hey Universe, humans love plants- My name is Colton lets get started.
This plant is called Datura. Concealed within- are many different Tropane
alkaloids. Tropane not propane -alkaloids -include Atropine, Scopolomine, and hyisamine
- This special cocktail can cause incredible stresses on the human body.
First-Acetylcholine - a neurotransmitter in the brain- binds with specific sites- and
-controls a wide variety of funtions. Most Tropane alkaloids are Anticholinergics- compounds
that blocks acetylcholine from binding in these receptor sites.
The enzyme acetylcholinesterase is abundant in the synaps -and -its role is to rapidly
reduce extra acetylcholine from the synapse -which breaks it down into -- acetyl co A
and .....choline - from which it was synthesyzed -
Certain neurotoxins work by inhibiting that enzyme , leading to excess acetylcholine at
the synaps, causing over stimulation, nerve and musscle paralysis.
Organophosphates such as pesticides -and nerve agents like sarin gas -are potent inhibitors
of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Unable to degrade the compound acetylcholine- it
quickly builds up in the synaps, - Anti cholenergics like Datura can counteract
organophosphate exposure by blocking the binding sites so any acetylcholine floating around
-can be eventually inactivated by the enzyme. Awesome if you happen to live in this part
of the world- or happen to like the subway.
Atropine- an alkaloid -is primarely used to resusitate patients in cardiac arrest or assist
in returning a bradycardia rythm to normal levels.
Scopolomine is an incredibly potent alkaloid and therefore difficutl to guage its dose,
it is used in western medicine for motion sickness. Doses higher than 300 micrograms
can cause hallucinations and delusions.
Hyoscyamine is also known as levo-atropine and shares similar properties- this completes
the trifecta of superproperties.
Alkaloid-containing plants have been used by humans since ancient times for therapeutic
and recreational purposes. Some animals adapted to alkaloids and now rely on them- neurotransmitters
serotonin, and dopamine originated as alkaloids. .