Opiate alkaloids chemistry

Endogenous and exogenous alkaloids in shrimp, crabs, and barnacles are not studied. They probably are interesting animals from an evolutional point of view, and their chemistry research could lead to a new alkaloid discoveries. Lobsters have a low concentration endogenous opiate alkaloids in their body. These alkaloids are known to modify the channels and working on the nervous system. ... 

Opiates are medications derived from the poppy plant that attach to opioid receptors in the brain. The extraction of morphine from opium marked the beginning of organic alkaloid chemistry and has led to the synthesis of a variety of semisynthetic and synthetic analgesics. Opium and its derivatives have been used for thousands of years not only for pain relief but also for the euphoria that they produce. It is this dual effect that allows them to be so useful but also addictive and therefore dangerous. Understanding their stmcture, action, use, and abuse reflects the close connection that we have with the plant world. 

A detailed discussion of heroin and the opiate alkaloids, including their extraction, preparation, synthesis, and chemistry, is presented in Chapter 8. 

Molecular mechanics calculations have proven to be enormously useful in organic chemistry, particularly in pharmaceutical research where the complementary fit between a drug molecule and a receptor molecule in the body is often a key to des ning new pharmaceutical agents. Morphine and other opium alkaloids, for instance, have a specific three-dimensional shape (Figure 4.26) that allows them to nestle into complementary-shaped cavities on opiate receptor proteins in the brain. Once this shape is known, other molecules calculated to have similar shapes can be des ned, leading to the possibility of enhanced biolc icsil activity. 

In this report, a brief overview of the history of the chemistry and pharmacology of the opium alkaloids will be presented in order to place recent progress in opiate total synthesis in proper perspective. After a brief description of how past, present and possible future developments influenced the development of the NIH opiate total synthesis, some recent progress in this area will be described. 

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