Solanaceous Alkaloids and Analogues

Atropine, USP. Atropine is the tropine ester of racemic tropic acid and is optically inactive. It possibly occurs naturally in various Solanaceae, though some claim, with justification. that whatever atropine is isolated from natural sources results from racemization of (-)-hyoscyaminc during the isolation process. Conventional methods of alkaloid 

Auopine occurs in the form of optically inactive, white, odorless crystals possessing a biller taste. It i.s not very soluble in water (1 460. 1 90 at SO C) but is more soluble in alcohol (1 2. 1 1.2 al 60°C). It is soluble in glycerin (I 27). 

Atropine Sulfate, (JSP. Atropine sulfate (Auupisoli is prepared by neutralizing atropine in acetone or elher solulioo with an alcoholic solution of sulfuric acid, with care uwi lo prevent hydrolysis. The sail occurs as colorless ctystak 

Its ability to dry secretions has also been used in the so-called rhinitis tablets for symptomatic relief in colds. In cathartic preparations, atropine or belladonna has been used at an untispasmodic to lessen the smooth muscle spasm (griping) often as.s(K iated with catharsis. 

Atropine may be used to treat some types of arrltythmias. It increases the heart rate hy blocking the effects of ACh on the vagus. In this context, it is used to treat certain reversible hiadyairhythmias that may aceompany aeute myocardial in-raiction. It is also used us an adjunct to anesthesia to protect against bradycardia, hypotension, and even cardiac arrest ittduccd by the skeletal muscle relaxant sueeinylcholine chloride. 

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