Tropane Alkaloid
Definition
A class of bicyclic nitrogen-containing alkaloids (atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine) produced by Solanaceae such as Datura and Atropa belladonna. Acts as a competitive antagonist at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, producing the anticholinergic toxidrome.
- Chemical class
- Bicyclic amino alcohols esterified with tropic acid.
- Main examples
- Atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine.
- Receptor target
- Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (competitive antagonist).
- Toxidrome
- Anticholinergic syndrome.
Common questions
What do tropane alkaloids do to your body?+
Tropane alkaloids block muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, which disrupts the parasympathetic nervous system. This triggers the anticholinergic toxidrome: dilated pupils, dry mouth, racing heart, confusion, and loss of coordination.
Which plants contain tropane alkaloids?+
Datura and Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade) are the main sources. Both belong to the Solanaceae family and naturally produce atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine.
Why are tropane alkaloids important in forensics?+
These compounds cause rapid, visible poisoning symptoms and leave chemical traces. Forensic toxicologists test for them in blood and tissue to confirm plant poisoning as cause of death or injury.
Related terms
- Cardiac Glycoside
- A steroidal compound that inhibits the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in cardiac myocytes, raising intracellular calcium and producing bradyarrhythmia, AV block and hyperkalaemia....
- Anticholinergic Syndrome
- Dry as a bone, red as a beet, blind as a bat, mad as a hatter, hot as a hare. Hallmark of...
- Arylnaphthalide Lignan
- A plant secondary metabolite class to which the cleistanthins (Cleistanthus collinus toxins) belong. The cleistanthins damage the distal renal tubule, producing a...
- Cyanogenic Glycoside
- Sugar-cyanide conjugate (amygdalin in bitter almonds, linamarin in cassava). Hydrolysis releases HCN, which inhibits cytochrome c oxidase.
- Diterpene Alkaloid
- Aconitine and mesaconitine in Aconitum. Bind site 2 of the voltage-gated sodium channel and prevent inactivation. Refractory ventricular arrhythmia, death within hours.
- DNA Barcoding
- Species identification using a short, standardised region of the mitochondrial genome. For animals, the primary barcode marker is a 648-base-pair segment of...
- Keller-Kiliani Test
- Cardiac-glycoside test. Glacial acetic acid + FeCl3 layered with H2SO4 gives a reddish-brown ring and blue-green upper layer for 2-deoxysugars.
- Ribosome-Inactivating Protein (RIP)
- A glycoprotein toxin that enzymatically depurinates 28S rRNA and shuts down protein synthesis. Abrin (Abrus precatorius) and ricin (Ricinus communis) are type...
- Shodhana
- The traditional ayurvedic purification process applied to aconite root and a few other toxic plant materials before therapeutic use. Boiling in cow's...
- Toxalbumin / Lectin
- Two-chain plant protein (A-chain catalytic, B-chain lectin) that depurinates a specific adenine in 28S rRNA, inactivating the 60S ribosomal subunit. Abrin and...
- Vitali-Morin Test
- Tropane-alkaloid colour test. Fuming HNO3, evaporate, then alcoholic KOH gives violet with atropine and hyoscyamine. Negative on cocaine.
Explained in these topics
- Plant Poisons: Abrus, Ricinus, Datura, Aconite and OleanderBicyclic amino alcohol esterified with tropic acid. Atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine in Datura and Atropa belladonna. Muscarinic-receptor blockers; produce t...
- Plant Poisons of Medico-Legal Importance in IndiaA class of bicyclic nitrogen-containing alkaloids (atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine) produced by Solanaceae such as Datura and Atropa belladonna. Acts as a c...