alkaloid

noun

al·ka·loid | \ ˈal-kə-ˌlȯid

Definition of alkaloid

: any of numerous usually colorless, complex, and bitter organic bases (such as morphine or caffeine) containing nitrogen and usually oxygen that occur especially in seed plants and are typically physiologically active

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Finally, there are a number of chemical compounds in cocoa, most notably the flavanols, caffeine, and a bitter alkaloid called theobromine. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Chocolate has an even earlier origin than we thought, new study finds," 29 Oct. 2018 The cocaine alkaloid, the main active ingredient in coca leaves, was only isolated and synthesized as a drug in the 19th century. — National Geographic, "How Ancient Mummies Helped This Soccer Player Get to the World Cup," 26 June 2018 That idea was reinforced in the late 1930s with the publication of a paper on the use of ergotamine tartrate, an alkaloid that was known to constrict blood vessels. — David Noonan, Scientific American, "New Nerve Drugs May Finally Prevent Migraine Headaches," 1 Dec. 2015 Sandoz scientists isolated a dozen ergot alkaloids in the hope of finding a few that might prove therapeutic. — Ellen Ruppel Shell, BostonGlobe.com, "Take a hit of acid and call me in the morning," 11 May 2018 The kicker is this drink’s concentration of theobromine, which is an alkaloid that acts similarly to caffeine (stimulating) but without the actual caffeine (or acidity) of coffee. — Rachelle Robinett, Bon Appetit, "7 Ways to Get the Healthy, Chocolatey Goodness of Cacao into Your Diet," 27 Sep. 2017 The syllabus includes the history of medicinal plant use and cannabis chemistry, along with a lab in which students will perform plant tissue extraction for alkaloids and terpenoids and study purification procedures of different plants. — Author: Amber Ferguson, Alaska Dispatch News, "Finally, a degree in marijuana. But it’s not for stoners or slackers.," 23 Oct. 2017 The syllabus includes the history of medicinal plant use and cannabis chemistry, along with a lab in which students will perform plant tissue extraction for alkaloids and terpenoids and study purification procedures of different plants. — Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, "Finally, a degree in marijuana: But it’s not for stoners or slackers.," 23 Oct. 2017 The first of these alkaloids, isolated by a German chemist in the early 1800s, was none other than morphine. — Maya Wei-haas, Smithsonian, "The Unlikely Medical History of Chocolate Syrup," 6 Sep. 2017

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The first known use of alkaloid was in 1820

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alkaloid

noun

al·ka·loid | \ ˈal-kə-ˌlȯid

Medical Definition of alkaloid

: any of numerous usually colorless, complex, and bitter organic bases (as morphine or caffeine) containing nitrogen and usually oxygen that occur especially in seed plants and are typically physiologically active