Transcript Psychoactive Plants

Psychoactive Plants
Stimulants - III: Other Stimulants
Stimulants
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Cocaine
Ephedrine
Nicotine
Khat - cathonine
Betel nuts - arecoline
Caffeine
Khat
Khat: stimulant from Catha Edulis
Alkaloids
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Khat contain cathinone and cathine, two
phenylisopropylamine alkaloids which resemble
amphetamine –
Cathinone is the main alkaloid
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Produces amphetamine-like action - effects not distinguishable from
amphetamine - a naturally occurring amphetamine - carbonyl group
replaces methylene side chain
Drug conditioned animals cannot distinguish cathinone from
amphetamines
Khat consumption induces mild euphoria and excitement,
reduces appetite, increases heart rate and blood pressure
Withdrawal symptoms can follow prolonged khat use include
lethargy, depression, nightmares and tremor
Cathinone
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Functions by releasing catecholamines (esp.
dopamine) from presynaptic storage sites
Cathinone only present in fresh leaves – it
degrades within 48 hrs
After this time only cathine left
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Cathine also a stimulant but has a lower potential
for abuse
Amphetamine
Cathinone
Ephedrine
Meth-amphetamine
Cathine
Pseudoephedrine
Betel Nuts
Betel nuts from the betel palm Areca catechu
Traditional Use
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Long history of use in Asia - recorded in 4th century
in China
Traditionally chewed
Crushed betel nuts (from the betel palm) wrapped in
pieces of betel leaf from the betel vine, Piper betel
(in the pepper family - Piperaceae) along with lime
and sometimes other flavorings
Lime (CaCO3) needed to release alkaloid
Arecoline
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Many active ingredient in betel nuts is the
alkaloid arecoline - although betel nuts have
several other alkaloids
Arecoline has also been shown to improve
learning and memory
Also traditional use for intestinal worms
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Used as an antihelminthic in veternary medicine
today
Mode of Action
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Not completely understood
Believed to affect the central and autonomic nervous
systems - increases plasma concentrations of
norepinephrine and epinephrine
Evidence suggests also an inhibitor of GABA
(gamma aminobutryc acid) uptake
Also Piper betel leaf contains aromatic phenolic
compounds which have been found to stimulate the
release of catecholamines in vitro
Effects of Betel Chewing
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Stains mouth
Possible carcinogen
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Betel chewing associated with throat, mouth, and
esophagal cancers
Betel chewing spreading
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Lime (CaCO3) needed to release arecoline
However some chew it only for flavor not stimulating
effect
Also mixed with tobacco and it strongly interacts with
tobacco
Caffeine
Coffee and Caffeine
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Made from seeds of Coffea arabica in the
Rubiaceae
Seeds occur in coffee berries (cherries of
commerce)
Flowers and berries of
Coffea arabica
Coffee berries are picked by hand
by worker in Columbia
Coffea arabica native to Ethiopia
Ethnobotany and history
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Long history of use in Arab world
Introduced to Europe in 1615
By 1700 coffee houses popular throughout
Europe
Dutch established plantations in East Indies
late in 17th century
East Indies  Paris and Amsterdam 
Caribbean Islans  South America
Caffeine
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Caffeine occurs naturally in the leaves, seeds or fruit
of more than 60 plant species, of which coffee,
cocoa-beans, tea, cola and guarana are the best
known
Like other stimulates, caffeine acts on CNS noradrenergic receptors (norepinephrine)
Promotes alertness and endurance
Constricts blood vessels
Increase heart beat
H
= theophylline
H
= theobromine
Caffeine Content of Common Products
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Drip coffee.....115 mg
Tea..................40 mg
Cocoa..............13 mg
Coca Cola........46 mg
Diet Coke.........46 mg
Dr. Pepper........40 mg
Mr. Pibb............41 mg
Mt. Dew............54 mg
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Pepsi...............38 mg
Surge...............51 mg
Jolt Cola...........71 mg
Excedrin...........65 mg
Anacin..............32 mg
NoDoz............100 mg
Vivarin............200 mg
Midol...............60 mg