Pharmaceutical applications of the benzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Argemone mexicana L.

Curr Top Med Chem

Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas, Centro de Investigacion Científica de Yucatan, Calle 43 No. 130 Chuburna 97205 Mérida Yucatán Mexico.

Published: April 2014

AI Article Synopsis

  • Argemone mexicana L. is a plant that accumulates benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIA) and has spread from the USA-Mexico border to various tropical and subtropical regions.
  • It is recognized for its diverse medicinal properties, including antimicrobial, antiparasitic, and antimalarial effects, attributed to various types of BIAs such as sanguinarine, chelerythrine, berberine, and protopine.
  • The review discusses the historical and current uses of A. mexicana, the chemical mechanisms behind its medicinal properties, and the biochemical processes involved in alkaloid synthesis.

Article Abstract

Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae), accumulates benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, (BIA) derived from tyrosine. Although it was originated in the western region of the USA-Mexico border, it has spread to tropical and subtropical areas around the world. Today, it is used to treat different ailments, given to its antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antimalarial, pesticide, cytotoxic and neurological properties. These effects are related to the presence of different types of BIA's, such as benzophenanthridines (sanguinarine, chelerythrine), protoberberines (berberine) and protopines (protopine, allocryptopine). This review covers the historical medicinal uses of A. mexicana, as well as its current applications. The chemical bases of such effects are discussed in relation to the occurrence of the different types of alkaloids. The biochemical process involved in the synthesis of these types of alkaloids is also described.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/15680266113139990152DOI Listing

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