General Introduction of Opium
Opium alkaloids are among the most ancient and widely used natural products, valued for their analgesic, antitussive, and sedative properties.
They are primarily derived from the latex of the opium poppy.
Synonyms
Common Name: Poppy alkaloids
Scientific Name: Papaver somniferum alkaloids
Other Names: Morphine, Codeine, Papaverine alkaloids
Biological Source
Plant: Extracted from the latex of the unripe capsules of Papaver somniferum (opium poppy).
Family: Papaveraceae
Composition
Alkaloid Categories:
Phenanthrene Alkaloids: Morphine, Codeine, Thebaine.
Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloids: Papaverine, Noscapine.
Over 40 different alkaloids have been identified in opium.
Chemistry & Chemical Classes
Chemical Class:
Isoquinoline alkaloids
Structure:
Morphine and Codeine are phenanthrene alkaloids (with morphine having hydroxyl groups and codeine featuring methylation, which affects lipophilicity).
Papaverine is a benzylisoquinoline derivative known for its vasodilatory activity.
Solubility:
Morphine is water-soluble, whereas codeine is more lipophilic due to the presence of a methyl group.
Therapeutic Uses
Morphine: Considered the gold standard for managing severe pain.
Codeine: Used as a mild analgesic and antitussive agent.
Papaverine: Employed as a smooth muscle relaxant for treating vasospasms and gastrointestinal spasms.
Commercial Applications
Morphine: Marketed in various formulations including tablets, injections, and controlled-release systems.
Codeine: Commonly used in cough syrups and combination analgesics.
Papaverine: Available as an injection for vasodilation and smooth muscle relaxation treatments.