Opium alkaloids, biosynthesis, pharmacology and association with cancer occurrence

Abstract

Papaver somniferum L. (Family: Papaveraceae) is a species well known for its diverse alkaloids (100 different benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs)). L-tyrosine serves as a precursor of several specific metabolites like BIAs. It has been used as an antitussive and potent analgesic to alleviate mild to extreme pain since ancient times. The extraction of pharmaceutically important alkaloids like morphine and codeine from poppy plant reflects the need for the most suitable and standard methods. Several analytical and extraction techniques have been reported in open literature for morphine, codeine and other important alkaloids which play a vital function in drug development and drug discovery. Many studies suggest that opioids are also responsible for adverse effects or secondary complications like dependence and withdrawal. In recent years, opium consumption and addiction are the most important risk factors. Many evidence-based reviews suggest that opium consumption is directly linked or acts as a risk factor for different cancers. In this review, we highlight significant efforts related to research which have been done over the past 5 decades and the complete information on Papaver somniferum including its phytochemistry, pharmacological actions, biosynthetic pathways and analytical techniques of opium alkaloid extraction and the link between opium consumption and cancer-related updates.

Mapping Natural Product Biosynthetic Hotspots: Prioritizing Conservation for Medicinal Resources

“…These groups were selected due to their high pharmacological significance and distinctive biosynthetic pathways. 22,23 By focusing on well-known, specific groups of enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of two distinct NPs, we aimed to distinguish subtler details that may be overlooked when analysing aggregate enzyme markers and individual enzyme averages. We mapped the distribution patterns of these enzyme groups to determine whether their pathways exhibited biogeographical distributions that differed from those of the broader set of enzymes.…”

From Plant to Chemistry: Sources of Antinociceptive Non-Opioid Active Principles for Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design

“…The main active ingredients of Dan Shen are diterpene tanshinones and phenolic acids. There have been more than 40 tanshinones isolated from Dan Shen, among which are cryptotanshinone (13), 15,16-dihydrotanshinone I ( 14), miltirone (15), tanshinone I ( 16), and tanshinone II A (17), that possess significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic activities (Figure 12).…”

“…The main active ingredients of Dan Shen are diterpene tanshinones and phenolic acids. There have been more than 40 tanshinones isolated from Dan Shen, among which are cryptotanshinone (13), 15,16-dihydrotanshinone I ( 14), miltirone (15), tanshinone I ( 16), and tanshinone II A (17), that possess significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic activities (Figure 12). Phenolic acids with antioxidant, anticoagulant, and cell protection activities [158] include caffeic acid monomers as well as oligomers, salvianolic acids, rosmarinic acid, and lithospermic acids.…”

“…When opioids bind to opioid receptors inside the CNS signal transduction, molecular and cellular changes in the pain-signaling neurons are prevented. Opioid drugs explain their function through the mu opioid receptor (MOR), delta opioid receptor (DOR), and kappa opioid receptor (KOR), with differences in potency and selectivity [ 15 ]. The medicinal chemistry development of modified morphine derivatives as analgesics is a classic example of the structural simplification or complication of a NP that has allowed for the development of compounds—some of which are currently used in clinical practice.…”