Fixed alkaloid is a term used in chemistry and pharmacology to refer to an alkaloid that cannot be vaporized or distilled without decomposition. The word "fixed" here means "not easily volatilized" or "stable". The phonetic transcription of "fixed alkaloid" is /ˈfɪkst ˈælkəlɔɪd/. The stressed syllable is "fix", which is pronounced with the vowel /ɪ/ as in "sit". The second syllable is pronounced with the schwa vowel /ə/. The word "alkaloid" is pronounced with stress on the second syllable /ˈælkəlɔɪd/.
Fixed alkaloids refer to a group of naturally occurring compounds characterized by their alkaline properties and chemical stability. These alkaloids are derived from plants and are known for their pharmacological activities and therapeutic effects.
The term "fixed" in fixed alkaloid implies that these compounds are relatively stable and do not readily undergo decomposition or alteration under typical conditions. This stability is attributed to their chemical structure and the presence of functional groups, such as amines, that contribute to their alkaline nature.
Fixed alkaloids are found in various plant families, including but not limited to, Solanaceae, Papaveraceae, and Rubiaceae. Examples of well-known fixed alkaloids include caffeine, morphine, quinine, and nicotine. Each of these alkaloids has distinct physiological effects on the human body, such as stimulant or analgesic properties, and can be isolated and utilized for medicinal purposes.
Fixed alkaloids often have numerous applications in medicine, including pain relief, treatment of infectious diseases, and as central nervous system stimulants or suppressants. They are commonly used as active ingredients in pharmaceutical drugs to target specific biochemical pathways or receptors in the body. Additionally, fixed alkaloids have contributed significantly to the development of modern medicine through their diverse biological activities, serving as starting points for the synthesis of new drug compounds.
In summary, fixed alkaloids are stable alkaline compounds derived from plants that possess pharmacological properties and have a wide range of medicinal applications.
A solid, usually crystalline a., containing the elements C, H, N, and O, and not volatile.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "fixed alkaloid" does not have a specific etymology, as it is a combination of two separate terms: "fixed" and "alkaloid".
The word "fixed" comes from the Latin word "fixus", which means "fastened" or "attached". In chemistry, the term "fixed" refers to a substance that is in a stable or non-volatile state.
The word "alkaloid" comes from the word "alkali", which originally referred to a class of substances that could neutralize acids. Later, it was discovered that certain organic compounds found in plants, such as caffeine and morphine, had alkaline properties and were therefore called alkaloids.
When combined, the term "fixed alkaloid" generally refers to an alkaloid compound that is relatively stable and non-volatile.