Opioids: Difference between revisions
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== Chemistry == | == Chemistry == | ||
Some opioids are alkaloids and some are peptides. The common structural features are an aromatic ring and a nitrogen atom that is charged at neutral pH. Alkaloids (such as morphine) contain multiple fused rings, leading to a T-shaped structure. Peptides (such as enkephalin) carry a positively charged nitrogen atom at their amino terminus, and an aromatic ring as one of the amino acid side chains. | Some opioids are alkaloids and some are peptides. The common structural features are an aromatic ring and a nitrogen atom that is charged at neutral pH. Alkaloids (such as morphine) contain multiple fused rings, leading to a T-shaped structure.[[Image:Morphine.png|thumb|The opiate morphine is a T-shaped molecule containing an aromatic ring (top) and a nitrogen (bottom left in blue, shown in the deprotonated uncharged state)]] Peptides (such as enkephalin) carry a positively charged nitrogen atom at their amino terminus, and an aromatic ring as one of the amino acid side chains. | ||
== Pharmacology == | == Pharmacology == | ||
