Atropine: Difference between revisions

Atropine is an alkaloid drug derived from levohyscocyamine, a plant compound found in the family Solanaceae<ref> Atropine. Encyclopedia Brittanica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/42015/atropine</ref>. It's chemical name is 8-methyl-8-azabicycolo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl) 3-hydroxy-2-phenylpropanoate, and the most common medicinal form of atropine is atrophine sulfate ((C17H23NO3)2·H2SO4·H2O)<ref> Atropine. New World Encyclopedia. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Atropine </ref>. It is a competitive inhibitor of both acetylcholine and phospholipase 2 and has a variety of effects on both humans and animals. Although it is poisonous, in the correct dosages it has a wide variety of medical uses in both human and veterinary medicine, and can be given orally, through IV fluids, or rectally. Atropine can be seen in complex with phospholipase 2A on the right. The <scene name='Sandbox_53/side-chain residues/1'>side-chain residues</scene> of phospholipase A in the active site can be seen when zooming in on the protein to the right.  

Atropine is part of the tropane group alkaloid family, which includes other substances such as cocaine. Atropine binds to acetylcholine receptors, blocking the action of acetylcholine and therefore suppressing the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system<ref> Atropine. New World Encyclopedia. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Atropine </ref>. In humans, it is metabolized approximately 50%, hydrolyzed to tropine and toropic acid, and the remaining unchanged drug is excreted in the urine<ref> Atropine. New World Encyclopedia. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Atropine </ref>.