AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -9.2. 1 Alkaloids as Anti-Pathogens. Plants accumulate antimicrobial secondary metabolites to protect themselves. Some of these metabolites are constitutive chemical barriers to microbial attack (phytoanticipins) and (phytoalexins) as inducible antimicrobials (González-Lamothe et al.

Detailed explanation-2: -In plants, alkaloids protect plants from predators and regulate their growth [14]. Therapeutically, alkaloids are particularly well known as anaesthetics, cardioprotective, and anti-inflammatory agents. Well-known alkaloids used in clinical settings include morphine, strychnine, quinine, ephedrine, and nicotine [15].

Detailed explanation-3: -For a long time, it has generally been accepted that alkaloids are end products of metabolism and are waste products of the plant.

Detailed explanation-4: -The alkaloids prevent the decline of antioxidant status which in turn decreases LPO levels by preventing MDA formation in erythrocytes. The results confirm the protective effect of alkaloids against free radical induced oxidative damage in human erythrocytes.