Alkaloids. Chemical and Biological Perspectives

Alkaloids are a large class of biologically active chemical compounds. They are extremely important as drugs and toxins. The great majority come from plants of tropical origin. The discovery and analysis of new alkaloids is thus threatened by the destruction of tropical forests. This volume provides reviews of the chemistry and biology of alkaloids, and features chapters on the synthesis, structural elucidation, pharmacology and taxonomy of alkaloids. The articles have considerable interdisciplinary appeal, reflecting the fact that alkaloids are studied by researchers in fields as diverse as natural products chemistry, pharmacology, biochemistry, plant taxonomy, and forensic sciences.