Steroids and Alkaloids
Steroids and Alkaloids
Steroids are a group of cyclical organic compounds which have a distinct arrangement of seventeen carbon atoms in a four ring structure linked together from three 6-carbon rings followed by a 5-carbon ring and a side chain comprising eight carbons. Many steroids are necessary for life processes, these include cholesterol, sex hormones, and bile acids. Anabolic steroids are used after a serious injury. Corticosteroids are used to treat pain conditions and autoimmunity. Some of the corticosteroids are often used after laser-based refractive surgery, and for the treatment of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, the cornea, and the anterior segment of the eye.
Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds called natural products that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. Alkaloids are classified as true alkaloids, protoalkaloids, polyamine alkaloids, peptide and cyclopeptide alkaloids, and pseudalkaloids. Alkaloids often have pharmacological effects and can be used as medications or recreational drugs. Alkaloids are used as local anesthetic, stimulant, anticancer, psychedelic, analgesic, antibacterial, antiasthma, antihypertensive, pain killer, anticholinergic, vasodilator, antiarrhythmia, cholinomimetic, antimalarial and psychoactive drugs.
