STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION AND ROLE OF PLANT DERIVED

ALKALOIDS AND PSYCHOTROPICS AND THEIR MECHANISM IN THE

MANAGEMENT CARE THERAPY OF NEURO-DEGENERATIVE STUDY

Name of the Applicant: Mr. SHARATH KM

• Official Address: #2-95/8, “SAKSHATHKARA”, Govt. College 3rd cross road, Shankaranagara,
Gandhinagar, Kavoor, Kunjathbail Post, Mangalore, Karnataka. PIN: 575015
• Permanent Address: #2-95/8, “SAKSHATHKARA”, Govt. College 3rd cross road,
Shankaranagara, Gandhinagar, Kavoor, Kunjathbail Post, Mangalore, Karnataka. PIN: 575015

• Subject in which the topic is proposed: Neuro-medicine and Tissue Regenerative therapy
study with the pharmacological effective study of plant alkaloids and psychotropics in patients
(Elderly aged) with degenerative neuro disorders.

• Proposed Title of the Research: Structural Elucidation and Role of Plant derived Alkaloids
and Psychotropics and their mechanism of action in the management care therapy of Neuro-
Degenerative Disorders.

Introduction/ Background:

The Neuro-degenerative Diseases are conventionally demarcated as disorders with selected loss of
neurons. Conventional as well as newer molecules have been tested but they offer just symptomatic
advantages along with abundant side effects. The discovery of more compelling molecules that can halt
the pathology of these diseases will be considered as a miracle of the presenting time. Several Synthetic
compounds are available but they may cause several other health issues.
Thus, the natural molecules from plants are being in discovery to replace the available medicines and
improve the effective rate of outcomes.
• Neuro- Degenerative Disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and
Huntington’s Disease, pose significant changes to the patients and healthcare providers alike due
to their complex etiology and progressive nature.

• In the recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring natural compounds, especially
plant derived alkaloids and psychotropics, for their potential therapeutic effects in managing these
disorders. This methodology interests the stems from the diverse pharmacological properties
exhibited by these compounds, ranging from antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities to the
modulation of the Neuro-Transmitter Systems.
 STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION AND ROLE OF PLANT DERIVED
ALKALOIDS AND PSYCHOTROPICS AND THEIR MECHANISM IN THE
MANAGEMENT CARE THERAPY OF NEURO-DEGENERATIVE STUDY

• Emerging evidences suggest that the psychotropic/ psychedelic drugs may exert some of their
long-lasting therapeutic effects by inducing structural and functional Neural plasticity.

• Henceforth, basic and clinical research attempting to elucidate the mechanisms of these
compounds is thus showcased for the following research study.

• Proposed Aim of Study:

Structural Elucidation, Role of mechanism and medicinal utilisation methodology of Plant
Derived Alkaloids and Psychotropics in the management care therapy of patients with Neuro-
Degenerative Disorders.

• Proposed Research Methodology: Topics covered include psychedelic receptor binding

sites, effects of psychedelics on gene expression, and on dendrites, and psychedelic effects on
microcircuitry and brain-wide circuits.
1. Phytochemicals can also be identified as a common source of medicinal plants that cure the
human body from a number of diseases.
2. The potential efficacy of plant-derived alkaloids, which possesses potential therapeutic
effects against NDD’s (Neuro-Degenerative Disorder) including Alzheimer’s disease (AD),
Huntington’s disease (HD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Epilepsy, Schizophrenia and Stroke.
3. Alkaloids constitute positive roles in ameliorating pathology of these illnesses by functioning
as a muscarinic and adenosine receptor antagonist, Anti-oxidant, Anti-amyloid and MAO
Inhibitors, Acetylcholinesterase, and butyryl cholinesterase inhibitor, Inhibitor of α-synuclein
aggregation, dopaminergic and nicotine agonist and NMDA antagonist.

• Objective of study:
Neuro-degenerative diseases are the disorders of the nervous system and are
conventionally demarcated as a selective loss of neurons. This happens particularly due to the
changes observed in the physiochemical properties of the proteins which are altered in the brain
as the person ages, leading to neuronal degeneration.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDD’s) are cureless till date and are significantly increasing the
mortality and morbidity rate in the developed and developing countries in the recent years.
Neuropsychiatric and Neurological disorders like Schizophrenia, Depression, Anxiety,
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Huntington’s Disease (HD), Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Cerebrovascular Impairment, Seizure disorder and Head Injuries are the
major health issues along with other systemic disorders like Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Renal-
Gastrointestinal disorders.
Remedies against the Neuro-degenerative Disorders are solely based on the management care
therapy of these diseases but the actual treatment is yet to be on the site of medical exploration.
 STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION AND ROLE OF PLANT DERIVED
ALKALOIDS AND PSYCHOTROPICS AND THEIR MECHANISM IN THE
MANAGEMENT CARE THERAPY OF NEURO-DEGENERATIVE STUDY

Study Hypothesis:

Structural elucidation of Plant Derived Alkaloids and Psychotropics.

1. Alkaloids: Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that mostly
contain nitrogen atoms. These compounds are found in various plant species and exhibit a
wide range of psychological effects on humans.
Examples: A). Morphine from the Opium poppy.
B). Quinine from Cinchona Tree.
C). Caffeine from Coffee beans.

The structural elucidation of the alkaloids involves techniques such as Spectroscopy,

Chromatography and X-Ray Crystallography, which helps in determining their chemical
composition and the three-dimensional arrangement of the atoms.

2. Psychotropics: Psychotropics are substances that affect’s a person mental state, altering
perception, mood, consciousness, cognition or behaviour. Many psychotropic compounds are
derived from the plants and fungi.
Examples include: Psilocybin from certain mushrooms and cannabinoids from cannabis
plants.
The structural elucidation of these psychotropics is crucial for understanding their
interactions with the neural receptors and the pathways in brain.

Role of Plant-derived Alkaloids and Psychotropics in Neuro-degenerative disorders:

1. Neuroprotective effects: Certain Alkaloids, such as those found in “Huperzia serrata”, have been
studied for their neuroprotective effects. They may help in preserving neuronal structural and
function, potentially slowing down the progression of the neurodegenerative diseases.

2. Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant properties: Alkaloids and psychotropics often possess anti-
inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are key
factors in neuro-degenerative disorders. Compounds like curcumin (from turmeric) and
resveratrol (from grapes) have shown promises in mitigating these processes.

3. Modulations of Neurotransmitter Symptoms: Psychotropics compounds can modulate

neurotransmitter system. For, instance, cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system,
which plays a role in regulating various physiological processes, including neuronal function.
 STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION AND ROLE OF PLANT DERIVED
ALKALOIDS AND PSYCHOTROPICS AND THEIR MECHANISM IN THE
MANAGEMENT CARE THERAPY OF NEURO-DEGENERATIVE STUDY

Modulation of the neuro transmitter systems can help manage symptoms related to mood,
cognition and motor function in neuro degenerative disorders.

4. Enhancement of Neuroplasticity: Compounds like psilocybin have been studied for their ability to
enhance neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to recognize itself and form new neural connections.
This property could be valuable in the context of neuro-degenerative where the neuronal
connections are compromised.

5. Symptomatic relief: Some psychotropic compounds, particularly cannabinoids, have been found
to alleviate symptoms such as pain, insomnia and muscle spasticity in patients with
neurodegenerative disorders, improving their quality of life.

Novelty and Social relevance of the work:

The relevance of this research work into the structural elucidation and therapeutic potential of the plant-
derived alkaloids and psychotropics represents a promising avenue in the management care of neuro-
degenerative disorders.
However, it is essential to conduct rigorous scientific studies to understand their mechanism of action,
optimal dosages and potential side effects.
Integration and researching the traditional knowledge with the modern scientific methods can make the
pavement for innovative and effective treatments for these challenging conditions.

Methodology of the Structural Elucidation of Plant derived Alkaloids and Psychotropics:

The structural elucidation of the plant-derived alkaloids and psychotropics is a complex process that
involves a combination of sophisticated techniques to determine the chemical structure and composition
of these compounds.

General Principles of methodology used for structural elucidation.

1. Isolation of the Compounds:

A). Extraction: Alkaloids and Psychotropics are extracted from the medicinal from the plant
materials using appropriate solvents, isolating them from the other compounds.

B). Purification: Techniques like chromatography are used to separate the extracted mixture into
individual compounds, ensuring pure samples for analysis.

2. Spectroscopic Techniques:

A). Mass Spectroscopy (MS): Mass Spectroscopy measures the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions,
providing information about the compounds molecular weight and the fragmentation patterns.
 STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION AND ROLE OF PLANT DERIVED
ALKALOIDS AND PSYCHOTROPICS AND THEIR MECHANISM IN THE
MANAGEMENT CARE THERAPY OF NEURO-DEGENERATIVE STUDY

B). Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy: NMR provides the detailed
information about the compounds molecular structure, including connectivity of atoms, functional
groups and Spatial Arrangements.

C). Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy: IR Spectroscopy is used to identify the functional groups
present in the compound based on their characteristic vibrations.

3. X-Ray Crystallography:

A). Crystallization: If the compound can be crystallized, X-Ray Crystallography determines the
three-dimensional arrangement od atoms in the crystal lattice, providing a highly detailed
molecular structure.

4. Chromatographic techniques:

A). High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): HPLC separates and quantifies
individual compounds in a mixture based on their chemical properties, aiding the identification
and quantification of alkaloids and psychotropics.

B). Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GS-MS): GC separates the compound based
on the volatility, and coupled with Mass Spectrometry to help identify the compounds with the
mass spectra.

5. Elemental Analysis: Elemental Analysis Technique determines the elemental composition of the
compound, aiding in confirming its identity.

6. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) study:

A). 2D NMR Experiments: Advanced NMR Techniques such as “COSY” (Correlation

Spectroscopy) and “HSQC” (Heteronuclear Single Quantum Coherence), provided detailed
connectivity information in complex molecules.

7. Computational Methods:

A). Molecular Modelling: Computational Methods are used to stimulate the compounds’
structure, confirming experimental results and predicting properties that can be compared with
the experimental data.
 STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION AND ROLE OF PLANT DERIVED
ALKALOIDS AND PSYCHOTROPICS AND THEIR MECHANISM IN THE
MANAGEMENT CARE THERAPY OF NEURO-DEGENERATIVE STUDY

8. Literature Comparison:

A). Comparative Analysis: Comparing the obtained data with existing literature and databases
aids in confirming the identity of the compound and its known properties.

9. Validations:

A). Repeat Experiments: Results are validated through the repetition of experiments to ensure
accuracy and reproducibility.

B). Peer Review: Scientific things and methodologies are subjected to peer review within the
scientific community to validate the results.

Employing these techniques and methods, the researchers can accurately determine the structures
of the plant-derived alkaloids and psychotropics, enabling a deeper understanding of their
properties and potential application in the field of medicine and pharmacology.

• Proposed Timeline of the Study:

The following clinical research proposal will need a strict methodological study pattern and a
strong experimental base to conclude the following research as per the following work flow:

A). Synopsis Presentation: 1 month duration

B). Samples / Data Collection: 3 months duration
C). Methodological Study: 5 Months duration
D). Research Analysis & Review: 6 months duration
E). Study Conclusion with Results: 3 months duration

Total Proposed Timeline of Study: 18 – 20 Months duration

• Clearance Certificate, Health & Safety Requirements:

The process of structural elucidation of plant-derived alkaloids and psychotropics involves

various steps, and while specific requirements may vary based on the country and organization,
there are some common clearance certificates and ethical approvals that researchers typically
need to obtain. Here is a list of clearance certificates and approvals commonly required for
conducting research on plant-derived alkaloids and psychotropics:
 STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION AND ROLE OF PLANT DERIVED
ALKALOIDS AND PSYCHOTROPICS AND THEIR MECHANISM IN THE
MANAGEMENT CARE THERAPY OF NEURO-DEGENERATIVE STUDY

1. Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval:

Researchers need approval from the IRB, an ethics committee, ensuring that the research
involving human subjects complies with ethical standards and guidelines.

2. Animal Ethics Committee Approval:

If animal studies are involved, approval from an animal ethics committee ensures that the
research is conducted ethically and adheres to animal welfare standards.

3. Plant Collection and Use Permits:

Researchers often need permits to collect plant samples, especially if they are from protected or
endangered species. Permits ensure compliance with conservation laws.

4. Laboratory Biosafety Clearance:

For working with biological materials, researchers need clearance certificates ensuring that the
laboratory facilities meet biosafety standards to prevent accidents and contamination.

5. Chemical Safety Clearance:

Clearance ensuring safe handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals used in the research,
promoting lab safety and environmental protection.

6. Ethical Clearance for Human Studies:

For studies involving human participants, ethical clearance ensures that the research respects
participants' rights, privacy, and well-being.

7. Export and Import Licenses:

If samples are transported across international borders, researchers need appropriate licenses to
export from the source country and import into the destination country legally.

8. Data Protection and Privacy Clearances:

Ensures that any data collected and stored adhere to data protection laws and participants' privacy
rights.

9. Collaborative Research Agreements:

Legal agreements outlining collaborations between different institutions or researchers, defining
roles, responsibilities, and intellectual property rights.

10. Funding Agency Clearances:

Compliance with requirements and reporting standards set by the funding agency providing
financial support for the research.

11. Publication Ethics:

Adherence to publication ethics and guidelines, ensuring that research findings are reported
accurately and honestly in scientific publications.

12. International Collaboration Clearances: Clearances specific to international collaborations,

ensuring that the research complies with the laws and regulations of all collaborating countries.
 STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION AND ROLE OF PLANT DERIVED
ALKALOIDS AND PSYCHOTROPICS AND THEIR MECHANISM IN THE
MANAGEMENT CARE THERAPY OF NEURO-DEGENERATIVE STUDY

The Research staff should consult local, national, and international guidelines and regulations
specific to their research area to ensure they have obtained all necessary clearances and approvals
before conducting studies on plant-derived alkaloids and psychotropics.

• Probable Requirements:
The structural elucidation of plant-derived alkaloids and psychotropics is a meticulous process
that involves several essential requirements. Researchers typically need access to advanced
laboratory facilities, specialized equipment, and expert knowledge in the fields of chemistry and
spectroscopy. Here are the probable requirements for the structural elucidation of these
compounds:

1. Pure Sample of the Compound:

A purified sample of the plant-derived compound is fundamental for any structural elucidation
process. Impurities can interfere with analyses.

2. Laboratory Facilities:
Well-equipped laboratories with proper safety measures are necessary for handling and analysing
chemical compounds safely.

3. Spectroscopic Techniques:
Access to various spectroscopic techniques like NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), IR
(Infrared Spectroscopy), and Mass Spectrometry for analysing the compound's structure and
composition.

4. Chromatographic Methods:
Chromatographic methods such as HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) and GC
(Gas Chromatography) are vital for separating and purifying compounds for analysis.

5. Mass Spectrometry (MS):

High-resolution Mass Spectrometry allows for accurate determination of the compound's
molecular weight and fragmentation patterns.

6. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy:

1D and 2D NMR techniques provide detailed information about the connectivity of atoms in the
compound.

7. Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy:

IR spectroscopy is used to identify functional groups present in the compound.

8. X-ray Crystallography (if applicable):

For compounds that can be crystallized, X-ray crystallography provides precise details about the
three-dimensional arrangement of atoms.
 STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION AND ROLE OF PLANT DERIVED
ALKALOIDS AND PSYCHOTROPICS AND THEIR MECHANISM IN THE
MANAGEMENT CARE THERAPY OF NEURO-DEGENERATIVE STUDY

9. Computational Tools:
Molecular modelling software aids in simulating and predicting the compound's structure,
validating experimental data.

10. Experienced Researchers:

Skilled researchers with expertise in organic chemistry, spectroscopy, and structural analysis are
essential for interpreting complex data accurately.

11. Reference Compounds and Databases:

Access to reference compounds and databases helps in comparing experimental data, confirming
compound identity.

12. Data Analysis Software:

Specialized software for processing and analysing spectroscopic data, ensuring accurate
interpretation of results.

13. Safety Protocols and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

Strict adherence to safety protocols and the use of appropriate PPE to ensure the safety of
researchers working with chemical compounds.

14. Ethical Approvals and Permits:

Ethical approvals from relevant committees and permits for collecting plant samples, especially if
they are from protected areas or endangered species.

15. Funding and Resources:

Adequate funding and resources to support the research, including purchasing necessary
chemicals, reagents, and equipment.

16. Time and Patience:

Structural elucidation is a time-consuming process requiring patience and meticulous attention to
detail.
By having access to these resources and adhering to ethical and safety standards, researchers can
effectively carry out the structural elucidation of plant-derived alkaloids and psychotropics,
contributing valuable insights to the field of chemistry and pharmacology.

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