Introduction Atropine is a naturally occurring anticholinergic agent extracted from various plants of the Solanaceae family, most notably Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade). Renowned for blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, atropine exerts a range of physiological effects on the autonomic nervous system, thereby influencing everything from digestion and secretion to heart rate and ocular function. Because it … Read more
Introduction Atropine—the prototypical naturally occurring belladonna alkaloid—has been used in medicine for well over a century. Extracted chiefly from Atropa belladonna (deadly night-shade), it remains indispensable in anesthesia, cardiology, ophthalmology, toxicology, and emergency medicine. Because it blocks muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors, atropine exemplifies the class of competitive antimuscarinic (parasympatholytic) agents. 1. Historical and Chemical Background 1.1 Botanical … Read more
Introduction Organophosphorus (OP) compounds, a broad class of chemicals primarily used as pesticides (insecticides) and, less ethically, as chemical warfare agents (nerve gases), pose a significant challenge in both developed and developing nations (Katzung, 2020). Poisoning from OP agents remains a leading cause of acute morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in rural settings where pesticides are extensively deployed in … Read more
Introduction Parasympatholytics, also known as anticholinergics, are a class of drugs that inhibit the actions of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine on parasympathetic nerve endings. These drugs can be classified based on their mode of action and target sites. This article will delve into the classification of parasympatholytics, individual drug pharmacological actions, clinical uses, adverse effects, atropine … Read more