Opium and its alkaloids

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, Summer 2002 by Schiff, Paul L Jr

Europe

Opium found its way into Europe mainly as a part of various mixtures that contained numerous ingredients. Paracelsus (1493-1541), who was credited with repopularizing opium in Europe after its use had decreased greatly due to toxicity, popularized the substance as an analgesic when he introduced various preparations utilizing the name of "laudanum" (laudare (L) - to praise). Thomas Sydenham ("the English Hippocrates")(1624-1689) introduced opium into Britain and popularized tincture of laudanum as being useful in the treatment of plague. However, since he is reported to have fled London (along with most other physicians in the city) during the Great Plague of 1665, his knowledge was likely acquired from the apothecaries who remained in London during the epidemic. Thomas Dover, who was a pupil of Sydenham, invented Dover's Powder (opium, ipecac, licorice, and saltpeter). Dover was also a one-time pirate and rescuer of Alexander Selkirk, the latter being Daniel DeFoe's model for Robinson Crusoe. Dover retired in 1718 as a wealthy buccaneer and became a successful physician at the age of 40. The effect of opium on the works of De Quincey, Poe, and Coleridge later became overtly apparent(1,3,4,6,7).

OPIUM

Opium Production

As a means of controlling opium production, the International Opium Commission was founded in 1909, and by 1914 thirty-four nations concurred in their belief that opium production and importation should be decreased. After World War I, the Commission next met in 1924, with sixty-two countries then participating. The League of Nations subsequently assumed this role, and all signatory countries agreed to pass laws and regulations to limit the import, sale, distribution, export and use of all narcotic drugs to medical and scientific purposes. Presently, the cultivation of the opium poppy is internationally regulated by the International Narcotics Control Board of the United Nations, with India being the only country that is significantly involved in opium production to meet world demands. Although opium is produced in China and North Korea, this is reputed to be for exclusive domestic medical use(6,7,9).

Opium Poppy

The opium poppy is an annual herb with an erect stem, having a solitary flower that is white, red, or purplish, depending on the cultivar. All parts of the plant exude a white latex on incision. The taxonomy of the genus Papaver is quite complex, with approximately 100 species being found in 9-12 sections. The use of subspecies (ssp.) and varieties (var.) occur in this nomenclature, but because of the cultivation of the opium poppy for such a long period of time, there is considerable morphological variation. In short, the taxonomy of the genus is quite complicated and unsettled(3,9) but for the sake of simplicity, the following distinctions may be helpful. The poppy that is characterized by white flowers and seeds is commonly cultivated in India, and is traditionally designated as the variety album. The poppy that is known for its purple flowers and state gray seeds ("maw seeds") is commonly cultivated in Europe for its seed, and is traditionally known as the variety nigrum. The poppy recognized for its purple flowers and purplish-black seeds is commonly cultivated in Asia Minor, and is traditionally referred to as the variety glabrum(3).