PURINES

PURINE: Chemically, purine is a bicyclic heterocycle in which imidazole ring at 4 and 5 positions, is
fused with‘d’ bond of pyrimidine.

Its chemical name is imidazolo (4, 5-d) pyrimidine.

URIC ACID: uric acid formulae is C5H4N4O3

Uric acid is an organic compound of C, N, O and H.

Uric acid is present in human blood, small quantities deposited in kidney,

a. GOUT: Excess serum accumulation of uric acid can lead to a type of arthritis known as gout.
Elevated level can result from high intake of purine-rich foods. High-fructose intake and
impaired excretion by the kidneys. Saturation levels of uric acid in blood may result in one form
of kidney stones when the urate crystallizes in the kidney. Some patients with gout eventually get
uric kidney stones. Gout can occur where serum uric acid levels are as low. But an individual can
have serum values as high and not have gout.
b. LESCH-NYHAN SYNDROME: Lesch-nyhan syndrome is also associated with very high
serum uric acid levels. Spasticity, involuntary movement and cognitive retardation as well as
manifestations of gout are seen in cases of this syndrome.
c. CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: Although uric acid can acts as an antioxidant, excess serum
accumulation is implicated in cardiovascular disease. High uric acid can cause kidney stones,
gouts in joints, and disable the body to produce purines, which build up the genetic “blueprint”.
d. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Lower serum values of uric acid have associated with multiple
sclerosis. MS patients have been found to have serum levels 194 micromoles/L, with patients in
relapse averaging 160 micromoles/L and patients in remission averaging 230 micromoles/L.
Serum uric acid in healthy control was 290 micromoles/L. a 1998 study completed a statistical
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 analysis of 20 million patient records, comparing serum uric acid values in patients with gout and
patients with multiple sclerosis. Almost no overlap between the groups was found. Uric acid has
been successfully used in the treatment and prevention of the animal model of MS. A 2006 study
found that elevation of serum uric acid values in multiple sclerosis patients, by oral
supplementation with inosine, resulted in lower relapse rates, and no adverse effects.
e. OXIDATIVE STRESS: Uric acid may be a marker of oxidative stress, and may have a potential
therapeutic role as an antioxidant. On the other hand, like other strong reducing substances such
as ascorbate, uric acid can also act as a peroxidant, particularly at elevated levels. Thus, it is
unclear whether elevated levels of uric acid in diseases associated with oxidative such as stroke
and atherosclerosis are a protective response or a primary cause.
f. Hyperuricemia induced oxidative stress is a cause of metabolic syndrome. Plasma uric acid
levels correlate with longevity in primates’ and other mammals. This is presumably a function of
urate’s antioxidant properties.

XANTHINES: Xanthine formulae is C5H5N4O2

Xanthine is 2, 6-dihydroxypurine (Latinm form).

CAFFEINE: Caffeine is a xanthine derivative and contains purine heterocycle. Caffeine is important
constituent of tea leaves, cola nuts, cocoa beans and some other beverages. Caffeine present in these
beverages has stimulating action on the nerves and heart and due to this, it is used in medicine. 10 grams
of coffee or tea generally contains 1 gram of caffeine.

Caffeine contains 3 methyl groups at 1, 3 and 7 positions of xanthine.

Thus it is 1, 3, 7-trimethyl xanthine.
formulae is C8H11N4O2

It occurs as white or colourless crystalline powder or silky white crystals. Caffeine is poisonous and
bitter in taste. It is sparingly soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol. It is acts as a base and is
able to for salts with strong acids which decomposed by water.
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CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:
1. When its solution is treated with few drops of saturated tannic acid solution, a precipitate is
produced which dissolves in excess of the reagent.
2. When few drops pf iodine solution is added to its solution, a clear solution is obtained which on
acidifying with dil.HCl gives brown precipitate.
3. it is a very weak base and hence it is decomposed by strong alkali and it does not form stable salt
even with strong acid. The salts are hydrolyzed by water. The solubility of caffeine in water is
increased by presence of organic acids or their salts e.g. citrates, benzoates, salicylates etc. hence
its several pharmaceutical preparations contain organic acids or their salts, e.g. caffeine citrate
(1:1 mixture of caffeine and anhydrous citric acid.).

USES:
a. It is C.N.S. stimulant and hence it is used.
1. to produce a state of wakefulness
2. to enhance mental activity
3. to get relief from fatigue and mild depression
4. to cause insomnia in moderate doses.
b. It has weak diuretic activity.
c. In combination with ergotamine, it is used to get relief from migraine.
d. It is generally given in combination with aspirin or codeine for analgesic activity.
e. It also stimulates respiratory centre.
Caffeine is as a diuretic and a heart and nerve stimulant in the form of the citrate and HCl. It is to be
rembered that the excess use of caffeine is quite harmful to digestion.

THEOBROMINE
Theobromine occurs in coca beans up to the extent of 1.5 to 2.5%. And it also occurs in tea.
Theobromine is an isomer of theophylline as well as paraxanthine. Theobromine is categorized as a
dimethyl xanthine, which means it is a xanthine with 2 methyl groups. Theobromine was first isolated
from the seeds of coca tree in 1878 and then shortly afterwards was synthesized from xanthine by H.E.
Fischer.
Theobromine is also contains xanthine structure, it is a bitter alkaloid of coca plant. It is methyl xantine
class of chemical compound. Theobromine the compound contains no bromine; Theobromine is derived
from theobroma, the name of genus of the cocoa tree. Theobromine derives its name from Greek work,
Theo’s means God, Broma means Food. Theobromine meaning is “food of gods”.
Theobromine is a water soluble compound; it is crystalline bitter colourless power.
Chemical formulae is .. C7H9N4O2

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PHARMACEUTICAL IMPORTANCE:
1. HUMANS: Diagram of bronchus. The loosening of the muscles in the bronchus caused by
Theobromine helps alleviate the symptoms of asthma. As it is a myocardial stimulant as well as a
vasodilator, it increases heartbeat, yet it also dilates blood vessels, causing a reduced blood
pressure. Furthermore, its draining effect allows it to be used to treat cardiac failure, which can
be caused by an excessive accumulation of fluid. There is a possible association between
Theobromine and an increased risk of suffering from prostate cancer. Theobromine can cause
sleeplessness or a wakefulness or insomnia, tremors, restlessness, anxiety, as well as contribute
to increased production of urine. Additional side effects include loss of appetite, nausea, and
vomiting.
2. ANIMALS: The amount of Theobromine found in chocolate is small enough that it can be
safely consumed by humans, but animals that metabolize Theobromine more slowly, such as
dogs, Theobromine poisoning from as little as 50 grams of chocolate for a smaller dog and 400
grams for an average-sized dog. Complications include digestive issues, dehydration,
excitability, and a slow heart rate. Later stages of Theobromine poisoning include epileptic like
seizures and death. If caught early on, Theobromine poisoning is treatable.
3. Theobromine is known to induce gene mutation in lower eukaryotes and bacteria. At the time of
a 1997 report by the IARC, genetic mutation had not been found in higher eukaryotes, such as
humans.
USES: In medicine, it is generally used as a diuretic in the form of its double compound with
sodium salicylate under the trade name diuretin. It is also used as cardiac stimulant and remedy for
dropsy.
Theobromine has been used in birth defect experiments involving mice and rabbits. A decreased fetal
weight was noted in rabbits following forced feeding, but not after other administration of
Theobromine. Birth defects were not seen in rats.

THEOPHYLLINE: It is an alkaloid; it is 1, 3-dimethyl xanthine. It is isomeric with Theobromine.

It is a white crystalline power. It is odourless and has a bitter taste.
It is slightly soluble in water but soluble in solution of alkali hydroxide.
Theophylline, also known as Dimethyl xanthine it is a methylated xanthine drug.
Chemical formulae is .. C7H9N4O2

Theophylline is mainly used in therapy for RT (Respiratory track) diseases such as asthma or chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. Theophylline gives so many side-effects. It is also xantine structured
compound. Its pharmacology same as caffeine’s pharmacology. Theophylline is naturally found in
tea.

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a. Relaxing of bronchial smooth muscle.
b. Positive inotropic increasing heart muscle contractility and efficiency.
c. Positive chronotropic increasing heart rate.
d. Increase of the blood pressure.
e. Some anti-inflammatory effects.
f. Chronic obstructive diseases of the airways.
g. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
h. Bronchial asthma.
USES:It is potent bronchodilator. Hence it is used
a. to control acute and chronic asthma
b. to treat chronic obstructive lung diseases
c. To control acute bronchospasm.
It is also diuretic action more than caffeine.
It has a slight stimulant action on the cerebrum.
It is used as respiratory stimulant in neonatal apnoea (cessation of breathing).
It is also cardiac stimulant and is used to treat left ventricular failure. Theophylline suppositories are
preferred to tablet forms because
a. Orally it may cause gastric irritation, nausea and vomiting.
b. It is more readily absorbed rectally. Sometimes choline theophylline is used to prevent
gastric irritation.