Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Tropane Alkaloids in Mammalian Samples: Techniques and Applications

Tropane alkaloids (TA) are bioactive small molecules containing an esterified bicyclic tropane moiety. TA represent natural plant poisons and (semi)synthetic drugs, most of them (e.g. atropine, benzatropine, N-butyl scopolamine, cimetropium, homatropine, ipratropium, N-methyl scopolamine, scopolamine, tiotropium, trospium) antagonizing acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors (MR) and some of them (e.g. bemesetron, granisetron, scopolamine, tropisetron) antagonizing serotonin at the 5-HT3 receptor (5-HT3R). Therapeutic effects on MR include mydriasis, spasmolysis of the gastrointestinal tract, overactive bladder and of the respiratory system. Due to their binding to the 5-HT3R, TA are used as antiemetic to treat vomiting and nausea. In addition, a few TA interact with α1-adrenoreceptors thus being used to improve blood flow for the treatment of septic shock (e.g. anisodamine, anisodine). Furthermore, ingestion of plants containing natural TA such as hyoscyamine and scopolamine may cause fatal intoxications.