Nicotine
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(S)-3-(1-Methyl-2-pyrroli- dinyl)pyridine
Identifiers
CAS number	54-11-5
ATC code	N07BA01
PubChem	942
Chemical data
Formula	C10H14N2
Mol. mass	162. IUPAC Nomenclature is a system of naming Chemical compounds and of describing the science of Chemistry in general CAS registry numbers are unique numerical identifiers for Chemical compounds Polymers biological sequences mixtures and Alloys They are also referred to The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System is used for the classification of drugs It is controlled by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug ATC code N07 is a section of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System. PubChem is a Database of chemical Molecules The system is maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI a component A chemical formula is a way of expressing information about the Atoms that constitute a particular Chemical compound, and how the relationship between those atoms changes Carbon (kɑɹbən is a Chemical element with the symbol C and its Atomic number is 6 Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Nitrogen (ˈnaɪtɹəʤɪn is a Chemical element that has the symbol N and Atomic number 7 and Atomic weight 14 The molecular mass (abbreviated m of a substance, more commonly referred to as molecular weight and abbreviated as MW, is the Mass of one 26 g/mole
SMILES	eMolecules & PubChem
Physical data
Density	1. The density of a material is defined as its Mass per unit Volume: \rho = \frac{m}{V} Different materials usually have different 01 g/cm³
Melt. point	-79 °C (-110 °F)
Boiling point	247 °C (477 °F)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	?
Half life	2 hours
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	D(US)
Legal status	Unscheduled(AU) ?(UK)
Dependence Liability	Medium to high
Routes	Smoked (as tobacco), Insufflated (as snuff), Chewed

Nicotine is an alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants (Solanaceae), predominantly in tobacco, and in lower quantities in tomato, potato, eggplant (aubergine), and green pepper. The melting point of a solid is the temperature range at which it changes state from solid to Liquid. The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which the Vapor pressure of the liquid equals the environmental pressure surrounding the liquid In Pharmacology, bioavailability is used to describe the fraction of an administered Dose of unchanged drug that reaches the Systemic circulation, one of Drug metabolism is the Metabolism of drugs, their Biochemical modification or degradation usually through specialized enzymatic systems The biological half-life of a substance is the time it takes for a substance (drug radioactive nuclide or other to lose half of its pharmacologic physiologic or radiologic activity Excretion is the process of eliminating waste products of Metabolism and other non-useful materials The pregnancy category of a pharmaceutical agent is an assessment of the risk of fetal injury due to the pharmaceutical if it is used as directed by the mother during The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The regulation of therapeutic goods, that is drugs and therapeutic devices, varies by jurisdiction For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located In Pharmacology and Toxicology, a route Tobacco Smoking is the inhalation of smoke from burned dried or cured leaves of the Tobacco plant most often in the form of a Cigarette. Insufflation (Latin insufflatio "blowing on or into" is the practice of inhaling substances into a Body cavity. Nicotine gum is a type of Chewing gum that delivers Nicotine to the body This article is about the chemical compounds alkaloids For the Pharmaceutical company in the Republic of Macedonia see Alkaloid (company. The Solanaceae is a family of Flowering plants that contains a number of important agricultural plants as well as many toxic plants Tobacco is an Agricultural product recognized as an addictive drug processed from the fresh Leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. The tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum, syn Lycopersicon lycopersicum) is a herbaceous usually sprawling plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family The potato is a Starchy Tuberous crop Vegetable from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae The eggplant, aubergine, or brinjal ( Solanum melongena) is a plant of the family Solanaceae (also known as the nightshades "Green pepper" redirects here For green peppercorns see Black pepper. Nicotine can also be found, along with cocaine, in the leaves of the coca plant. Cocaine ( benzoylmethyl ecgonine) is a Crystalline Tropane Alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the Coca plant Not to be confused with Cocoa. Coca is a Plant in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to north-western South America Nicotine has been found to constitute approximately 0. 6 - 3. 0% of dry weight of tobacco,^[1] with biosynthesis taking place in the roots, and accumulating in the leaves. Biosynthesis is a phenomenon wherein Chemical compounds are produced from simpler Reagents Biosynthesis unlike Chemosynthesis, takes place within living ROOT is an object-oriented program and library developed by CERN. In Botany, a leaf is an above-ground Plant organ specialized for Photosynthesis. It functions as an antiherbivore chemical, being a potent neurotoxin with particular specificity to insects; therefore nicotine was widely used as an insecticide in the past, and currently nicotine derivatives such as imidacloprid continue to be widely used. Plant defense against herbivory or host-plant resistance (HPR includes a range of Adaptations evolved A neurotoxin is a Toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells ( Neurons, usually by interacting with Membrane proteins such as Ion channels Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described An insecticide is a Pesticide used against Insects in all developmental forms Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid, which is a class of neuro-active insecticides modeled after nicotine

In low concentrations (an average cigarette yields about 1 mg of absorbed nicotine), the substance acts as a stimulant in mammals and is one of the main factors responsible for the dependence-forming properties of tobacco smoking. A cigarette ( French "small Cigar " from cigar + -ette) is a product consumed through Smoking and manufactured Stimulant drugs are Drugs that temporarily increase alertness and awareness Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands Tobacco Smoking is the inhalation of smoke from burned dried or cured leaves of the Tobacco plant most often in the form of a Cigarette. According to the American Heart Association, "Nicotine addiction has historically been one of the hardest addictions to break. The American Heart Association (AHA is a Non-profit organization in the United States that fosters appropriate The term " addiction " is used in many contexts to describe an obsession compulsion or excessive Physical dependence or psychological dependence such as " The pharmacological and behavioral characteristics that determine tobacco addiction are similar to those that determine addiction to drugs such as heroin and cocaine. Heroin ( INN: diacetylmorphine, BAN: diamorphine) is a semi-synthetic opioid synthesized from Morphine, a derivative Cocaine ( benzoylmethyl ecgonine) is a Crystalline Tropane Alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the Coca plant ^[2]

Contents 1 History and name 2 Chemistry 3 Pharmacology 3.1 Pharmacokinetics 3.2 Pharmacodynamics 3.2.1 In adrenal medulla 3.2.2 In CNS 4 Dependence 5 Toxicology 6 Nicotine and oxidative stress 7 Link to circulatory disease 8 Therapeutic uses 9 See also 10 External links 11 References 12 Further reading

History and name

Nicotine is named after the tobacco plant Nicotiana tabacum, which in turn is named after Jean Nicot, French ambassador in Portugal, who sent tobacco and seeds from Brazil to Paris in 1560 and promoted their medicinal use. Nicotiana tabacum, or cultivated Tobacco, is a perennial Herbaceous plant Jean Nicot ( 1530 - May 4 1600) was a French diplomat and scholar This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city Nicotine was first isolated from the tobacco plant in 1828 by German chemists Posselt & Reimann. The year 1828 ( MDCCCXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Its chemical empirical formula was described by Melsens in 1843,^[3] and it was first synthesized by A. Use in chemistry In Chemistry, the empirical formula of a Chemical compound is a simple expression of the relative number of each type of Atom Year 1843 ( MDCCCXLIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Pictet and Crepieux in 1893. Year 1893 ( MDCCCXCIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

­For thousands of years, people have smoked or chewed the leaves of the tobacco plant, Nicotiana tabacum. Tobacco was first found and cultivated in the Americas, perhaps as early as 6000 B. C. Following the discovery and colonization of North and South America, the tobacco plant was exported widely, to continental Europe and the rest of the civilized world. Even in its early days, tobacco use was controversial. Some hailed its medicinal properties. For example, tobacco was supposed to be protective against the ravages of the Plague. As early as the 1600s, people speculated that there might be a link between diseases, like cancer, and tobacco use. Since then, modern research methods have provided evidence of this link, and public service announcements that warn of tobacco's health risks and addictive nature are seen regularly on several media.

Chemistry

Nicotine is a hygroscopic, oily liquid that is miscible with water in its base form. Hygroscopy is the ability of a substance to attract Water Molecules from the surrounding environment through either absorption or Adsorption Miscibility is a term commonly used in Chemistry that refers to the property of Liquids to mix in all proportions forming a Homogeneous Solution Water ( H2[[oxygen O]] H OH) is the most abundant Molecule on Earth 's surface composing of about 70% of the Earth's surface as In Chemistry, a base is most commonly thought of as an aqueous substance that can accept Protons This refers to the Brønsted-Lowry theory of acids and As a nitrogenous base, nicotine forms salts with acids that are usually solid and water soluble. Nitrogenous bases are Organic compounds that owe their basic properties to the Lone pair of Electrons of a Nitrogen Atom Salt is a Dietary mineral composed primarily of Sodium chloride that is essential for Animal life but toxic to most land plants In Computer science, ACID ( Atomicity Consistency Isolation Durability) is a set of properties that guarantee that Database transactions are Nicotine easily penetrates the skin. The skin is the outer covering of living tissue of an animal (or plant As shown by the physical data, free base nicotine will burn at a temperature below its boiling point, and its vapors will combust at 308K (35°C or 95°F) in air despite a low vapor pressure. Freebase or free base refers to the standalone neutral basic form of an Amine, as opposed to its water-soluble salt form. Vapor pressure (also known as equilibrium vapor pressure or saturation vapor pressure) is the Pressure of a Vapor in equilibrium Because of this, most of the nicotine is burned when a cigarette is smoked; however, enough is inhaled to provide the desired effects.

Pharmacology

Pharmacokinetics

As nicotine enters the body, it is distributed quickly through the bloodstream and can cross the blood-brain barrier. Blood is a specialized Bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's cells ��such as nutrients and oxygen—and transports Waste products The blood-brain barrier (BBB is a metabolic or cellular structure in the Central nervous system (CNS that restricts the passage of various chemical substances and microscopic On average it takes about seven seconds for the substance to reach the brain when inhaled. The brain is the center of the Nervous system in animals All Vertebrates and the majority of Invertebrates have a brain The half life of nicotine in the body is around two hours^[4]. The amount of nicotine inhaled with tobacco smoke is a fraction of the amount contained in the tobacco leaves. The amount of nicotine absorbed by the body from smoking depends on many factors, including the type of tobacco, whether the smoke is inhaled, and whether a filter is used. For chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco and snuff, which are held in the mouth between the lip and gum, or taken in the nose, the amount released into the body tends to be much greater than smoked tobacco. Chewing tobacco is a Smokeless tobacco product Chewing tobacco also contains Nicotine. Dipping tobacco, also known as American moist snuff or spit tobacco, is a form of smokeless Tobacco. Snuff is a type of smokeless Tobacco. There are several types used in different ways but traditionally it means Dry/European nasal snuff which is inhaled Nicotine is metabolized in the liver by cytochrome P450 enzymes (mostly CYP2A6, and also by CYP2B6). Metabolism is the set of Chemical reactions that occur in living Organisms in order to maintain Life. The liver is a vital organ in the human body and is present in Vertebrates and some other animals Cytochrome P450 (abbreviated CYP, P450, infrequently CYP450) is a very large and diverse superfamily of Hemoproteins found in all Domains Cytochrome P450 2A6 (abbreviated CYP2A6) is a CYP2B6 is a member of the Cytochrome P450 group of enzymes Along with CYP2A6, it is involved with metabolizing Nicotine, along with many other substances A major metabolite is cotinine. Cotinine is a Metabolite of Nicotine. The word 'cotinine' is an Anagram of 'nicotine'

Pharmacodynamics

Nicotine acts on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, specifically the ganglion type nicotinic receptor and one CNS type nicotinic receptor. Structure Nicotinic receptors with a molecular mass of 290 kDa, are made up of five subunits arranged symmetrically around the central pore. The ganglion type nicotinic receptor is a type of Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, consisting of the subunit combination (α12(β43 Structure Nicotinic receptors with a molecular mass of 290 kDa, are made up of five subunits arranged symmetrically around the central pore. The former is present e. g. in the adrenal medulla and the latter in the CNS. The adrenal medulla is part of the Adrenal gland. It is located at the center of the gland being surrounded by the Adrenal cortex. In small concentrations it increases the activity of these receptors.

In adrenal medulla

By binding to ganglion type nicotinic receptors the adrenal medulla nicotine increases flow of adrenaline (epinephrine), a stimulating hormone. The ganglion type nicotinic receptor is a type of Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, consisting of the subunit combination (α12(β43 Hormones (from Greek ὁρμή - "impetus" are chemicals released by cells that affect cells in other parts of the body By binding to the receptors, it causes cell depolarization and an influx of calcium through voltage-gated calcium channels. Calcium (ˈkælsiəm is the Chemical element with the symbol Ca and Atomic number 20 Calcium triggers the exocytosis of chromaffin granules and thus the release of epinephrine (and norepinephrine) into the bloodstream. Exocytosis (ek-soh-sy-TOH-sis Greek: Έξω - external and κύτος - cell is the durable process by which a cell directs secretory vesicles out of the Cell Chromaffin cells are Neuroendocrine cells found in the medulla of the Adrenal gland (suprarenal gland - located above the kidneys and in other ganglia This is an article about the rock music band "Circulatory System"

The release of adrenaline causes an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and respiration, as well as higher blood glucose levels ^[5]

Cotinine is a byproduct of the metabolism of nicotine which remains in the blood for up to 48 hours and can be used as an indicator of a person's exposure to smoke. Measuring heart rate The Pulse rate (which in most people is identical to the heart rate can be measured at any point on the body where an Artery 's pulsation Blood pressure is also the title of a short story by Damon Runyan in Guys and Dolls and Other Stories Blood sugar, used in a physiological context is a misnomer and misleading Cotinine is a Metabolite of Nicotine. The word 'cotinine' is an Anagram of 'nicotine'

In high doses, nicotine will cause a blocking of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, which is the reason for its toxicity and its effectiveness as an insecticide. Historically most cases of nicotine poisoning have been the result of its use as an Insecticide; however such use is less frequent now than previously An insecticide is a Pesticide used against Insects in all developmental forms

In CNS

By binding to CNS type nicotinic receptors, nicotine increases dopamine levels in the reward circuits of the brain. Structure Nicotinic receptors with a molecular mass of 290 kDa, are made up of five subunits arranged symmetrically around the central pore. Dopamine is a Hormone and Neurotransmitter occurring in a wide variety of animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates In neuroscience the reward system is a collection of brain structures which attempts to regulate and control behavior by inducing pleasurable effects The brain is the center of the Nervous system in animals All Vertebrates and the majority of Invertebrates have a brain In this way, it activates the reward system and generates feelings of pleasure. Pleasure is commonly conceptualized as a positive experience Happiness, Entertainment, Enjoyment, ecstasy, and euphoria, but is hard

Furthermore, nicotine activates the sympathetic nervous system, acting via splanchnic nerves to the adrenal medulla, stimulates the release of epinephrine. The Sympathetic Nervous System ( SNS) is a branch of the Autonomic nervous system along with the Enteric nervous system and Parasympathetic nervous The splanchnic nerves are paired nerves that contribute to the Innervation of the viscera, carrying fibers of the Autonomic nervous system (visceral efferent fibers Acetylcholine released by preganglionic sympathetic fibers of these nerves acts on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, causing the release of epinephrine (and norepinephrine) into the bloodstream. This is an article about the rock music band "Circulatory System"

Studies have shown that other ingredients in inhaled tobacco smoke (as opposed to pure nicotine) inhibit the production of monoamine oxidase (MAO)^[6], an enzyme responsible for breaking down monoaminergic neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, in the brain. Enzymes are Biomolecules that catalyze ( ie increase the rates of Chemical reactions Almost all enzymes are Proteins Monoamine neurotransmitters are Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators that contain one Amino group that is connected to an aromatic ring by a

Dependence

See also: Smoking cessation

Modern research shows that nicotine acts on the brain to produce a number of effects. Smoking cessation is the effort to stop smoking Tobacco products Research is defined as Human activity based on Intellectual application in the investigation of Matter. Specifically, its addictive nature has been found to show that nicotine activates reward pathways—the circuitry within the brain that regulates feelings of pleasure and euphoria. ^[7]

To reduce the health effects of cigarette smoking, the best thing to do is to quit. Public health authorities do not endorse either smoking fewer cigarettes or switching to lower tar and nicotine brands as a satisfactory way of reducing risk. ^[8]

Dopamine is one of the key neurotransmitters actively involved in the brain. Dopamine is a Hormone and Neurotransmitter occurring in a wide variety of animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates See Chemical synapse for an introduction to concepts and terminology used in this article Research shows that by increasing the levels of dopamine within the reward circuits in the brain, nicotine acts as a chemical with intense addictive qualities. In many studies it has been shown to be more addictive than cocaine and heroin, though chronic treatment has an opposite effect on reward thresholds. Cocaine ( benzoylmethyl ecgonine) is a Crystalline Tropane Alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the Coca plant Heroin ( INN: diacetylmorphine, BAN: diamorphine) is a semi-synthetic opioid synthesized from Morphine, a derivative Like other physically addictive drugs, nicotine causes down-regulation of the production of dopamine and other stimulatory neurotransmitters as the brain attempts to compensate for artificial stimulation. In addition, the sensitivity of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors decreases. To compensate for this compensatory mechanism, the brain in turn upregulates the number of receptors, convoluting its regulatory effects with compensatory mechanisms meant to counteract other compensatory mechanisms. The net effect is an increase in reward pathway sensitivity, opposite of other drugs of abuse (namely cocaine and heroin, which reduce reward pathway sensitivity). This neuronal brain alteration persists for months after administration ceases. Due to an increase in reward pathway sensitivity, nicotine withdrawal is relatively mild compared to ethanol or heroin withdrawal. Nicotine also has the potential to cause dependence in many animals other than humans. Mice have been administered nicotine and exhibit withdrawal reactions when its administration is stopped. Withdrawal, also known as withdrawal/abstinence syndrome, refers to the characteristic signs and symptoms that appear when a drug that causes Physical dependence is ^[9]

A study found that nicotine exposure in adolescent mice retards the growth of the dopamine system, thus increasing the risk of substance abuse during adulthood. ^[10]

Toxicology

The LD₅₀ of nicotine is 50 mg/kg for rats and 3 mg/kg for mice. In Toxicology, the median lethal dose, LD50 (abbreviation for “Lethal Dose 50%” or LCt50 (Lethal Concentration & Time of a Rats are various medium sized long-tailed Rodents of the superfamily Muroidea A mouse (plural mice) is a small Animal that belongs to one 40–60 mg (0. 5-1. 0 mg/kg) can be a lethal dosage for adult humans. ^{[11] [12]} This designates nicotine an extremely deadly poison. In the context of Biology, poisons are substances that can cause damage, Illness, or Death to Organisms usually by It is more toxic than many other alkaloids such as cocaine, which has an LD₅₀ of 95. Cocaine ( benzoylmethyl ecgonine) is a Crystalline Tropane Alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the Coca plant 1 mg/kg when administered to mice. Spilling liquid nicotine on human skin could result in death. ^[13]

The carcinogenic properties of nicotine in standalone form, separate from tobacco smoke, have not been evaluated by the IARC, and it has not been assigned to an official carcinogen group. The term carcinogen refers to any substance Radionuclide or radiation that is an agent directly involved in the promotion of Cancer or in the fatation of its propagation The International Agency for Research on Cancer ( IARC, or CIRC in its French Acronym) is an intergovernmental agency forming part of the World Health The currently available literature indicates that nicotine, on its own, does not promote the development of cancer in healthy tissue and has no mutagenic properties. Cancer (medical term Malignant Neoplasm) is a class of Diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled In Biology, a mutagen ( Latin, literally origin of change) is a physical or chemical agent that changes the genetic information (usually DNA) Its teratogenic properties have not yet been adequately researched, and while the likelihood of birth defects caused by nicotine is believed to be very small or nonexistent, nicotine replacement product manufacturers recommend consultation with a physician before using a nicotine patch or nicotine gum while pregnant or nursing. Teratology stems from the Greek ( Genitive) meaning monster, or marvel and, meaning word, speech. A nicotine patch is a Transdermal patch that releases Nicotine into the body through the skin Nicotine gum is a type of Chewing gum that delivers Nicotine to the body However, nicotine and the increased cholinergic activity it causes have been shown to impede apoptosis, which is one of the methods by which the body destroys unwanted cells (programmed cell death). Structure Nicotinic receptors with a molecular mass of 290 kDa, are made up of five subunits arranged symmetrically around the central pore. Programmed cell-death ( PCD) is death of a cell in any form mediated by an intracellular program Since apoptosis helps to remove mutated or damaged cells that may eventually become cancerous, the inhibitory actions of nicotine create a more favourable environment for cancer to develop. Thus nicotine plays an indirect role in carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis (meaning literally the creation of Cancer) is the process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells

At least one study has concluded that exposure to nicotine alone, not simply as a component of cigarette smoke, could be responsible for some of the neuropathological changes observed in infants dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS is a syndrome marked by the symptoms of sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy Infant aged one month to one year ^[14]

It has been noted that the majority of people diagnosed with schizophrenia smoke tobacco. Schizophrenia ( from the Greek roots schizein (σχίζειν "to split" and phrēn Estimates for the number of schizophrenics that smoke range from 75% to 90%. It was recently argued that the increased level of smoking in schizophrenia may be due to a desire to self-medicate with nicotine. Self-medication is the use of drugs, sometimes illicit to treat a perceived or real malady often of a psychological nature ^{[15] [16]} More recent research has found the reverse, that it is a risk factor without long-term benefit, used only for its short term effects. ^[17] However, research on nicotine as administered through a patch or gum is ongoing.

Nicotine and oxidative stress

Nicotine is detoxified by the cytochrome p450 in the liver. Recently it has been published that it produces free radicals in this reaction. In Chemistry, radicals (often referred to as free radicals) are atoms molecules or ions with Unpaired electrons on an otherwise Open shell

Link to circulatory disease

Nicotine has very powerful effects on arteries throughout the body. Nicotine is a stimulant, speeding up the heart by about 20 beats per minute with every cigarette; it raises blood pressure, and is a vasoconstrictor, making it harder for the heart to pump through the constricted arteries. Blood pressure is also the title of a short story by Damon Runyan in Guys and Dolls and Other Stories Vasoconstriction is the narrowing of the blood vessels resulting from contraction of the muscular wall of the vessels particularly the large Arteries, Arterioles It causes the body to release its stores of fat and cholesterol into the blood. Cholesterol is a Lipid found in the Cell membranes and transported in the Blood plasma of all Animals It is an essential component of mammalian

Nicotine increases the risk of blood clots significantly. If blood clots in an artery, blood flow is reduced or halted, and tissue loses its source of oxygen and nutrients and dies in minutes.

Peripheral circulation, arteries going to the extremities, are also highly susceptible to the vasoconstrictor effects of nicotine as well as the increased risk of clots and clogging.

Therapeutic uses

The primary therapeutic use of nicotine is in treating nicotine dependence in order to eliminate smoking with its risks to health. Smoking is a practice where a substance most commonly Tobacco, is burned and the Smoke tasted or inhaled Controlled levels of nicotine are given to patients through gums, dermal patches, lozenges, electric/substitute cigarettes or nasal sprays in an effort to wean them off their dependence.

However, in a few situations, smoking has been observed to apparently be of therapeutic value to patients. These are often referred to as "Smoker’s Paradoxes"^[18]. Although in most cases the actual mechanism is understood only poorly or not at all, it is generally believed that the principal beneficial action is due to the nicotine administered, and that administration of nicotine without smoking may be as beneficial as smoking, without the higher risk to health due to tar and other ingredients found in tobacco. Tar is the common name for the Resinous partially combusted particulate matter produced by the burning of Tobacco, Cannabis, and other plant material Tobacco is an Agricultural product recognized as an addictive drug processed from the fresh Leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana.

For instance, recent studies suggest that smokers require less frequent repeated revascularization after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Revascularization is "a surgical procedure for the provision of a new additional or augmented blood supply to a body part or organ. Percutaneous coronary intervention ( PCI) commonly known as coronary angioplasty or simply Angioplasty, is a therapeutic procedure to treat ^[18] Risk of ulcerative colitis has been frequently shown to be reduced by smokers on a dose-dependent basis; the effect is eliminated if the individual stops smoking. Ulcerative colitis ( Colitis ulcerosa, UC) is a form of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD ^[19][20] Smoking also appears to interfere with development of Kaposi's sarcoma,^[21] breast cancer among women carrying the very high risk BRCA gene,^[22] preeclampsia,^[23] and atopic disorders such as allergic asthma. Kaposi's sarcoma (KS is a tumor caused by Human herpesvirus 8 ( HHV8) also known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV Breast cancer is a Cancer that starts in the cells of the Breast in women and men Pre-eclampsia (US preeclampsia) is a Medical condition where Hypertension arises in pregnancy ( Pregnancy-induced hypertension) in association Atopy (/ˈætəpi/ Greek ἀτοπία - placelessness or atopic syndrome is an allergic Hypersensitivity affecting parts of the body Asthma is a chronic Condition involving the Respiratory system in which the airways occasionally constrict become inflamed, and are ^[24] A plausible mechanism of action in these cases may be nicotine acting as an anti-inflammatory agent, and interfering with the inflammation-related disease process, as nicotine has vasoconstrictive effects. Inflammation ( Latin, inflamatio, to set on fire is the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli such as Pathogens ^[25]

With regard to neurological diseases, a large body of evidence suggests that the risks of Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease might be twice as high for non-smokers than for smokers. Parkinson's disease (also known as Parkinson disease or PD) is a degenerative disorder of the Central nervous system that often impairs the sufferer's Alzheimer's disease ( AD) also called Alzheimer disease or simply Alzheimer's, is the most common form of Dementia. ^[26] Many such papers regarding Alzheimer's disease^[27] and Parkinson's Disease^[28] have been published.

Recent studies have indicated that nicotine can be used to help adults suffering from Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. Autosomal dominant Nocturnal Frontal lobe Epilepsy (ADNFLE is a rare epileptic disorder that causes frequent violent seizures during sleep The same areas that cause seizures in that form of epilepsy are also responsible for processing nicotine in the brain. Epilepsy is a common chronic Neurological disorder that is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. ^[29]

Nicotine and its metabolites are being researched for the treatment of a number of disorders, including ADHD, Schizophrenia and Parkinson's Disease. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder affecting about 3-5% of the world's population Schizophrenia ( from the Greek roots schizein (σχίζειν "to split" and phrēn Parkinson's disease (also known as Parkinson disease or PD) is a degenerative disorder of the Central nervous system that often impairs the sufferer's ^[30]

The therapeutic use of nicotine as a means of appetite-control and to promote weight loss is anecdotally supported by many ex-smokers who claim to put on weight after quitting. However studies of nicotine in mice ^[31] suggests it may play a role in weight-loss that is independent of appetite and studies involving the elderly suggest that nicotine affects not only weight loss, but also prevents some weight gain. ^[32]

See also

• Addiction
• Allen Carr
• Cigarette
• Dipping tobacco
• Drug addiction
• Myocardial infarction
• Nicogel
• Nicotini
• NicVAX
• Psychoactive drug
• Snuff
• Snus
• Stroke

External links

• Description of nicotine addiction
• Description of nicotine mechanisms

References

Further reading

• Guardian article: "Nicotine could soon be rehabilitated as a treatment for schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as hyperactivity disorders."
• Nicotine Therapy for ADNFLE: "Nicotine as an antiepileptic agent in ADNFLE: An n-of-one study"
• Minna, John D. : "Nicotine exposure and bronchial epithelial cell nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression in the pathogenesis of lung cancer"
• Fallon, J.H., et al. James H Fallon (b 1947 Poughkeepsie, Loudonville New York) received his biology and chemistry undergraduate training at Saint Michael's College in Vermont and (2005) Gender: A major determinant of brain response to nicotine. International Journal of Neuropharmacology. 8:1-10. [5]
• West, Kip A. , et al. : "Rapid Akt activation by nicotine and a tobacco carcinogen modulates the phenotype of normal human airway epithelial cells"
• National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Powledge TM (2004) Nicotine as therapy. PLoS Biol 2(11): e404. : [6]
• Erowid information on tobacco[7]

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