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Amines & Amides
Dr. Michael P. Gillespie
Introduction
• Amines and Amides contain nitrogen.
• Nitrogen is an important component in the
structure of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA.
• Amines are characterized by the presence of
an amino group (-NH2).
• Histamine contributes to the inflammatory
response.
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Introduction
• Amides are the products of a reaction
between an amine and a carboxylic acid
derivative.
• Amino acids are the subunits from which
proteins are built. They are characterized by
both an amino group and a carboxyl group.
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Amines: Structure &
Properties
• Amines are a family of compounds that are
contain an amino group or substituted amino
group.
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Amines
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Medically Important Amines
• Amphetamines, such as benzedrine and
methedrine, stimulate the central nervous
system. They elevate blood pressure and
pulse rate and are often used to treat fatigue.
• Medically, they have been used to treat
depression and epilepsy.
• Amphetamines decrease the appetite and
have been prescribed as diet pills.
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Medically Important
Amines
• Many of the medical amines are analgesics
(pain relievers) or anesthetics (pain blockers).
• Novacaine is used as a local anesthetic.
• Demerol is a very strong pain reliever.
• Ephedrine is used as a decongestant.
• Sulfa drugs used to fight bacterial infections
are made from amines.
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Methamphetamine
• Methamphetamine is an addictive drug known by many
names such as “speed”, “crystal”, “crank”, “ice”, and
“glass”.
• Ephedrine, which is used as a nasal decongestant, can be
used as the starting material for methamphetamine.
• Methamphetamine can be smoked, taken orally, snorted, or
injected depending upon the form of the drug.
• It stimulates the release of dopamine and norepinephrine
into regions of the brain that control feelings of pleasure.
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Methamphetamine
• Symptoms of long-term abuse include addiction,
anxiety, violent behavior, confusion, psychotic
symptoms of paranoia, hallucinations, and
delusions.
• In severe cases paranoia results in homicidal and /
or suicidal feelings.
• Elevated heart rate and blood pressure can lead to
strokes.
• In severe cases, cardiovascular collapse and death
result.
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Heterocyclic Amines
• Heterocyclic amines are cyclic compounds that
have at least one nitrogen atom in the ring
structure.
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Amides: Structure &
Properties
• Amides are formed in a reaction between a
carboxylic acid derivative and an amine.
• The amine bond is the bond between the
carbonyl carbon of the acyl group and the
nitrogen of the amine.
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Amides
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Medically Important Amides
• Barbiturates (“downers”) are derived from
amides and are used as sedatives.
• Acetaminophen is an amide.
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Neurotransmitters
• Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry
signals from a nerve cell to a target cell.
• The signals can be inhibitory or excitatory and
they are all nitrogen containing compounds.
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Catecholamines
• The catecholamines include dopamine,
norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
• Too little dopamine produces Parkinson’s
disease.
• Too much dopamine is associated with
schizophrenia.
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Serotonin
• A deficiency of serotonin is associated with
depression and eating disorders.
• Serotonin is also involved in pain perception,
regulation of body temperature, and sleep.
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Histamine
• Histamine contributes to allergy symptoms.
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γ-Aminobutyric Acid & Glycine
• γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) & Glycine are
inhibitory neurotransmitters.
• It is believed that GABA is involved in control
of aggressive behaviors.
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Acetylcholine
• Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that
functions at the neuromuscular junction.
• It carries signals from the nerve to the muscle.
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Nitric Oxide & Glutamate
• Nitric oxide and glutamate function in a
positive feedback loop.
• They are thought o be involved in learning and
the formation of memories.
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