Handbook on Opium
History and Basis of Opioids in Therapeutics

A comprehensive review on opium, covering the synthesis of botany, history, trade, chemistry, molecular biology, biological effects, clinical use, and more

Vasanth Kumar (Author)

9780323909037, Elsevier Science

Paperback, published 4 February 2022

244 pages, Approx. 120 illustrations (120 in full color)
23.5 x 19 x 1.6 cm, 0.68 kg

Handbook of Opium: History and Basis of Opioids in Therapeutics traces the history of poppy from its prehistory, its use in Greek and Egyptian medicine through the European Renaissance, and the opioid epidemic of the present day. The book explores the discovery of morphine and its alkaloids, reviews its biosynthetic process, and covers the evolution of synthetic opioids. Further, it reviews the biological effects of opium and the molecular basis of its actions, including future perspectives in clinical applications with therapeutic targets. The book is interspersed with numerous notes on the events and great minds in history and medicine who advocated, analyzed and advanced opium through history.

Section 1 – History: From Cotyledons to Capsules

Part I: Plant
1. Botanical Aspects

Part II: History
2. Pre-History
3. Ancient History
4. Post-Classical History
5. Modern History
6. Contemporary History

Part III. Trade
7. Business of Opium

Section 2 – Basis of Opioids in Therapeutics: Receptors, Effectors and Beyond

Part IV: Alkaloids
8. Opiates
9. Opioids

Part V: Molecular Basics
10. Receptors
11. Effectors

Part VI: Effects
12. Biological Effects
13. Mechanisms
14. Clinical Uses and Issues

Part VII: The Future
15. Outlook

Epilogue
Index

Subject Areas: Life sciences: general issues [PSA], Physiology [MFG]