In this second delivery of psychoactive species, I will socialize information about the general characteristics, pharmacokinetic action, pharmacological effects, psychoactive effects, consumption and legal aspects of Erythroxylon coca (Coca).
Introduction
As it was indicated in the previous contribution, it is known by psychoactive flora, to the group of vegetal species that from the biological, synthesize substances analogous to the neurotransmitters and whose biochemical effect manages to activate the transference of nervous impulses in the human beings, generating alterations of space and time perception.
It is important to highlight that, in a synergic way to the activation of the transference of nervous impulses, some psychoactive vegetal species such as Erythroxylon coca, are characterized by producing stimulant effects, capable of inhibiting the reabsorption of neurotransmitters in the brain and generating a sensation of pleasure. However, the chronic consumption of these psychoactive substances, trigger multiple harmful effects to health, among these we have; anhedonia, anergy, dysphoria, depression, insomnia, irritability, anxiety and hyperphagia [1].
In this sense, the aim of this post is to socialize botanical aspects related to pharmacokinetic action, pharmacological and psychoactive effects of the species Erythroxylon coca (Coca).
General features
Taxonomy and distribution
Erythroxylum coca, is a plant species of bush biotype, artificially located in the Division: Magnoliophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida., Order: Malpighiales., Family: Erythroxylaceae., Gender: Erythroxylum and Species: coca, whose origin dates from the Amazonian Andes, essentially from wild habitats in Peru, with respect to the area of distribution is predominantly located in tropical eco-regions.
Common names
According to [2], Erythroxylum coca is identified in a vulgar way as Coca, it is also designated as coca Huánuco, coca from Bolivia, while in the United States it is distinguished as Cocaine plant.
Vegetative and reproductive morphology
The specimens of Erythroxylum coca, are characterized by exhibiting short stems from 2 to 2.5 meters high, simple leaf blades with axillary stipulations, stalked, whole, elliptical aspect, and in some exceptions of ovate morphology, alternate phyllotaxy, yellow/white flowers, oblong aspect drupe fruits and red color when ripe.
Fig. 2 Vegetative and reproductive structures of Erythroxylum coca (Coca). Public domain image, Author: Danna Guevara, 2018 / CC BY-SA 4.0
Edaphoclimatology of Coca
Even though, it is known that coca specimens (Erythroxylum coca) grow wild in eco-regions of the Amazonian Andes, their vegetative potential is expressed under the following soil-climate conditions; altitude between 500 - 1,500 meters above sea level, average rainfall of 1,000 to 4,200 millimeters per year, optimal temperature between 18 and 25°C, humidity of 60 to 80% and clayey-loamy soils [4].
Fig. 3 View of an illegal cocaine processing laboratory area, based on Erythroxylum coca (Coca), located in the Brazilian Amazon. Public domain image, Author: Valter Campanato, 2008 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Pharmacokinetic action
Alkaloids and biosynthesis
The main secondary psychoactive metabolites, obtained from vegetative structures in specimens of Erythroxylum coca, are those that are synthesized biologically (biosynthesis) from amino acids, as is the case of Alkaloids, basic compounds from whose biosynthetic routes are extracted; Benzoylmethylecgonine (Cocaine), methylecgonine, pseudotropin, benzoyltropine, tropacocaine, alpha and beta truxiline, hygrine, cuscohygrine and nicotine [5].
Pharmacokinetics of benzoylmethylecgonines
According to [1], the substance benzoylmethylecgonine (cocaine) when entering the human body by any route of administration, registers the following pharmacokinetic action; A. absorption and binding to plasma proteins, B. rapid uptake by the central nervous system, C. inhibition in the re-capture of some neurotransmitters in the brain, which produces a decrease in the levels of dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline, reason why, this psychoactive substance physiologically generates a stimulating reaction associated to the answers of pleasure, In addition to increases in heart rates, increased salivary, gastric and pancreatic secretions, and intense sweating, in relation to the form of cocaine release, it has been indicated that it can be expelled either by rapid route (metabolic breakdown), or slow route (metabolization and excretion).
Fig. 4 Coca leaves Erythroxylum coca. Public domain image, Author: Danna Guevara, 2018 / CC BY-SA 4.0
Pharmacological effects
Clinical Answers
According to clinical records, the main pharmacological effect of the psychoactive substance benzoylmethylecgonine, present in the vegetative structures of Coca (Erythroxylum coca), is related to its anesthetic action in ophthalmological and morphine patients (morphine addicts), in addition to direct responses on the neurotransmission systems, when producing; elevated mood, increased energy, increased verbal fluidity, and decreased sensation of fatigue [6].
Addictive effects of Erythroxylum coca
Routes of consumption of psychoactive substances based on Coca
In relation to the routes of consumption of psychoactive substances based on Coca, and taking into account that the salts of these substances can be easily absorbed, the characteristic examples of consumption respond to the following ways; nasal route through inhalation of dust (rapid absorption by the membranes present in the mucous membranes of the nose), via inhalation or smoking in the form of crack (combination of cocaine hydrochloride and sodium bicarbonate), and by intravenous injection.
Fig. 5 Cocaine-based paste. Public domain image: CC BY-SA 4.0
Reported toxicological disorders
The chronic and addictive use of cocaine (benzoylmethylecgonine), exerts countless harmful responses to health, by causing multiple toxicological disorders, among these; heart conditions, alterations of perception, anxiety and irritability, brain atrophy, depression: insomnia, accelerated loss of body weight (anorexia), liver problems, neuropsychological disorders, and paranoid reactions, among others.
Erythroxylum coca consumption and legal aspects
Legal provisions
The control and regulation of the consumption of cocaine, as a psychoactive substance, dates from the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which included substances derived from Erythroxylum coca as a drug with toxicological effects on health, establishing international cooperation and control for its practical control, with the United Nations playing the main role in intervention and action [7].
SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF THIS PUBLICATION
- The theoretical elements, shared in this publication with the entire academic community that is active in the HIVE platform, is a botanical contribution that outlines content on the physiological and toxicological properties of the psychoactive species Erythroxylum coca (Coca), by socializing scientific-technical information on the general characteristics, pharmacokinetic behavior, pharmacological and psychoactive effects shown by Cocaine, as the main psychoactive and narcotic compound present in the Coca leaves.
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES CONSULTED AND CITED:
[1] Flores A. Efectos de la cocaína en el ser humano. Trastornos Adictivos. 2008;10;3:151-65. Article: Online access
[2] Sauvain M., Moretti C., Rerat C., Bravo L., Muñoz V., Sarávia R., Arrázo A., Gutierrez E., y Bruckner A. Estudio químico y botánico de las diferentes formas de Erythroxylon coca var. coca cultivadas en Bolivia. Usos de la hoja de coca y salud pública. Bolivia. 1997;34-46. Article: Online access
[3] Matteucci S., y Morello J. Aspectos ecológicos del cultivo de la Coca. GEPAMA-UBA. 2002;1-22. Article: Online access
[4] Sephu. El cultivo legal de la Coca orgánica y recomendaciones para su fertilización. Sociedad Española de productos húmicos S.A. Zaragoza. 2010;1-15. Article: Online access
[5] Sabogal J. Determinación de la composición química de drogas de abuso incautadas en Colombia durante el primer semestre de 2010: Fase I Cocaína en muestras de basuco procedentes del Laboratorio de Estupefacientes del Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forense. 2010;141. Article: Online access
[6] Téllez J., y Cote M. Efectos toxicológicos y neuropsiquiátricos producidos por consumo de Cocaína. Revista de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia. 2005;53;1:10-26. Article: Online access
[7] Pérez C. Determinación de Cocaína por Espectrometría vibracional. Tesis Doctoral. Departamento de Química Analítica de la Universidad de Valencia. 2017;244. Article: Online access
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OBSERVATION
, incorporating the background image of Danna Guevara, 2018 / CC BY-SA 4.0.