Question

Cocaine is obtained from

• A. Atropa belladonna
• B. Erythroxylum coca
• C. Datura sp.
• D. Papaver somniferum.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Erythroxylum coca

Answer 2

Cocaine is natural coca alkaloid obtained from leaves of coca (= cocca) plant-Erythroxylum coca (Family Erythroxylaceae) - a South American plant growing on the foot hills of Andes. Its chemical formula is $C_{17}H_{21}NO_4$. Cocaine is commonly called coke or crack. It is bitter, white, crystalline powder and called snow, sniff, crack, coke, princess, Big C. Cocaine has vasoconstrictor properties and therefore, is a good local anaesthetic. It is taken by snorting. It is a powerful CNS stimulant. It induces a sense of well-being and pleasure and delays fatigue. Its overdose causes headache, convulsions, insomnia, respiratory or cardiac failure and may lead to mental disorder. Excessive dosage of cocaine causes hallucinations.