ABSTRACT
Crystal and molecular structures of carbon disulfide CS(2) were investigated by molecular packing analysis with a computed dynamical model. This model includes thermal motions, molecular deformations, and anisotropic atomic repulsive interactions. Several crystalline structures with orthorhombic symmetry Cmca have been found by the calculation. The lowest energy structure agrees with the experimental one. The temperature dependence of the crystal structure parameters reproduces the general features and the particular increase with decreasing temperature of the lattice parameter c (and orientational angle psi) as determined by x-ray diffraction or neutron scattering experiments. The pressure behavior of the crystal structure parameters up to 12 GPa at room temperature is also correctly reproduced.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the present study was to determine the amount of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in the plasma of Aymara Indians from the Bolivian Andes after traditional chewing of coca leaves during exercise performance. The determination was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography after solid-liquid extraction. The results showed that such use of coca leaves is well correlated with pharmacologically active concentration of cocaine in plasma.
Subject(s)
Coca , Cocaine/analogs & derivatives , Cocaine/blood , Plants, Medicinal , Adult , Bolivia , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Exercise , Humans , Indians, South American , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Coca-Erythroxylum coca Lamarck var. coca-remains one of the most common plants of the folk medicine of Bolivia used as a general stimulant. Aymara and Quechua natives prefer to chew the sweeter coca leaves from the Yungas (tropical mountain forests of the eastern slopes of the Andes) rather than those from the Chapare lowlands. The contents in cocaine and minor constituents of leaf samples cultivated in these regions does not rationalize this choice.
Subject(s)
Coca/chemistry , Plants, Medicinal , Bolivia , Coca/anatomy & histology , Cocaine/analogs & derivatives , Cocaine/analysis , Cocaine/chemistry , Ecosystem , Humans , Medicine, Traditional , Phytotherapy , StereoisomerismABSTRACT
La coca es una de las plantas de cultivo más antiguo de los pueblos de Sur américa, constituyendo uno de los más importantes de Bolivia. Una parte de la producción es consumida tradicionalmente por los campesinos (principalmente bajo la forma del acullicu) alrededor de 10.000 toneladas sobre las 60.000 a 80.000 toneladas producidas anualmente en el país (Carter y Mamani, 1986). Las preguntas que habitualmente se hace la población boliviana sobre las cualidades de la hoja de coca son las siguientes: ¿Existen distintas variedades de coca cultivadas en Bolivia? ¿La hoja de coca en su estado natural, tiene o no cocaína? ¿Cuántos compuestos diferentes están presentes en la hoja de coca? ¿Cuál es el compuesto responsable de sus propiedades medicinales? (AU)
