Abstract
The parasympathetic system (cholinergic system) is responsible for the conservation of energy, digestion, and growth. Acetylcholine is the major neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic system acting on muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. The cholinergic system can be directly stimulated by natural alkaloids like muscarine and nicotine, indirectly by inhibiting cholinesterase enzyme with carbamates. Toxins like bungarotoxins, conotoxin, and botulinum toxin inhibit cholinergic neurotransmission. Modulation of acetylcholine level by various acetylcholinesterase inhibitors plays a pivot role in the management of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, glaucoma, snakebite envenomation, and others. Understanding the mechanism of inhibition of acetylcholinesterases by organophosphorus compounds, carbamates, and nerve gases has led to successful pharmacological management of poisoning by these compounds. This chapter will review the synthesis and secretion of ACh, its receptors and actions brought out by the cholinergic system with details about the drugs that modulate the cholinergic system for the benefit in various clinical conditions.
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Lakshmanan, M. (2021). Cholinoceptor Agonists and Anticholinesterase Agents. In: Paul, A., Anandabaskar, N., Mathaiyan, J., Raj, G.M. (eds) Introduction to Basics of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6009-9_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6009-9_1
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