Nicotine to Nicotinoids: 1962 to 1997

Abstract

Nicotine is the activ component of tobacco for smoking. It has also a long history as a medicine and an insecticide, although not competitive with modern synthetic insecticides. An excellent review on nicotine as an insecticide was presented by Schmeltz (1971). Due to its remarkable pharmacological properties, the alleged health hazard associated with tobacco smoking and nicotine use as a pesticide, its safety is constantly watched by the public. There have been enormous volumes of literature in chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, toxicology, entomology, botany, medicine, and psychology. However, its mode of insecticidal action was vague until Yamamoto challenged it (Yamamoto et al., 1962; Yamamoto, 1965).