an insoluble alkaloid, extracted from the roots of the plant Rauwolfia serpentina, used medicinally to lower blood pressure and as a sedative and tranquillizer. Its main adverse effect is mental depression. Formula: C33H40N2O9
Word origin
C20: from German Reserpin, probably from the New Latin name of the plant
reserpine in American English
(rɪˈsɜrpɪn; rɪˈsɜrpin; ˈrɛsərˌpin)
noun
a crystalline alkaloid, C33H40N2O9, extracted from the root of various rauwolfias (esp. Rauwolfia serpentina), used in the treatment of hypertension and some forms of mental illness
Word origin
Ger reserpin, prob. arbitrary contr. < ModL Rauwolfia serpentina + Ger -in, -ine3