strychnine

enUK

strychnine

(strĭk`nĭn), bitter alkaloid drug derived from the seeds of a tree, Strychnos nux-vomica, native to Sri Lanka, Australia, and India. It has been used as a rat poison for five centuries, and rat biscuits still remain a cause of accidental poisoning in humans. Strychnine is a potent stimulant of the spinal cord; it also increases the secretion of gastric juices and heightens sensory awareness. Strychnine poisoning is characterized by violent convulsions. It is treated by keeping the victim absolutely quiet and administering barbiturate sedatives and artificial respiration. See first aidfirst aid,
immediate and temporary treatment of a victim of sudden illness or injury while awaiting the arrival of medical aid. Proper early measures may be instrumental in saving life and ensuring a better and more rapid recovery.
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Strychnine

an alkaloid contained in the seeds of the strychnine tree (Strychnos nux-vomica) and in the seeds of other plants of the genus Strychnos growing mainly in tropical Asia and Africa. Strychnine was discovered in 1818 by the French chemists P. J. Pelletier and J. B. Caventou, and its structure was established in 1946 by R. Robinson. In 1954, R. B. Woodward and his colleagues achieved a complete synthesis of strychnine (approximately 30 steps). In its chemical structure strychnine is a complex polycyclic compound with the formula C₂₁H₂₂O₂N₂; it is a strong monoacid base difficultly soluble in water and readily soluble in alcohol and chloroform.

Strychnine is highly poisonous and is used for the extermination of animal pests. Strychnine nitrate and galenicals obtained from the seeds of Strychnos plants are used in medicine. In therapeutic doses, strychnine stimulates the reflex functions of the spinal cord and increases the excitability of the oblongatal (respiratory, vasomotor centers; center of vagus nerves) and higher centers of the brain. In toxic doses, strychnine causes characteristic tetanic convulsions (opisthotonus, risus sardonicus). The effect of strychnine derives from the ability to facilitate the transmission of excitation in the interneuronal synapses of the spinal cord, primarily in the region of the internuncial neurons, which act as inhibitory cells. The effect is also due to strychnine’s ability to reduce the reflex reaction time in nerve centers and intensify the dissemination of excitation in the spinal cord.

V. V. PARIN

strychnine

[′strik‚nīn] (organic chemistry) C₂₁H₂₂O₂N₂ An alkaloid obtained primarily from the plant nux vomica, formerly used for therapeutic stimulation of the central nervous system.

strychnine

a white crystalline very poisonous alkaloid, obtained from the plant nux vomica: formerly used in small quantities as a stimulant of the central nervous system and the appetite. Formula: C₂₁H₂₂O₂N₂

strychnine

enUK

strychnine

[strik´nīn] a very poisonous alkaloid from seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica and other species of Strychnos; a common strychnine-containing rodenticide causes convulsions in humans.

strych·nine

(strik'nīn, -nēn), An alkaloid from Strychnos nux-vomica; colorless crystals of intensely bitter taste, nearly insoluble in water. It stimulates all parts of the CNS, and was used as a stomachic, an antidote for depressant poisons, and in the treatment of myocarditis. Strychnine blocks the inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine, and thus can cause convulsions. The formerly used salts of strychnine are strychnine hydrochloride, strychnine phosphate, and strychnine sulfate. It is a potent chemical capable of producing acute or chronic poisoning of humans or animals.

strychnine

(strĭk′nīn′, -nĭn, -nēn′)n. An extremely poisonous white crystalline alkaloid, C₂₁H₂₂O₂N₂, derived from nux vomica and related plants, used as a poison for rodents and other pests and formerly as a stimulant.

strychnine

Toxicology A highly toxic alkaloid from Strychnos nux-vomica, commonly used as a rodenticide, that elicits CNS hyperactivity, causing painful, recurrent tonic seizures, muscle tightness, cramping, risus sardonicus, marked flaccidity, decorticate posturing and death; Sx appear at 15 mg, death occurs with doses > 60 mg Management Control seizures with diazepam and phenobarbital; for muscle relaxation, curare, succinylcholine

strych·nine

(strik'nīn) An alkaloid from Strychnos nux-vomica; colorless crystals of intensely bitter taste, nearly insoluble in water; stimulates all parts of the central nervous system; was formerly used in stomach therapy, as an antidote for depressant poisons, and in the treatment of myocarditis. It blocks glycine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and thus can cause convulsions. It is a potent chemical capable of producing acute or chronic poisoning.

strychnine

A bitter-tasting, highly poisonous substance occurring in the seeds of Strychnos species of tropical trees and shrubs. Poisoning causes restlessness, stiffness of the face and neck, exaggerated sensations, extreme arching of the back (opisthotonus) and death from paralysis of breathing unless artificial ventilation is used.

strychnine

a poisonous alkaloid obtained from Strychnus nux-vomica, used as a stimulus for the CNS.

strychnine

strych·nine

strychnine

strych•nine

strych·nine

strychnine

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Strychnine

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strychnine

strychnine

strychnine

strych·nine

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Words related to strychnine

noun an alkaloid plant toxin extracted chiefly from nux vomica

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