Strychnine
173316
218095793
2008-06-09T03:35:22Z
Gordonofcartoon
4532505
/* Strychnine in drugs */ move doubtful source to Talk
{{Chembox new
|ImageFile=Strychnine2.svg
|ImageSize=200px
|IUPACName=
|OtherNames=Strychnidin-10-one
|Section1= {{Chembox Identifiers
| CASNo=57-24-9
| PubChem=441071
| SMILES=[H][C@]([C@@](C(C=CC=C7)<br/>=C7N34)5[C@H]6N(CC5)C2)3<br/>[C@@]1([H])[C@@H](C6)[C@]<br/>2=CCO[C@H]1CC4=O
}}
|Section2= {{Chembox Properties
| Formula=C<sub>21</sub>H<sub>22</sub>N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>
| MolarMass=334.41
| Appearance=
| Density=
| MeltingPt=284-286 °C
| BoilingPt=
| Solubility=
}}
|Section3= {{Chembox Hazards
| MainHazards=
| FlashPt=
| Autoignition=
}}
}}
'''Strychnine''' ({{pronEng|ˈstrɪkniːn}} (British, U.S.), {{IPA|/-naɪn/}} or {{IPA|/-nɪn/}} (U.S.)) is a very toxic ([[LD50|LD<sub>50</sub>]] = 10 mg approx.), colorless crystalline [[alkaloid]] used as a [[pesticide]], particularly for killing small [[vertebrate]]s such as [[rodent]]s. Strychnine causes muscular convulsions and eventually death through [[asphyxia]] or sheer exhaustion. The most common source is from the seeds of the ''[[Strychnine tree|Strychnos nux vomica]]'' tree. Strychnine is one of the most bitter substances known. Its taste is detectable in concentrations as low as 1 [[Parts per million|ppm]].
==Pharmacology==
Strychnine acts as a blocker or [[Receptor antagonist|antagonist]] at the inhibitory or strychnine-sensitive [[glycine receptor]] (GlyR), a [[ligand]]-gated [[chloride]] channel in the [[spinal cord]] and the [[brain]].
Although it is best known as a poison, small doses of strychnine were once used in medications as a [[stimulant]], a [[laxative]] and as a treatment for other stomach ailments. A 1934 drug guide for nurses described it as "among the most valuable and widely prescribed drugs".<ref>''Principal Drugs and Their Uses'', A.L. Morton, Faber and Faber, London, 1934</ref> Strychnine's stimulant effects also led to its use historically for enhancing performance in sports.<ref>''Performance-Enhancing Substances in Sport and Exercise'', Michael S. Bahrke and Charles Yesalis, Human Kinetics, 2002, ISBN 0736036792 [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=nPJaTdp47mcC&pg=PA3&dq=strychnine+stimulant+sport&sig=IT3Yoh4vmV6sSI8TdBelcTIxep8 Google Books]</ref> Because of its high toxicity and tendency to cause convulsions, the use of strychnine in medicine was eventually abandoned once safer alternatives became available.
The dosage for medical use was cited as between "1/60th [[Grain (measure)|grain]]–1/10th grain", which is between 1.1 milligrams and 6.4 milligrams in modern measures. Normally the maximum dosage used was 3.2 mg, half of a "full dose".<ref>[http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/potter-comp/strychnos-nux.html Nux Vomica. | Henriette's Herbal Homepage<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> A lethal dose was cited as 1/2 a grain (32 mg), but people have been known to die from as little as 5 mg of strychnine.
==Strychnine in drugs==
There is a common but false [[urban legend]] that strychnine is added to drugs like [[LSD]] or that strychnine is present in the [[peyote]] [[cactus]].
==See also==
*[[avicide]]
*[[Strychnine poisoning]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Plant toxins]]
[[Category:Alkaloids]]
[[ca:Estricnina]]
[[cs:Strychnin]]
[[da:Stryknin]]
[[de:Strychnin]]
[[es:Estricnina]]
[[eo:Striknino]]
[[fr:Strychnine]]
[[gl:Estricnina]]
[[it:Stricnina]]
[[he:סטריכנין]]
[[nl:Strychnine]]
[[ja:ストリキニーネ]]
[[no:Stryknin]]
[[pl:Strychnina]]
[[pt:Estricnina]]
[[ro:Stricnină]]
[[ru:Стрихнин]]
[[sk:Strychnín]]
[[fi:Strykniini]]
[[sv:Stryknin]]
[[th:สตริกนิน]]
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[[uk:Стрихнін]]
[[zh:番木鳖碱]]