Cytisine

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Cytisine

Chemical name	(1R-cis)-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahidro- 1,5-metano-8h-pyrido[1,2a][1,5] diazocin-8-on
Other names	Cytisine Baptitoxine Sophorine
Chemical formula	C₁₁H₁₄N₂O
Molecular mass	190.24 g/mol
CAS number	[485-35-8]
Melting point	152-153 °C
Boiling point	218 °C at 2 mmHg
SMILES	O=c1cccc2C3CNCC(C3)Cn21
Disclaimer and references

Cytisine is a toxic pyridine-like alkaloid. Pharmacologically it exhibits similar effects to nicotine due to structural similarity of the two molecules. In large doses it can interfere with respiration and become fatal.

1 Sources
2 Uses
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Sources

Plants that contain the alkaloid in various concentrations include several from the Faboideae subfamily, including laburnum, anagyris, thermopsis, cytisus, genista and sophora.

[edit] Uses

Cytisine is a nicotine agonist, and as a pharmaceutical preparation it is available for the treatment of nicotinism. Cytisine derivative varenicline was approved in 2006 as a smoking cessation drug. A 2006 literature review concludes that while trials performed with cytisine itself are mostly of poor quality, there is some evidence that cytisine may be prescribed to aid in smoking cessation.^[1]

Plants containing cytisine, including the Common Broom and Mescalbean have also been used recreationally. Positive effects are reported to include a mild intoxication and heightened awareness of color. However this practice is not recommended since negative side-effects can include nausea, vomiting, convulsions, heart pain, headache and in larger doses even death via respiratory failure.