Picrotoxin
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Picrotoxin, also known as cocculin, is a poisonous crystalline plant alkaloid, first isolated by Boullay in 1812.
Found primarily in Cocculus indicus and Anamirta cocculus, it has a strong physiological action. It acts as a non-competitive antagonist of GABA A receptors. As GABA itself is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, infusion of picrotoxin has a stimulative effect.
[edit] Chemical Structure
C30H34O13 consists of two substances, picrotoxinin, C15H1606 and picrotin, C15H1807,
[edit] Reference
- L. Dupont, O. Dideberg, J. Lamotte-Brasseur et L. Angenot (1976). "Structure cristalline et moléculaire de la picrotoxine, C15H16O6.C15H18O7". Acta Cryst. B32: 2987-2993. (in French)
[edit] External links
- Ehrenberger K. et al : Suppressive action of picrotoxin, a GABA antagonist, on labyrinthine spontaneous nystagmus and vertigo in man.
- Basic Neurochemistry: GABA Receptor Physiology and Pharmacology
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