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Neurotoxicology
Published in Philip B. Gorelick, Fernando D. Testai, Graeme J. Hankey, Joanna M. Wardlaw, Hankey's Clinical Neurology, 2020
Sean D. McCann, Trevonne M. Thompson
Strychnine is a naturally occurring alkaloid derived from the Strychnos nux-vomica tree, with the highest concentrations of the toxin found in the seeds and blossoms. Strychnine can be used as a rodenticide, although it has largely been replaced by products with less potential for human toxicity. Strychnine is an antagonist of glycine and acetylcholine (ACh) receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Signs and symptoms are the result of decreased inhibitory tone and present as severe, painful muscle contractions similar to those seen in tetanus, which can then progress to seizure. The diagnosis is based on a history of ingestion, and treatment consists of aggressive supportive care with no available specific antidote.
Sympathomimetics
Published in Frank A. Barile, Barile’s Clinical Toxicology, 2019
Strychnine is an indole alkaloid* obtained from the dried seeds of the plant Strychnos nux-vomica, which grows to approximately 12 meters in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. It is extremely toxic as a central stimulant. Fatal poisoning in adults, especially from the ingestion of tonic tablets, results from ingesting 30 to 100 mg and in children from accidental ingestion of rodenticide (up to 15 mg is a lethal dose). Since the alkaloid is predominantly a lipophilic glycoside, it is well absorbed orally, and it is metabolized via the hepatic microsomal enzyme system.
Strychnine
Published in David J. George, Poisons, 2017
Strychnine is derived from the seeds of Strychnos nux vomica, which is a small tree native to India. The words nux and vomica are commonly found on antique apothecary jars and other collectable containers some of which may still contain strychnine. In small doses, strychnine acts as a stimulant and has a long history of use as a performance-enhancing drug, especially in long-distance cycling. It is still listed on the World Anti-Doping Agents Prohibited List. Strychnine was a component of some nonprescription cathartics and tonics until the early 1960s. It is still present in some homeopathic products. Strychnine produces its effects on the body by antagonizing inhibitor neurotransmitters. In toxic doses, this results in generalized seizure-like contractions of skeletal muscles. Death usually results from respiratory failure due to the intense continuing contraction of respiratory muscles.
Strychnine, old still actual poison: description of poisoning cases reported to French Poison Control Centers over the past thirteen years
Published in Toxin Reviews, 2022
Camille Paradis, Denis Dondia, Audrey Nardon, Ingrid Blanc-Brisset, Arnaud Courtois, Jules-Antoine Vaucel, Magali Labadie
Strychnine that was discovered by the French pharmacists Pierre-Joseph Pelletier and Joseph-Bienaimé Caventou in 1818 in the seeds of Strychnos ignatii, is presenting as an odorless white crystalline powder (Mackison 1981, Patocka 2015). This highly toxic indol alkaloid (Figure 1) is a naturally occurring toxin, found in plants of the genus Strychnos that contain nearly 200 species distributed in warm regions of Asia, America and Africa. The main species used to extract strychnine are Strychnos ignatii and Strychnos nux vomica (Patocka 2015, Guo et al.2018).