Picrotoxin

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Picrotoxin
Systematic (IUPAC) name
?
Identifiers
CAS number	124-87-8
ATC code	?
PubChem	5360688
DrugBank	APRD00269
Chemical data
Formula	C₃₀H₃₄O₁₃
Mol. mass	602.583 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	?
Half life	?
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status
Routes	?

For other uses, see PTX.

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

Picrotoxin (C₃₀H₃₄O₁₃) consists of two substances, picrotoxinin (C₁₅H₁₆0₆) and picrotin (C₁₅H₁₈0₇).

[edit] References

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, Benkoe E, Felix D (1982). "Suppressive action of picrotoxin, a GABA antagonist, on labyrinthine spontaneous nystagmus and vertigo in man". Acta Otolaryngol. 93 (3-4): 269-73. doi:10.3109/00016488209130882. PMID 7064710.
Basic Neurochemistry: GABA Receptor Physiology and Pharmacology