physostigmine

American  

[fahy-soh-stig-meen, -min] / ˌfaɪ soʊˈstɪg min, -mɪn /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. an alkaloid, C 1 5 H 2 1 N 3 O 2 , used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease to raise the level of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and also as a miotic in glaucoma.

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physostigmine British  

/ ˌfaɪsəʊˈstɪɡmiːn, ˌfaɪsəʊˈstɪɡmɪn /

noun

1. Also called: eserine.  an alkaloid found in the Calabar bean used esp in eye drops to reduce pressure inside the eyeball. Formula: C 15 H 21 N 3 O 2

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Etymology

Origin of physostigmine

1860–65; < New Latin Physostigm ( a ) genus of plants yielding the alkaloid ( physo-, stigma ) + -ine ²

Example Sentences

In the sole example from the vast field of synthetic organic chemistry, he outlines the total synthesis of the alkaloid physostigmine, yet divulges nothing about why it is useful — it's a treatment for glaucoma.

From Nature

The final version of today’s Google Doodle for the U.S. shows the chemical structure of cortisone coming from an intermediate in soybean together with physostigmine from the West African Calabar bean.

From Forbes

Of these two have been identified, one called calabarine, and the other, now a highly important drug, known as physostigmine—or occasionally as eserine.

From Project Gutenberg

Each of these contains one-thousandth part of a grain of physostigmine sulphate, a quantity which is perfectly efficient.

From Project Gutenberg

The respiration is at first accelerated by a dose of physostigmine, but is afterwards slowed and ultimately arrested.

From Project Gutenberg