picrotoxin

American  

[pik-ruh-tok-sin] / ˌpɪk rəˈtɒk sɪn /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, bitter, poisonous, central nervous system stimulant, C 3 0 H 3 4 O 1 3 , obtained from the seeds of Anamirta cocculus: used chiefly in the treatment of barbiturate poisoning.

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picrotoxin British  

/ ˌpɪkrəˈtɒksɪn /

noun

1. a bitter poisonous crystalline compound formerly used as an antidote for barbiturate poisoning. Formula: C 30 H 34 O 13

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Other Word Forms

• picrotoxic adjective

Etymology

Origin of picrotoxin

1865–70; < Greek pikr ( ós ) bitter + -o- + toxin

Example Sentences

He was promptly put on the standard treatment for such cases: an injection of picrotoxin to stimulate the nervous system, and oxygen by mask.

From Time Magazine Archive

Hot water will now dissolve out picrotoxin, colchicin, and digitalin, but not cantharidin.

From Aids to Forensic Medicine and Toxicology by Robertson, W. G. Aitchison (William George Aitchison )

Lastly, anamirtin is found in the mother water of picrotoxin; it is not bitter, not poisonous, and not reducible by the aforementioned reagents.

From The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by Thomas, Jerome Beers

It contains a bitter poisonous principle, picrotoxin, used in small doses to control the night sweats of phthisis.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 5 "Clervaux" to "Cockade" by Various

Sixty-six per cent. of picrotoxin consists of another bitter substance, non-poisonous—picrotin, which is insoluble in benzine and is reduced by Fehling’s solution and nitrate of silver.

From The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by Thomas, Jerome Beers