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 ( see physo-, stigma) + -ine ²

Example Sentences

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 • Apr. 11, 2014

Researchers have also tried treating AD with physostigmine, a substance that prevents the breakdown of ACh.

From Time Magazine Archive

Consciousness is entirely unaffected by physostigmine, there being apparently no action on any part of the brain above the medulla oblongata.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" by Various

There is a marked antagonism in nearly all important particulars between the actions of physostigmine and of atropine.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" by Various

Calabar Bean or Physostigma.—The bean of Physostigma venenosum contains the alkaloid physostigmine or eserine, with the antagonistic alkaloid calabarine.

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