Picrotoxin
Encyclopedia
Picrotoxin, also known as cocculin, is a poisonous crystalline plant compound, first isolated by Pierre Boullay in 1812. The name "picrotoxin" is a combination of the Greek words "picros" (bitter) and "toxicon" (poison).
Found primarily in the fruit of the climbing plant Anamirta cocculus
, it has a strong physiological action. It acts as a noncompetitive antagonist for the GABAA receptor chloride channels. It is therefore a channel blocker rather than a receptor antagonist. As GABA itself is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, infusion of picrotoxin has stimulant and convulsant effects. As such, picrotoxin can be used to counter barbiturate
poisoning, that can occur during general anesthesia or during a large intake outside of the hospital.
Found primarily in the fruit of the climbing plant Anamirta cocculus
Anamirta cocculus
Anamirta cocculus is a Southeast Asian and Indian climbing plant. Its fruit, Cocculus indicus, is the source of picrotoxin, a poisonous alkaloid with stimulant properties....
, it has a strong physiological action. It acts as a noncompetitive antagonist for the GABAA receptor chloride channels. It is therefore a channel blocker rather than a receptor antagonist. As GABA itself is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, infusion of picrotoxin has stimulant and convulsant effects. As such, picrotoxin can be used to counter barbiturate
Barbiturate
Barbiturates are drugs that act as central nervous system depressants, and can therefore produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild sedation to total anesthesia. They are also effective as anxiolytics, as hypnotics, and as anticonvulsants...
poisoning, that can occur during general anesthesia or during a large intake outside of the hospital.