Brucine (Noun)
Meaning
A bitter alkaloid poison resembling strychnine and extracted from nux vomica.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Brucine is a toxic compound found in the seeds of the Strychnos nux-vomica tree, also known as the strychnine tree.
- The extraction process of brucine from nux vomica seeds is labor-intensive and requires careful handling due to its toxicity.
- In terms of chemical structure, brucine is closely related to strychnine, with both compounds exhibiting similar poisonous properties.
- The seeds of the nux vomica tree contain approximately 1.5 to 5 percent brucine, which contributes to their toxic nature.
- Brucine is a potent inhibitor of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, which can lead to severe neurological symptoms upon ingestion.