Brucine
Brucine
Brucine (pronounced: broo-seen) is a bitter alkaloid derived from the Strychnos nux-vomica tree and related plants in the family Loganiaceae. It is chemically similar to strychnine.
Etymology
The term "brucine" is derived from the name of the Scottish naturalist, Robert Bruce, who first discovered the compound in the early 19th century.
Description
Brucine is a white, crystalline substance that is soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform. It is used in traditional medicine as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent, although its use is limited due to its toxicity. Brucine is also used in the manufacture of certain types of dyes and in some chemical reactions as a reagent.
Related Terms
- Alkaloid: A class of naturally occurring organic compounds that mostly contain basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties.
- Strychnos nux-vomica: A medium-sized tree native to India and Southeast Asia. It is best known as the source plant of the alkaloids strychnine and brucine.
- Loganiaceae: A family of flowering plants classified in order Gentianales, consisting of 13 genera and 650 species. Strychnos nux-vomica, the source plant of brucine, belongs to this family.
- Strychnine: A highly toxic, colorless, bitter, crystalline alkaloid used as a pesticide, particularly for killing small vertebrates such as birds and rodents.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Brucine
- Wikipedia's article - Brucine
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