Toxiferin

Structural formula
	Counterions not shown
General
Surname	Toxiferin
other names	Toxiferin-I; C-toxiferin-I;
Molecular formula	[C 40 H 46 N 4 O 2 ] 2+ ; C 40 H 46 N 4 O 2 Cl 2 (dichloride);
External identifiers / databases
PubChem	5281411
Wikidata	Q392418
Drug information
Drug class	Muscle relaxant
Mechanism of action	n-acetylcholine receptor - antagonist
properties
Molar mass	614.82 g mol −1
safety instructions
GHS hazard labeling ; no classification available
GHS hazard labeling ; no classification available
Toxicological data	0.023 mg kg −1 ( LD 50 , mouse , iv ) ; 2.5 mg kg −1 ( LD 50 , rat , oral ) ;
	As far as possible and customary, SI units are used. Unless otherwise noted, the data given apply to standard conditions .

Toxiferine (actually: C-toxiferine I - the "C" stands for "Calebasse") is an alkaloid and is one of the curare - arrow poisons . Chemically, the substance is one of the bisindole derivatives.

History and extraction

The name toxiferin was given to the substance in 1938 by the German chemists Wieland and Pistor, who obtained it from Strychnos toxifera . The two also described a very precise method of detection for the alkaloid. By evaporating aqueous extracts from components (mostly bark and stems ) of the Strychnos species S. castalnei , S. crevauxii and S. toxifera , the Indians of Peru and Brazil obtain the arrow poison, the main component of which is toxiferin.

Properties and use

Toxiferin is one of the most potent plant-based poisons. It acts as a nicotine antagonist on the muscular endplate by blocking the receptors for acetylcholine , the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and is therefore a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant . This means that even small amounts of the substance paralyze the muscles. In higher doses, toxiferin is fatal due to the paralysis of the respiratory muscles.

The allyl derivative of the toxiferin Alcuronium is used as a medicinal substance .

Individual evidence

↑ This substance has either not yet been classified with regard to its hazardousness or a reliable and citable source has not yet been found.
^ MF Roberts, M. Wink: Alkaloids: biochemistry, ecology, and medicinal applications. Springer, 1998, ISBN 9780306454653
↑ P. Bützer: Expertise on hazardous substances and preparations (PDF file; 1.50 MB), St. Gallen University of Education , November 2006.
↑ Entry on C-Toxiferin I. In: Römpp Online . Georg Thieme Verlag, accessed on June 13, 2014.
↑ R. Dudziak: Muscle Relaxants - A Compendium. Springer, 2001, ISBN 3798512930 .
↑ E. Breitmaier: Alkaloids: narcotics, hallucinogens and other active ingredients, lead structures from nature. Vieweg + Teubner Verlag, 2002, ISBN 3519135426 .

[NV-1] This substance has either not yet been classified with regard to its hazardousness or a reliable and citable source has not yet been found.

[2] MF Roberts, M. Wink: Alkaloids: biochemistry, ecology, and medicinal applications. Springer, 1998, ISBN 9780306454653

[3] P. Bützer: Expertise on hazardous substances and preparations (PDF file; 1.50 MB), St. Gallen University of Education , November 2006.

[4] Entry on C-Toxiferin I. In: Römpp Online . Georg Thieme Verlag, accessed on June 13, 2014.

[5] R. Dudziak: Muscle Relaxants - A Compendium. Springer, 2001, ISBN 3798512930 .

[alkaloide-6] E. Breitmaier: Alkaloids: narcotics, hallucinogens and other active ingredients, lead structures from nature. Vieweg + Teubner Verlag, 2002, ISBN 3519135426 .