An alkaloid from Strychnos nux-vomica; colorless crystals of intensely bitter taste, nearly insoluble in water. It stimulates all parts of the central nervous system, and was used as a stomachic, an antidote for depressant poisons, and in the treatment of myocarditis. S. blocks the inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine, and thus can cause convulsions. The formerly used salts of s. are s. hydrochloride, s. phosphate, and s. sulfate. It is a potent chemical capable of producing acute or chronic poisoning of humans or animals.
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strych·nine 'strik-.nīn, -nən, -.nēn n a bitter poisonous alkaloid C21H22N2O2 that is obtained from nux vomica and related plants of the genus Strychnos and is used as a poison (as for rodents) and medicinally as a stimulant of the central nervous system
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n.
a poisonous alkaloid produced in the seeds of the East Indian tree Strychnos nux-vomica. In small doses it was formerly widely used in 'tonics'. Poisoning causes painful muscular spasms similar to those of tetanus; the back becomes arched (the posture known as opisthotonos) and death is likely to occur from spasm in the respiratory muscles.
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strych·nine (strikґnīn) a poisonous alkaloid obtained chiefly from Strychnos nux-vomica and other species of Strychnos; it is a central nervous stimulant that can cause fatal convulsions and respiratory arrest. See also strychnine poisoning and strychninism.Medical dictionary. 2011.