STRYCHNINE

Introduction
Strychnine is a colourless bitter crystalline
alkaloid derived from the seeds of the
Strychnos nux-vomica tree. Though you may
not know it, strychnine is a very useful poison.
To the right is a picture of the molecular
structure of strychnine drawn using skeletal
structure.

History
The skeletal structure of Strychnine or Strychnidin-10-one which has a
The chemical strychnine was first molecular formula of C21H22N2O2
discovered by French chemists Joseph
Bienanimé Caventou and Pierre-Joseph
Pelletier in 1818 in Saint-Ignatius' bean. The
Uses
poisonous and medicinal effects of Strychnos
nux-vomica were known in ancient India but
 In small doses, strychnine is used as a stimulant
the compound was not identified and
 Pesticides
classified until the 19th century. The structure
 Poison
of strychnine was ascertained by Sir Robert
Robinson in 1946 and synthesised in a  Lengthening the effect of drugs
laboratory by Robert B. Woodward in 1954.
Treatment
Historically, strychnine has been used as Swallowing activated charcoal may adsorb any
poison, animal (rats, cats) poisons, medicine, strychnine that has not been absorbed into the
stimulant and flavouring. In recent years, bloodstream. IV fluids are given and the patient is
however, it has been noticed that it is far from under observation in a dark and silent room (to
a medicine and has only been used as rat minimise stimuli). Anti-convulsants and cooling may be
poison. That is slowly being phased out given. Intubation may or may not be necessary.
though.

Strychnine Poisoning
Strychnine is typically ingested and absorbed into the bloodstream in the gastrointestinal tract. There, it makes
its way into muscles and neurons, specifically the synapses (to motor neurons) and neuromuscular junctions.

Strychnine specifically target glycine and acetylcholine receptors.

Strychnine binds 10 times more readily to acetylcholine receptors than acetylcholine - it prevents acetylcholine
from binding to receptors and activating them (antagonist). Acetylcholine receptors are found in inhibitory
neurons, and thus, when strychnine prevents the chloride channels (that acetylcholine receptors open), the
motor neuron is more easily stimulated onto creating an action potential (its tolerance is lowered).

Glycine receptors are affected similarly.

As such, a person convulses with little to no stimuli. Over long periods of time, the person dies due to
exhaustion and cellular damage. Muscle exhaustion happens and if the person does not die due to respiratory
depression, myoglobin is released from the damaged muscles cells, which may cause kidney damage.

References
Wikipedia 2017, Strychnine < https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strychnine > [11 February 2017], Wikipedia 2017, Strychnine < https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strychnine#/media/File:Strychnine.svg >
[11 February 2017], Medical Discoveries 2017, Strychnine < http://www.discoveriesinmedicine.com/Ra-Thy/Strychnine.html > [11 February 2017]