strychnos brands

Molecular formula: C21H22N2O2

Strychnine is a strong convulsant. The alkaloid excites the CNS by specifically antagonizing the inhibitory neurotransmitter amino acid, glycine, at postsynaptic receptors. Inhibitory glycine receptors are abundant in the spinal cord and brain stem where they are mainly involved in regulation of motor functions. Strychnine-binding glycine receptors were also found in the cortex, as well as in the auditory and visual systems. When inhibition is blocked, ongoing neuronal excitability is increased and sensory stimuli produce exaggerated reflex effects. Glycine receptors in higher brain centers such as the substantia nigra, neostriatum, and hippocampus are commonly insensitive to strychnine, explaining why strychnine symptoms are largely spinal in origin. Strychnine can also depress nicotinic-cholinergic responses through interaction with nicotinic receptors and at high concentrations in vitro binds to other receptors as well.

Source: PubChem (NCBI) · compound 441071