Brucine is a toxic alkaloid that is related to strychnine and the two are often co-ingested.
Source: bark of Strychnos nux-vomica
Chemical structure: indole alkaloid (2,3-dimethyoxystrychnine)
Mechanism of action: binds to glycine receptors and blocks chloride ion flow.
Effect: paralysis of inhibitory neurons
Brucine is much less toxic than strychnine by weight, with a toxic dose given as 1,000 mg (Teske et al).
Clinical findings:
(1) severe muscle spasms
(2) convulsions
(3) rhabdomyolysis
(4) acute renal failure
(5) interference with respiratory muscles resulting in suffocation
(6) pulmonary edema
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Toxicology
