GELSEMINE Meaning and
Definition
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Gelsemine is a noun that refers to a toxic alkaloid compound found in the flowering plants of the Gelsemium genus, which is native to Southeast Asia and North America. It is a colorless or pale yellow crystalline substance with a bitter taste. Gelsemine is known for its potent neurotoxic effects, making it a highly poisonous substance.
The toxic properties of gelsemine arise from its ability to interfere with the normal functioning of the nervous system. It acts as a selective antagonist of glycine receptors in the central nervous system, leading to inhibitory effects on neuronal activity. This interference can cause various symptoms such as dizziness, muscle weakness, respiratory depression, and even paralysis.
Historically, gelsemine has been used in traditional medicine for its potential analgesic and sedative properties. However, due to its high toxicity and the risk it poses to human health, it is not employed in modern medicine. The ingestion or exposure to gelsemine can result in severe poisoning and potentially lethal outcomes.
Given its dangerous nature, access to gelsemine should be strictly limited to professionals who possess the knowledge and expertise to handle such hazardous substances. The compound's identification and detection are crucial in forensic toxicology, aiding in investigating cases of poisoning or analyzing potentially contaminated substances.
In summary, gelsemine is a toxic alkaloid found in certain flowering plants, known for its potent neurotoxic effects that can lead to severe poisoning in humans.
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A crystallizable alkaloid derived from gelsemium; it has been employed as a mydriatic in a solution of gr. 8 in 31.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GELSEMINE
- felsemine
- velsemine
- belsemine
- helsemine
- yelsemine
- telsemine
- gwlsemine
- gslsemine
- gdlsemine
- grlsemine
- g4lsemine
- g3lsemine
- geksemine
- gepsemine
- geosemine
- gelaemine
- gelzemine
- gelxemine
- geldemine
- geldsemine
Etymology of GELSEMINE
The word "gelsemine" is derived from the scientific name of a plant known as Gelsemium. The etymology of "Gelsemium" comes from the Greek words "gelsemos" meaning "sweet" and "haima" meaning "blood". The plant is named for the sweet taste of its flowers, as well as its use in traditional medicine for treating various blood-related ailments. The term "gelsemine" specifically refers to an alkaloid compound found in Gelsemium plants, which is known for its medicinal properties and toxicity.
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