ergotoxine

A mixture of alkaloids obtained from ergot, consisting of 1:1:1 ergocristine, ergocornine and ergocryptine, more toxic than other natural and semisynthetic ergot alkaloids; a potent stimulant of smooth muscle, particularly of the blood vessel s and uterus, and produces adrenergic blockade (chiefly of the alpha receptors). SYN: ecboline.

* * *

er·go·tox·ine .ər-gə-'täk-.sēn, -sən n

1) a crystalline pharmacologically active alkaloid C₃₅H₃₉N₅O₅ from ergot that is stereoisomeric with ergotinine

2) a mixture of isomorphous pharmacologically active alkaloids from ergot called also ergotoxine group

* * *

er·go·tox·ine (ur″go-tokґsēn) a mixture of three toxic ergot alkaloids, ergocornine, ergocristine, and ergocryptine, formerly used medicinally for its oxytocic and adrenergic blocking effects but no longer used because of the variability of these effects.