Ergot alkaloids
Ergot Alkaloids
Ergot Alkaloids (pronunciation: /ˈɜːrɡət ˈælkəˌlɔɪdz/) are a class of naturally occurring alkaloids derived from the fungus Claviceps purpurea, commonly known as the ergot fungus.
Etymology
The term "Ergot" is derived from the French word "argot" meaning "cock's spur", due to the resemblance of the fungus to a rooster's spur. The term "alkaloid" is derived from the Arabic word "al-qali" meaning "plant ashes", referring to the method of extraction.
Description
Ergot alkaloids are complex molecules that have a wide range of biological activities. They are known for their potent vasoconstrictor effects and have been used in medicine for a variety of purposes, including the treatment of migraine headaches and postpartum hemorrhage.
Related Terms
- Alkaloid: A class of naturally occurring organic compounds that mostly contain basic nitrogen atoms.
- Vasoconstrictor: A drug or other substance that constricts (narrows) blood vessels.
- Migraine: A type of headache characterized by severe pain on one side of the head and often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Postpartum hemorrhage: Excessive bleeding following childbirth.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ergot alkaloids
- Wikipedia's article - Ergot alkaloids
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski