Ergocornine
Ergocornine
Ergocornine (pronounced: er-go-corn-een) is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in the ergot fungus (Claviceps purpurea). It is one of the primary active constituents of ergot, alongside other ergopeptine alkaloids such as ergotamine and ergocristine.
Etymology
The term "Ergocornine" is derived from the Greek words ergon meaning "work" and kornē meaning "horn", referring to the horn-shaped appearance of the ergot fungus. The "-ine" suffix is commonly used in chemistry to denote a specific type of compound, in this case, an alkaloid.
Pharmacology
Ergocornine, like other ergot alkaloids, acts as a potent vasoconstrictor and has been used in the past for the treatment of various circulatory disorders. It is also known to stimulate the uterus, and has been used in obstetrics to induce labor or control postpartum hemorrhage.
Related Terms
- Ergotamine: Another ergot alkaloid with similar pharmacological properties to ergocornine.
- Ergocristine: An ergot alkaloid used in the treatment of migraines.
- Vasoconstrictor: A type of drug that narrows blood vessels, thereby increasing blood pressure.
- Uterus: A major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ.
See Also
- Ergotism: A condition caused by long-term ingestion or exposure to ergot-contaminated grains.
- Alkaloid: A class of naturally occurring organic compounds that mostly contain basic nitrogen atoms.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ergocornine
- Wikipedia's article - Ergocornine
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