Erythrophleine
chemical compound
Erythrophleine is a complex alkaloid and ester of tricyclic diterpene acids derived from many of the plants in the genus Erythrophleum. A highly toxic compound, it is most commonly known for its use in West African trials by ordeal. Exposure to erythrophleine can quickly lead to ataxia, dyspnea, heart paralysis, and sudden death. Visible effects of erythrophleine poisoning include induced terror, labored and irregular breathing, convulsions, urination, and vomiting.
Mechanism of action
Once ingested, erythrophleine primarily acts on the body by disrupting the nervous system. It does this by inhibiting Na-K ATPase, an enzyme that breaks down ATP to generate an electric potential by moving sodium and potassium ions against their concentration gradient. In vertebrates, this potential is used to transmit signals across neural synapses. Normally, sodium-potassium pumps move potassium ions into the nerve cell and sodium ions out, but studies have shown that exposure to erythrophleine reduces this action dramatically. This can have a number of compounding effects including weakened nerve signaling responses and inhibited ability to maintain cellular homeostasis.
While the exact mechanism of this process is unknown, it is likely similar to that of cardiac glycosides.
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