User:Rvote3

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Erythrophleine[1]
Names
IUPAC name
(1S,4aR,4bS,7E,8R,8aS,9S,10aR)-Tetradecahydro-9-hydroxy-1,4a,8-trimethyl-7-[2-[2-(methylamino)ethoxy]-2-oxoethylidene]-1-phenanthrenecarboxylic acid methyl ester
Other names
  • Norcassamidine
Identifiers
Properties
C24H39NO5
Molar mass 421.6 g/mol
Appearance White, crystalline powder
Melting point 115
Miscible
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Erythrophleine is a complex

convulsions, urination, and vomiting.[4]

Mechanism of Action

Once ingested, erythrophleine primarily acts on the body by disrupting the

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.[6] This can have a number of compounding effects including weakened nerve signaling responses and inhibited ability to maintain cellular homeostasis.[7]

While the exact

foxglove.[10]


Use as an Ordeal Poison

Erythrophleine's primary use is as a toxin in ancient West African ordeal trials, called sassywood. The process has largely been outlawed, but due to the limited judicial infrastructure of some West African states, ordeal trials still take place with some regularity.[11] Some prominent economists have even argued that sassywood is a more effective substitute to Liberian courts, given the decrepit nature of the country's judicial system.[12]

The main trial consists of creating a poisonous brew derived from the bark of the sasswood tree and administering it to the accused. In order to create the drink, bark of the ordeal tree was simply scraped, powdered, added to water, and allowed to steep. However, many cultures added additional ingredients to the mixture that made the final recipe much more complicated.[4] Once consumed, if the defendant fails to throw up all of the poison before it enters their system, they are pronounced guilty and the poison likely kills them. On the other hand, if they manage to throw up all of the poison and maintain full control of their limbs, then they are cleared of any wrongdoing.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Erythrophleine". PubChem. NIH.
  2. ^ "PubMed Central". National Library of Medicine. NIH.
  3. ^ "Liberian Justice System". PRI. February 22, 2007.
  4. ^ a b Robb, George (March 18, 1957). "The Ordeal Poisons of Madagascar and Africa" (PDF). Harvard University Herbaria.
  5. PMID 33716756
    .
  6. ^ Bonting, Sjoerd (January 1964). "Studies of odium-potassium activated adenosine triphosphatase: VII-inhibition by erythrophleum alkaloids". Biochemical Pharmacology.
  7. ^ "CV Pharmacology | Cardiac Glycosides (Digitalis Compounds)". cvpharmacology.com. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
  8. ^ Hochster, R (1972). "Metabolic Inhibitors: A Comprehensive Treatise". Academic Press.
  9. PMID 27780131
    .
  10. PMID 21182478
    .
  11. ^ "Controversial Practices: Trial by Ordeal in Liberia". VOA. VOA News. October 10, 2009.
  12. ^ Leeson, Peter (February 15, 2012). "Sassywood" (PDF). Journal of Comparative Economics.
  13. ^ The ... Annual Report of the American Colonization Society ... The Society. 1850. pp. 39–40.
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