Cephaeline is a word that is hard to spell. It is pronounced /sɛfeɪlɪn/, which means it starts with a "s" sound followed by a short "e" sound. Then, it has a "f" sound followed by a long "a" sound. After that, there is a short "i" sound followed by another "n" sound. It might be confusing because there are two vowels together, but the "e" and "a" sounds are pronounced separately. Remembering this phonetic transcription will make spelling cephaeline much easier.
Cephaeline is a noun that refers to a naturally occurring alkaloid compound. It is derived from the roots and stems of certain plant species belonging to the Cephaelis genus, particularly Cephaelis ipecacuanha. This compound is primarily known for its medicinal properties and is an essential component in various pharmaceutical preparations.
Cephaeline possesses emetic and expectorant properties, making it effective in the treatment of respiratory ailments such as bronchitis, asthma, and chronic coughs. It acts by stimulating the bronchial glands to produce increased secretion, facilitating the expulsion of mucus and phlegm from the respiratory tract. Due to its potent emetic characteristics, cephaeline has been historically used as an emetic agent, inducing vomiting to rid the body of toxic substances or to empty the stomach in cases of accidental ingestion of harmful substances.
Furthermore, this compound has been extensively utilized in the production of anti-tussive drugs and cough syrups, where it aids in suppressing cough reflexes. However, the emetic side effects of cephaeline have led to the development of modified forms and derivatives of the compound with reduced emetic properties while still retaining their expectorant and anti-tussive effects.
In summary, cephaeline is a natural alkaloid compound derived from specific plant species. Its emetic and expectorant properties make it valuable in the treatment of respiratory conditions, acting as an expectorant and aiding in the expulsion of mucus. Nevertheless, its emetic effects have necessitated modifications in its use for therapeutic applications.
An alkaloid, C14H20NO2, derived from ipecac; it occurs in white silky needles; the hydrochloride is employed as an emetic in doses of gr. 1/12-1/2 (0.005-0.01).
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The etymology of the word "cephaeline" can be traced back to the combination of two elements: "cephal-" and "-ine".
The prefix "cephal-" originates from the Greek word "kephalē", meaning "head". This prefix is commonly used in words related to the head, brain, or skull.
The suffix "-ine" is a common suffix in organic chemistry that often designates an alkaloid or a chemical compound with nitrogen-containing ring structures.
Therefore, "cephal-" referring to the head and "-ine" indicating an alkaloid result in the term "cephaeline". This suggests that "cephaeline" is likely an alkaloid or a chemical compound associated with the head or brain.