GELSEMINIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Gelseminic acid is a naturally occurring alkaloid compound that is found in the plant species Gelsemium sempervirens, commonly known as yellow jessamine or Carolina jessamine. It is a highly toxic substance that is primarily responsible for the plant's medicinal and toxic effects.
Chemically, gelseminic acid belongs to a class of organic compounds called indole alkaloids. It is a complex molecule that consists of an indole ring fused with a cyclohexene ring. It is known for its unique structure and potent pharmacological properties.
Gelseminic acid is most widely recognized for its ability to act as a powerful central nervous system depressant. It exerts its effects by binding to specific receptors in the brain, leading to sedation, respiratory depression, and muscle relaxation. These properties have made it historically valuable in traditional medicine for the treatment of conditions like neuralgia, anxiety, and spasms.
However, it is important to note that gelseminic acid is also extremely toxic and can cause severe poisoning if ingested in high doses. It can lead to paralysis, respiratory failure, and even death. Due to its potential for harm, the use and handling of gelseminic acid are highly regulated.
Overall, gelseminic acid is a complex alkaloid compound found in the yellow jessamine plant. It possesses both therapeutic and toxic effects, making it a molecule of significant interest in the fields of pharmacology and toxicology.
Common Misspellings for GELSEMINIC ACID
- felseminic acid
- velseminic acid
- belseminic acid
- helseminic acid
- yelseminic acid
- telseminic acid
- gwlseminic acid
- gslseminic acid
- gdlseminic acid
- grlseminic acid
- g4lseminic acid
- g3lseminic acid
- gekseminic acid
- gepseminic acid
- geoseminic acid
- gelaeminic acid
- gelzeminic acid
- gelxeminic acid
- geldeminic acid
- geleeminic acid
Etymology of GELSEMINIC ACID
The etymology of the word "Gelseminic Acid" can be broken down as follows:
1. Gelseminic: This term is derived from the genus name Gelsemium, which is a group of flowering plants in the family Gelsemiaceae. The genus name Gelsemium comes from the Greek words "gelsi", meaning "sweet" or "honey-like", and "sema", meaning "sign" or "mark". This name was given to the plants due to the sweet fragrance of their flowers.
2. Acid: The term "acid" comes from the Latin word "acidus", which means "sour". In chemistry, "acid" refers to a substance that typically has a sour taste and can react with other substances to form salts.
Therefore, "Gelseminic Acid" refers to a specific acidic compound or derivative that is associated with or derived from Gelsemium plants.
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