Chemical Properties
Pale Yellow Solid
Uses
GABAA receptor antagonist.
Uses
Alkaloid naturally occurring in the d-form. Shows GABA antagonist activity.
Definition
ChEBI: Bicuculline is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid that is 6-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]isoquinoline which is substituted at the 5-pro-S position by a (6R)-8-oxo-6,8-dihydrofuro[3,4-e][1,3]benzodioxol-6-yl group. A light-sensitive competitive antagonist of GABAA receptors. It was originally identified in 1932 in plant alkaloid extracts and has been isolated from Dicentra cucullaria, Adlumia fungosa, Fumariaceae, and several Corydalis species. It has a role as an agrochemical, a central nervous system stimulant, a GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist, a neurotoxin and a GABAA receptor antagonist. It is an isoquinoline alkaloid, a member of isoquinolines and a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid.
General Description
Bicuculline is a convulsant alkaloid. It was originally isolated from the plant
Dicentra cucullaria.
Biological Activity
Classical GABA A antagonist.
Biochem/physiol Actions
(+)-Bicuculline acts as a competitive inhibitor of GABA liganding binding to the receptor.
Safety Profile
A poison by intraperitoneal route.When heated to decomposition it emits toxic vapors ofNOx.
Purification Methods
It crystallises from CHCl3/MeOH as plates. The crystals melt at 177o, then solidify and re-melt at 193-195o [Manske Canad J Research 21B 13 1943]. It is soluble in CHCl3, *C6H6, EtOAc but sparingly soluble in EtOH, MeOH and Et2O. [Stereochem: Blaha et al. Collect Czech Chem Commun 29 2328 1964, Snatzke et al. Tetrahedron 25 5059 1969, Pharmcol: Curtis et al. Nature 266 1222 1970, Beilstein 27 III/IV 1900].
