Ergotamine

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	Ergotamine is an alkaloid created by the fungus ''Claviceps purpurea'' with the molecular formula C<sub>33</sub>H<sub>35</sub>N<sub>5</sub>O<sub>5</sub>.<sup>[http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/fluka/D6628?lang=en&region=CA]</sup> Along with other compounds in the ergot alkaloid family, it causes ergotism, also known as ergot poisoning, ''ignis sacer'', and St. Anthony's Fire, characterized by one of two sets of symptoms. Convulsive ergotism results in muscle spasms and seizures similar to lock jaw, as well as mental effects (mania and paranoia), gastrointestinal problems (vomiting, nausea, diarrhea), and others (headaches, numb limbs, and itching). Gangrenous ergotism causes the constriction of the vascular system, resulting in poor circulation and even the necrosis and separation of tissue.<sup>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1343691/]</sup>		Ergotamine is an alkaloid created by the fungus ''Claviceps purpurea'' with the molecular formula C<sub>33</sub>H<sub>35</sub>N<sub>5</sub>O<sub>5</sub>.<sup>[http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/fluka/D6628?lang=en&region=CA]</sup> Along with other compounds in the ergot alkaloid family, it causes ergotism, also known as ergot poisoning, ''ignis sacer'', and St. Anthony's Fire, characterized by one of two sets of symptoms. Convulsive ergotism results in muscle spasms and seizures similar to lock jaw, as well as mental effects (mania and paranoia), gastrointestinal problems (vomiting, nausea, diarrhea), and others (headaches, numb limbs, and itching). Gangrenous ergotism causes the constriction of the vascular system, resulting in poor circulation and even the necrosis and separation of tissue.<sup>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1343691/]</sup>
	===History===		===History===
-	Evidence of ergotism stretches back for millennia, as far back as the year 857 in ''Annales Xantenses''<sup>[http://archive.org/stream/annalesxantenses00arrauoft#page/n37/mode/2up]</sup> where an outbreak of gangrenous ergotism was recorded.	+	Evidence of ergotism stretches back for millennia, as far back as the year 857 in ''Annales Xantenses''<sup>[http://archive.org/stream/annalesxantenses00arrauoft#page/n37/mode/2up]</sup> where an outbreak of gangrenous ergotism was recorded. Even Earlier evidence was found in the intestines of a bog mummy, where traces of ergot infected rye was present. [http://journals1.scholarsportal.info.proxy.library.brocku.ca/tmp/13471874465266521388.pdf]

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Revision as of 19:05, 21 March 2013

Ergotamine

Ergotamine is an alkaloid created by the fungus Claviceps purpurea with the molecular formula C₃₃H₃₅N₅O₅.^[1] Along with other compounds in the ergot alkaloid family, it causes ergotism, also known as ergot poisoning, ignis sacer, and St. Anthony's Fire, characterized by one of two sets of symptoms. Convulsive ergotism results in muscle spasms and seizures similar to lock jaw, as well as mental effects (mania and paranoia), gastrointestinal problems (vomiting, nausea, diarrhea), and others (headaches, numb limbs, and itching). Gangrenous ergotism causes the constriction of the vascular system, resulting in poor circulation and even the necrosis and separation of tissue.^[2]

History

Evidence of ergotism stretches back for millennia, as far back as the year 857 in Annales Xantenses^[3] where an outbreak of gangrenous ergotism was recorded. Even Earlier evidence was found in the intestines of a bog mummy, where traces of ergot infected rye was present. [4]