Ergocryptine belongs to the lysergic acids and derivatives, a subclass of ergoline and derivatives within the organic compounds. With an average molecular weight of 575.70 g/mol, Ergocryptine is a heavy molecule. It has the chemical formula C32H41N5O5 and exists as a solid at room temperature. This exogenous compound is found in or released from 13 recorded sources across multiple sectors. These include healthcare, pharmaceuticals & veterinary products via medical devices; energy, oil & gas and industrial manufacturing & chemical processing through lubricants; food, food processing & cookware via food packaging; textiles, leather & furnishings including synthetic textiles and carpets and rugs; and electrical & electronic equipment, including cell phones, capacitors, wires and cables, batteries, and printed circuit boards. Recorded exposure routes for the compound include oral, inhalation, and touch.
In terms of biological activity, ergocryptine interacts with four recorded protein targets. It acts as an antagonist at the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor, specifically targeting the Alpha-1A adrenergic receptor (ADRA1A), Alpha-1B adrenergic receptor (ADRA1B), and Alpha-1D adrenergic receptor (ADRA1D). Additionally, ergocryptine acts as an agonist at the D(2) dopamine receptor (DRD2), which stimulates the release of dopamine.
belongs to the class of organic compounds known as ergopeptines. These are ergoline derivatives that contain a tripeptide structure attached to the basic ergoline ring in the same location as the amide group of the lysergic acid derivatives.
Oral, dermal, inhalation, and parenteral (contaminated drugs). (5)
Mechanism of Toxicity
Ergoline alkaloids tend to act as a group, producing complex and variable effects of partial agonism or antagonism at adrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic receptors. Variables relating to these effects are influenced by the agent, dosage, species, tissue, physiological, and endocrinological state, and experimental conditions. In particular, ergoline alkaloids have been shown to have the significant affinity towards the 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 serotonin receptors, D1 and D2 dopamine receptors, and alpha-adrenergic receptors. This can result in a number of different effects, including vasoconstriction, convulsions, and hallucinations. Ergometrine is also known to have a non-receptor specific oxytocic activity. (2, 3, 4)
No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Uses/Sources
Ergocryptine is an alkaloid of the ergoline family. Like other ergoline alkaloids, it occurs in various species of vines of the Convolvulaceae (morning glory) family and in some species of lower fungi. Ergocryptine is one of 3 similar peptides referred to as ergotoxine alkaloids, the other two being ergocristine and ergocornine. Ergotoxines prepared into their hihydroergotoxine mesylates, commonly known as ergoloid mesylates, are used in the symptomatic therapy of age-related dementia. (6, 3)
Minimum Risk Level
Not Available
Health Effects
Ingestion of ergoline alkaloids is known to cause the disease ergotism. Ergotism occurs in two forms, gangrenous and convulsive, likely depending on the different kinds and amounts of ergoline alkaloids present. (1)
Symptoms
Convulsive ergotism can cause painful seizures and spasms, diarrhea, paresthesias, itching, headaches, nausea and vomiting. Usually the gastrointestinal effects precede the central nervous system effects. As well as seizures there can be hallucinations and mental effects including mania or psychosis. Gangrenous ergotism causes dry gangrene as a result of vasoconstriction induced in the more poorly vascularized distal structures, such as the fingers and toes. Symptoms include desquamation, weak periphery pulse, loss of peripheral sensation, edema and ultimately the death and loss of affected tissues. (7)
Treatment
Treatment for ergotism consists of vasodilators, anticoagulants and low molecular weight dextrans. If necessary, a sympathetic nerve blockade may be carried out, such as brachial plexus blockade. Temporary sedation (e.g. haloperidol) will be necessary in hallucination and diazepam is used for convulsions. There is no specific antidote. (8)
