Veratridine is a steroid-derived alkaloid from plants in the Liliaceae family that functions as a neurotoxin by activating sodium ion channels. It is primarily obtained from the herb Veratrum and sabadilla seeds. It binds to intramembrane receptor site 2 and increases intracellular Ca2+ concentration. It acts by preferentially binding to activated Na+ channels causing persistent activation that leads to increased nerve excitability.
belongs to the class of organic compounds known as cerveratrum-type alkaloids. These are steroidal alkaloids containing the cevane (23-methyl-4- azahexacyclo[12.11.0.0^{2,11}.0^{4,9}.0^{15,24}.0^{18,23}]pentacosane) moiety, which is a six ring system. Cerveratrum alkaloids have 7-9 oxygen atoms and occur as free alkamines or esters of simple aliphatic or aromatic acids.
Veratridine is a steroid-derived alkaloid from plants in the Liliaceae family that functions as a neurotoxin by abolishing inactivation of sodium ion channels. It binds to intramembrane receptor site 2 and increases intracellular Ca2+ concentration. It acts by preferentially binding to activated Na+ channels causing persistent activation that leads to increased nerve excitability. (Wikipedia) The activation of the action potential Na+ ionophore by veratridine is time- and concentrationdependent and completely reversible. (1)
