tubocurarine

Tubocurarine is a naturally occurring benzylisoquinoline alkaloid and the principal active component of curare, historically used as an arrow poison. It was first isolated in 1935 and became the prototypical non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent for use during surgery to induce skeletal muscle relaxation, particularly in abdominal procedures. Tubocurarine acts as a competitive antagonist at post-synaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) at the neuromuscular junction, preventing acetylcholine from activating these receptors and thereby inhibiting depolarization and muscle contraction. This blockade is reversible by increasing acetylcholine concentrations (e.g., with anticholinesterases like neostigmine). Due to its relatively long duration of action (30–60 minutes) and significant side effects, it has been largely replaced by safer agents such as rocuronium or atracurium. Tubocurarine is rarely used clinically today but remains important in pharmacological research[1][2][3][4][6].

Brand names

Tubocurarine chloride

Other names

tubocurarin(+)-tubocurarine