veratrine

Veratrine is a **mixture of alkaloids** obtained primarily from the seeds of *Schoenocaulon officinale* (sabadilla), and historically sometimes from other plants in the Veratrum genus. This mixture contains mostly **cevadine** and **veratridine**, along with other minor alkaloids. It appears as a white or greyish-white powder, very slightly soluble in water but more soluble in solvents like alcohol, ether, and chloroform[1][5]. Veratrine is **not a single, well-defined compound**, but rather an amorphous, variable mixture[1]. Its pharmacological actions are primarily due to **interaction with voltage-gated sodium channels**, leading to increased nerve and muscle excitability, tingling, and numbness when applied topically, and potentially causing severe toxic effects with systemic exposure[1][2][4]. Veratrine has been used **externally for neuralgia** as an analgesic and counterirritant, and as a **parasiticide** (notably for lice), but is largely obsolete in medical use due to its **toxicity**[1][2][4]. It continues to find use as a **botanical insecticide** due to its neurotoxic actions on pests[4]. Internally, its use is considered unsafe because of severe irritant and toxicological effects.

Other names

veratrinaveratrinum