Fish berry: Full Drug Profile

Fish berry - General Information

A noncompetitive antagonist at GABA-A receptors and thus a convulsant. Fish berry blocks the gamma-aminobutyric acid-activated chloride ionophore. Although it is most often used as a research tool, it has been used as a CNS stimulant and an antidote in poisoning by CNS depressants, especially the barbiturates. [PubChem]

Pharmacology of Fish berry

Fish berry is a toxin obtained from the seeds of the shrub Anamirta cocculus. It is used as a central nervous system stimulant, antidote, convulsant, and GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) antagonist. It is a noncompetitive antagonist at GABA_A receptors and thus a convulsant. Fish berry blocks the GABA_Activated chloride ionophore. Although it is most often used as a research tool, it has been used as a CNS stimulant and an antidote in poisoning by CNS depressants, especially barbiturates.

Additional information about Fish berry

Fish berry Indication

Used internally for relieving respiratory distress. Also for use as an antidote in poisoning by CNS depressants, especially barbiturates.

Mechanism Of Action

Fish berry antagonizes the GABA_A receptor channel directly, which is a ligand-gated ion channel concerned chiefly with the passing of chloride ions across the cell membrane. Therefore picrotoxin prevents Cl^- channel permeability and thus promtes an inhibitory influence on the target neuron. Fish berry reduces conductance through the channel by reducing not only the opening frequency but also the mean open time. Fish berry also antagonizes GABA_C receptors (also called GABA_A-rho receptors) but the result of this action is not known. The GABA_C receptor is also linked to chloride channels, with distinct physiological and pharmacological properties. In contrast to the fast and transient responses elicited from GABA_A receptors, GABA_C receptors mediate slow and sustained responses.

Generic Name

Picrotoxin

Drug Category

Anti-barbituates; Stimulants; GABA receptor antagonists

Drug Type

Small Molecule; Approved

Other Brand Names containing Picrotoxin

Cocculin; Cocculine; Cocculus; Coques du levant; Fish berry; Indian berry; Oriental berry;

Toxicity (Overdose)

Oral, mouse: LD₅₀ = 15 mg/kg. In large doses it is a powerful poison, causing unconsciousness, delirium, convulsions, gastro-enteritis and stimulation of the respiratory centre followed by paralysis, from which death sometimes results.

Dosage Forms of Fish berry

Solution / drops Oral

Chemical Formula

C30H34O13

Picrotoxin on Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picrotoxin

Organisms Affected

Humans and other mammals