What does veratrine mean?
Veratrine is a highly toxic steroidal alkaloid associated with plants of the genus Veratrum, especially white hellebore (Veratrum album). It was formerly used as a cardiac stimulant, but its dangerously narrow range between medicinal and poisonous effects led to its abandonment in routine medicine. In modern chemical and toxicological usage, “veratrine” can denote a mixture of closely related steroidal alkaloids, with veratridine among the principal constituents. The term appears in poison-control reports, descriptions of accidental or deliberate poisoning, analytical testing, and historical pharmacology rather than ordinary conversation. It should not be confused with the plant itself: veratrine is poisonous chemical material obtained from Veratrum species, not another name for white hellebore. Although white hellebore has long been associated with both medicine and poison, recognizing veratrine helps explain the plant's historical toxicity and why handling Veratrum material requires specialist knowledge.
nounA poisonous steroidal alkaloid obtained from plants of the genus Veratrum, especially white hellebore, and formerly used in medicine as a cardiac stimulant. The name can also refer to a mixture of related alkaloids, with veratridine among its principal constituents.
- A poisonous steroidal alkaloid or mixture of alkaloids obtained from Veratrum plants, particularly white hellebore, and historically used as a cardiac stimulant.
"The toxicologist identified veratrine in the powder recovered from the bottle."
"The toxicologist identified veratrine in the powder recovered from the bottle."
"Earlier physicians used veratrine as a cardiac stimulant, but its toxicity severely limited its usefulness."
Normally an uncountable noun in chemical and toxicological writing; a plural form is not generally used.
"The laboratory tested the sample for veratrine."
Veratrine turned the old warning that white hellebore is poisonous into a named, measurable toxin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of veratrine
The English word veratrine dates from the 19th century and was formed from Latin veratrum, a botanical term for hellebore. Latin veratrum came from Ancient Greek veratron, an old name for the hellebore plant. The same naming tradition is reflected in veratridine and in related words such as helleborin.
How veratrine is actually used
This is a specialized term used chiefly in toxicology, pharmacology, poison-control work, and analytical chemistry. It is not an everyday word, and modern references are more likely to concern poisoning or the analysis of Veratrum alkaloids than therapeutic use.
Easily confused with veratrine
Veratrine commonly denotes a mixture of steroidal alkaloids from Veratrum plants, whereas veratridine is an individual alkaloid and a major constituent of that mixture.