Tubocurarine

The Uses of Tubocurarine

Neuromuscular blocking agent.

Background

Tubocurarine is a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent and the first identified curare alkaloid. Curare is one of the names used to describe plant-derived poisons used by indigenous South Americans to coat the tips of hunting arrows and darts, which were typically derived from plants of the genera Chondrodendron and Strychnos. Tubocurarine is a benzylisoquinoline derivative and shares this structural backbone with a number of plant-derived alkaloids, including morphine and papaverine. It was first isolated by Harold King in 1935 and was used clinically to induce neuromuscular blockade during surgeries, particularly those involving the abdomen. Tubocurarine's clinical use was limited by its relatively long duration of action (30-60 minutes) and a number of significant side effects. Safer and more pharmacokinetically favorable non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers, such as rocuronium, have largely replaced the use of tubocurarine in the clinical setting.

Definition

ChEBI: A benzylisoquinoline alkaloid muscle relaxant which constitutes the active component of curare.

Metabolism

Not Available