FUNGI 13 



Ergotinine or Ergotine is a crystalline alkaloid and while soluble 

 in nearly all of the solvents for Ergotoxine it differs from this alka- 

 loid in being only sparingly soluble in cold alcohol, and the solutions 

 of its alkalies are partly converted. Its physiological action is rather 

 weak. The name Ergotine is applied to a variety of pharmaceutical 

 extracts which are generally prepared in such a way that they con- 

 tain mainly the amines and relatively little of the alkaloid. 



Para-hydroxyphenylethamine is closely related to epinephrine 

 in structure and action. It is mainly responsible for the pressor 

 effect, and is not concerned in the uterine action. 



Beta-iminazolylethylamine (4-meta-aminoethylglyoxaline), lowers 

 the blood-pressure, and stimulates the excised uterus power- 

 fully. 



A number of other aromatic amines occur casually, such as agma- 

 tine (guanidobutylamine), which has a weak stimulant action on the 

 excised uterus, isoamylamin, etc. 



These aromatic amines are also produced in the putrefaction 

 of meat and in the intestinal tract, and have been prepared syn- 

 thetically. They are derived from the amido-acids by the elimina- 

 tion of carbon dioxide; para-hydroxyphenyl-ethyl-amine from 

 tyrosine; beta-iminazolyl-ethyl-amine from histidine; agmatine 

 from arginine; isoamylamine from leucine. 



It will be seen that several of the constituents exert uterine actions, 

 and it is not yet known which of these is the most important in the 

 effects of the crude drug. The galenic preparations vary in composi- 

 tion according to the solvent used. The alcoholic fluid extract prob- 

 ably owes its activity mainly to ergotoxine; the aqueous preparations, 

 including the solid extracts and " ergotines," owe theirs probably 

 to the amines, particularly to histamine. The isolated principles 

 have not been used sufficiently for it to be said whether or not they 

 can take the place of the natural mixture. 



All ergot preparations, especially those containing water, deteri- 

 orate with age. It would, therefore, be of advantage to standardize 

 the ergot preparations. Because of the complex composition, no 

 satisfactory chemical assay has been devised. Different methods of 

 bio-assay have been proposed ; but because of the multiplicity of the 

 actions, it is not certain how perfectly these tests reflect- the thera- 

 peutic efficiency of the drug. The cock's comb method is the most 

 widely employed. It has at least a negative value, for samples which 

 do not respond to this test may be considered worthless. 



Allied Plants. Ergot is also found on other cereals, as wheat, 

 barley and rice and wild grasses, as quack grass (Triticum). 



