Cassaine
Cassaine is a toxic compound found within the tree genus Erythrophleum. This genus has a range from Senegal to Sudan and Kenya in the east, and south to Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Cassaine was first isolated by the G. Dalma group in 1935 from the Erythrophleum guinneese tree. Since ancient times cassaine has been used as an ordeal poison by African tribes. It has also been utilized extensively as an arrow poison by the Casamance people of Senegal.
Structure
The structure of cassaine and other alkaloids found within the genus Erythrophleum are similar to the structure of cardiac glycosides. This similarity to cardiac glycosides accounts for the similarity in cardiac activity between cassaine and compounds such as digitoxin. Generally, the structure of cassaine and other Erythrophleum derivatives are considered N-alkylaminoethyl esters of tricyclic diterpene acids containing a perhydrophenanthrene skeleton.Mechanism of action
Cassaine's biological function stems from its ability to interact with Na+-K+ ATPase through its cardiotonic steroid binding site. The binding of cassaine to this site inhibits ATPase. Cassaine can be defined as a specific inhibitor of monovalent cation transport and of Na+-K+ ATPase; the result being an inotropic effect on cardiac muscle.Toxicity
Cassaine is highly toxic because it acts strongly on the function of the heart by affecting Na+-K+ ATPase. High doses can cause blood pressure problems, bradycardia, violent fits of vomiting, arrhythmia, and death.While used widely in Africa for various reasons, cassaine is usually utilized with other alkaloidal compounds from its parent tree. Since mixtures are usually used it is hard to directly gauge its toxicity from the use of these mixtures. Despite the difficulty, Some examples of the toxicity of several mixtures are available. For instance, the arrow poison used by the Casamance people of Senegal; it was found by that any hunter who accidentally cut themselves with a poisoned broad-head was seen to die soon, after violent fits of vomiting.
| Animal | |
| Guinea pig | 2.64 |
| Cat | 1.70 |
| Rat | 7.2 |
| Mouse | 2.05 |
The lack of widespread use and research in the western world has resulted in the a lack of information with regards to how toxic is to the human body.