Chelidonine

/kɛˈlɪdənin/ noun

Definition

An alkaloid or toxic compound derived from celandine plants, sometimes studied for pharmaceutical or biological properties.

Etymology

Similar to chelidonin, from Chelidonium plus '-ine' suffix used for alkaloid compounds. The '-ine' ending is common in chemistry for nitrogen-containing organic bases.

Kelly Says

Chelidonine and similar alkaloids in celandine show antimicrobial activity in lab tests, suggesting that traditional herbalists' use of the plant for skin conditions and infections wasn't just folklore but actual biochemistry they couldn't explain!

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