eserine

drug

Also known as: physostigmine

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Last updated

June 26, 2026

Quick Summary

Eserine, also known as physostigmine, is a drug that functions as an anticholinesterase. This means it prevents the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the nervous system. By increasing acetylcholine levels, eserine stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which can slow heart rate, lower blood pressure, and increase secretions.1

While it has limited clinical uses, such as aiding digestion and treating myasthenia gravis, anticholinesterases are also used to treat Alzheimer disease by helping to restore acetylcholine levels and slow cognitive decline. However, some anticholinesterases can be toxic and have dangerous side effects. Geneserine is a crystalline alkaloid related to physostigmine.12

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Percy Julian
…attention for synthesizing the drug physostigmine, used to treat glaucoma. He refined a soya protein that became the basis of Aero-Foam, a foam fire extinguisher used by the U.S. Navy in World War II. He led research that resulted in quantity production of the hormones progesterone (female) and testosterone (male)…
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…attention for synthesizing the drug physostigmine, used to treat glaucoma. He refined a soya protein that became the basis of Aero-Foam, a foam fire extinguisher used by the U.S. Navy in World War II. He led research that resulted in quantity production of the hormones progesterone (female) and testosterone (male)…
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anticholinesterase
Physostigmine and neostigmine are among the principal anticholinesterases. These drugs have only a few clinical uses, mainly in augmenting gastric and intestinal contractions (in treatment of obstructions of the digestive tract) and in augmenting muscular contractions in general (in the treatment of myasthenia gravis). Anticholinesterase…
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Physostigmine and neostigmine are among the principal anticholinesterases. These drugs have only a few clinical uses, mainly in augmenting gastric and intestinal contractions (in treatment of obstructions of the digestive tract) and in augmenting muscular contractions in general (in the treatment of myasthenia gravis). Anticholinesterase…
Read More