Compound Monograph
Sparteine
Sparteine is a quinolizidine alkaloid from broom and lupins, historically used as an antiarrhythmic and a chiral ligand in chemistry.
Classification
Sparteine is a quinolizidine alkaloid, part of the alkaloids class. Nitrogen-containing, often bitter and physiologically potent compounds — the group behind many of the strongest plant medicines and poisons.
Where Does It Come From? (3)
Sparteine is a naturally occurring quinolizidine alkaloid, found in Scotch broom, Lupins and 1 other source. It is flagged as toxic.
Research & Evidence
Sparteine is a quinolizidine alkaloid found in Scotch broom and various lupins. It has class I antiarrhythmic and oxytocic activity and was historically used in medicine, though it has largely fallen out of clinical use. In chemistry it is well known as a chiral ligand and base. Sparteine metabolism is also used as a probe for the CYP2D6 enzyme, since some people are poor metabolisers.
Toxicity & Safety
Sparteine is toxic in higher amounts, with cardiac and neuromuscular effects, which is part of why its therapeutic use declined. Plants containing it, such as broom and certain lupins, should not be ingested casually.