Emetine (Ipecac Isoquinoline Alkaloid · Emetic · Amoebicidal · Antiviral Research)
| Compound | Emetine |
| Chemical class | Alkaloid — Isoquinoline (Benzo[a]quinolizine; ipecac primary alkaloid) |
| CAS | 483-18-1 |
| Primary source | Cephaelis ipecacuanha (ipecac root, 1–3% alkaloid content) |
| Key applications | Potent emetic, amoebicidal, antiviral (SARS-CoV-2 preclinical); cardiotoxic at therapeutic doses; informational reference |
| Claim strength | High (as emetic); Moderate (amoebicidal); Informational only (supplement) |
| Typical form | Historical pharmaceutical (syrup of ipecac); not recommended for emesis induction; research compound |
| Buy from Herbuno | ipecacuanha Oil Soluble Extract - Cephaelis ipecacuanha → |
Name origin: From ipecac (the Brazilian-Portuguese shortening of ipecacuanha, a Tupí name meaning “roadside sick-making plant”). Emetine was isolated from ipecac root by Pierre-Joseph Pelletier and Joseph Magendie in 1817. It is the primary isoquinoline alkaloid of Cephaelis ipecacuanha root and the compound responsible for ipecac’s emetic properties. Historical pharmaceutical significance: Syrup of ipecac was a household emesis-induction agent for accidental poisoning management from approximately 1965–2003 — recommended by poison control centres for home use in accidental ingestion of toxic substances. In 2003, the American Academy of Pediatrics reversed this recommendation after evidence showed that ipecac-induced emesis does not improve outcomes and may delay more effective treatments. Syrup of ipecac has been withdrawn from most markets and is no longer recommended by poison control authorities. Pharmacology: Emetine produces emesis via two mechanisms: (1) direct local gastric irritation activating vagal afferents to the vomiting centre; (2) systemic absorption with action on the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ). Its amoebicidal mechanism involves inhibition of protein synthesis in Entamoeba histolytica (inhibition of the 80S ribosomal translocation step). This protein synthesis inhibition mechanism is shared by emetine’s antiviral activity. Cardiotoxicity: Emetine accumulates in cardiac muscle and causes cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and heart failure — limiting its therapeutic use. Therapeutic courses for amoebiasis required medical monitoring for cardiac toxicity. Dehydroemetine (a semi-synthetic analogue) has lower cardiotoxicity and was preferred for anti-amoebic treatment. Supplement status: Emetine is a pharmaceutical compound with significant toxicity; not a dietary supplement. Ipecac oil soluble extract (Herbuno) has traditional/Unani applications; medical supervision required for any internal use.
Emetine — Pharmacological and Research Context
Anti-amoebic mechanism — protein synthesis inhibition: Emetine inhibits the translocation step of protein synthesis at the 80S ribosome — blocking eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2)-dependent movement of the ribosome along mRNA. This mechanism is shared with cycloheximide (another eukaryotic protein synthesis inhibitor). The amoebicidal selectivity reflects higher drug accumulation in Entamoeba trophozoites relative to host cells. Metronidazole has replaced emetine for amoebiasis treatment due to better tolerability. Pharmacological reference.
Antiviral activity — protein synthesis inhibition mechanism: Emetine’s broad eukaryotic ribosome inhibition has attracted attention as a potential broad-spectrum antiviral — viruses hijack host ribosomes for protein synthesis, making ribosome inhibitors potentially antiviral. In COVID-19 research, emetine (and the related compound cephaeline) showed in vitro SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory activity at low micromolar concentrations. Clinical translation is severely limited by emetine’s cardiotoxicity. Safer protein synthesis inhibitor derivatives are under investigation for antiviral applications. Claim strength: Emerging (in vitro; severe toxicity limits clinical translation).
Herbuno ipecacuanha extract context: The Herbuno Cephaelis ipecacuanha oil soluble extract is available as a traditional ingredient. Emetine content in the extract should be quantified by HPLC CoA. Traditional Unani and Ayurvedic applications for ipecac include use as an expectorant at very low doses (below emetic threshold — ipecac at sub-emetic doses has expectorant properties) and for specific hepatic amoebic conditions under medical supervision. The extract is not appropriate for self-medication or supplement formulation without expert guidance.
ipecacuanha Oil Soluble Extract - Cephaelis ipecacuanha →
Browse Standardised Extract Powders →
Dosage & Formulator Specification
Not formulated as a supplement. Historical pharmaceutical emetic dose: 15–30 mL syrup of ipecac (delivering approximately 21 mg emetine + cephaeline). Anti-amoebic therapeutic dose: 60 mg emetine/day IM for 10 days — associated with significant cardiotoxicity requiring ECG monitoring. Sub-emetic expectorant dose: very low concentrations in historical expectorant preparations. For research applications, emetine HCl is available as analytical standard. Any use of Herbuno ipecacuanha extract in formulations requires quantification of emetine and cephaeline content, with appropriate safety thresholds.
Frequently Asked Questions — Emetine
Why was syrup of ipecac withdrawn from poison control recommendations?
Multiple systematic reviews and clinical studies failed to demonstrate that ipecac-induced vomiting improved outcomes in accidental poisoning. Key problems: (1) ipecac removes only 30–50% of stomach contents at best; (2) vomiting prevents administration of activated charcoal (more effective for many ingestions); (3) ipecac causes prolonged vomiting that delays emergency department treatment; (4) the belief that induced vomiting always helps led to inappropriate use in intentional overdoses and caustic ingestions where vomiting is contraindicated. The 2003 AAP policy reversal and 2004 American Association of Poison Control Centres recommendation against home ipecac use effectively ended its role in toxicology.
Is emetine dangerous because of its cardiac effects?
Yes — emetine accumulates in cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle due to its amphipathic structure and high affinity for intracellular compartments. It inhibits protein synthesis in cardiac myocytes, causing progressive cardiomyopathy with repeated dosing. ECG changes (QT prolongation, T-wave changes) occur during anti-amoebic treatment courses. Rare cases of fatal cardiomyopathy occurred with repeated therapeutic courses. This cardiotoxicity, combined with the availability of safer anti-amoebic drugs (metronidazole, tinidazole), eliminated emetine from routine clinical use.
What is cephaeline and how does it relate to emetine?
Cephaeline is the O-desmethyl analogue of emetine — one of the two primary ipecac alkaloids alongside emetine. It has similar emetic and amoebicidal properties but different relative potency. Syrup of ipecac contained a mixture of emetine and cephaeline (total alkaloid content approximately 1.4 mg/mL). Cephaeline is considered more potent per gram than emetine for some activities but has similar cardiotoxicity concerns. Both are present in Herbuno’s ipecacuanha extract.
What legitimate uses remain for ipecacuanha extract?
Traditional Unani and Ayurvedic medicine uses ipecacuanha root preparations as an expectorant (sub-emetic doses — emetine has mucokinetic properties below the emetic threshold) and for dysenteric amoebic conditions under practitioner supervision. In homeopathic medicine, diluted ipecacuanha preparations are used for nausea and respiratory conditions. In Western herbalism, very low-dose ipecac preparations remain part of historical expectorant formulations in some markets. None of these is a mainstream or evidence-based application by modern standards.
Related compounds: Narceine, Noscapine, Colchicine, Lycorine
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
← HerbIQ Compound Index · HerbIQ P02: Extraction · HerbIQ P03: Delivery