Binding to glycine receptor

Strychnine, a very poisonous alkaloid to animals, binds to glycine receptors. Applications of strychnine can be considered only in clinical doses. Their purpose is to activate neurotransmitters in the spinal cord, which is generally suppressed by glycine. Strychnine competes only with glycine in the receptor. This alkaloid may be used to stimulate respiration and circulation in cases of physical weakness. Moreover, strychnine products are used in the treatment of eye and optic nerve disorders. Larger doses are lethal. 

Brucine (46), the dimethoxy derivative of strychnine, has an oral LD50 in rat of 1 mg/kg. Both strychnine and brucine quench singlet oxygen, bind to glycine receptors, and inhibit muscle lactate dehydrogenase (Wink, 1993). 

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