[Demonstration and partial purification of a convulsant from Cnestis glabra (Connaracea): effect on cells in culture]

A dialysable and thermostable compound was partially purified from Cnestis glabra (Connaracea) seeds. It is insoluble in organic solvents. At a dose corresponding to 0.5 g of seeds it has a lethal effect on mice after convulsive attacks. Sodium dipropylacetate, an anticonvulsive agent prevents the convulsions but not the death of the animals. The toxic compound inhibits protein synthesis in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate and in hepatoma tissue culture; moreover in the cell culture, the incorporation of thymidine into DNA is inhibited.