noun
(also galanthamine)
Pharmacology An alkaloid, isolated from a species of snowdrop (Galanthus woronowii) and from related plants, which acts as a selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and is used especially in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Galantamine has a tetracyclic structure including a seven-membered ring. Formula: C₁₇H₂₁NO₃.
Origin
1950s. From scientific Latin Galanthus, genus name of the snowdrop (LinnaeusSpecies plantarum I. 288) + amine, originally after Russian galantamin.
Are You Learning English? Here Are Our Top English Tips