yohimbinen.
/jə(ʊ)ˈhɪmbiːn/, U.S. /joʊˈhɪmˌbin/, /joʊˈhɪmbən/ Chemistry.
A compound which is obtained from the bark of the yohimbe tree ( Pausinystalia johimbe) and is an adrenergic blocking agent used in veterinary medicine to reverse sedation and (esp. formerly) in remedies for impotence in men. Also: any of a group of alkaloids which are stereoisomers of this.Yohimbine is an indole alkaloid with a pentacyclic molecule. Formula: C21H26N2O3.
ΚΠ
1897 Pract. Druggist May 79/1 Professor L. Spiegel has succeeded in isolating an alkaloid which he named yohimbin.
1898 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. 74 i. 679 An extract of the acid of the rind of the yohimbehe has been recommended as an aphrodisiac. Two substances named yohimbine and yohimbenine have been separated from it.
1906 C. W. Bonney tr. L. Casper Text-bk. Genito-urinary Dis. 589 More experience is necessary before judgment can be pronounced upon the recently introduced and highly recommended drug johimbine.
1927 Amer. Mercury July 373/1 Causing the actress playing the leading rôle to comport herself like a hoochie-coochie performer who had drunk a Seidel of yohimbin.
1957 E. Schlittler in R. E. Woodson et al. Rauwolfia iii. 69 On page 70 are the structures of the seven yohimbines which are presently well established and also some isomers..which have not yet been found.
1977 E. J. Trimmer et al. Visual Dict. Sex (1978) vi. 65 Yohimbine is incorporated in a preparation that many doctors prescribe for patients with loss of sexual desire and ability.
2004 J. Emsley Vanity, Vitality, & Virility (2006) iii. 92 There are chemicals that appear to act as aphrodisiacs, such as yohimbine, bromocriptine, and deprenyl.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2016; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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