What is "cephaeline"

n. (context organic chemistry English) An alkaloid that induces vomiting, related to emetine.

Cephaeline is an alkaloid that is found in Cephaelis ipecacuanha and other plant species including Psychotria acuminata. Cephaeline induces vomiting by stimulating the stomach lining and is found in commercial products such as syrup of ipecac. Chemically, it is closely related to emetine.