What is "sanguinarine"

Chelerythrine \Chel`e*ryth"rine\, n. [Gr. ? celandine + 'eryqro`s red.] (Chem.) An alkaloidal principle obtained from the celandine, and named from the red color of its salts. It is a colorless crystalline substance, and acts as an acrid narcotic poison. It is identical with sanguinarine. [1913 Webster] ||

n. (context organic compound English) A toxic benzylisoquinoline alkaloid found in the bloodroot (''Sanguinaria canadensis'') and certain other plants.

Sanguinarine is a toxic quaternary ammonium salt from the group of benzophenanthridine alkaloids. It is extracted from some plants, including bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), Mexican prickly poppy Argemone mexicana, Chelidonium majus and Macleaya cordata. It is also found in the root, stem and leaves of the opium poppy but not in the capsule.