ABSTRACT
Claviceps purpurea is a fungus that grows on the ears of rye (Secale cereale) and other cereal plants. Claviceps purpurea contains ergot alkaloids which are the cause of ergotism and the source of ergometrine which was previously of life-saving importance for stopping postpartum haemorrhage. The many active principles in ergot (ergot alkaloids) can also constrict the smooth muscle in blood vessels so severely as to obstruct blood flow and cause gangrene and convulsions. The contractions of the smooth muscle of the uterus provoked by ergot were so violent that the foetus could die because of inadequate maternal placental blood flow and the uterus could rupture, killing the mother from haemorrhage. Ergot alkaloids such as ergotamine have been used for the treatment of migraine since the 1920s. Longer-acting synthesised derivatives such as sumatriptan have also been used for migraine prophylaxis.
