A highly poisonous steroid glycoside from Atractylis gummifera L. (Compositae), having a strychnine-like action that produces convulsions of a hypoglycemic nature; the aglycon, atractyliginin, is combined with glucose and isovaleric acid, and is the toxic principle. Atractylic acid interferes with oxidative reactions, the citric acid cycle, and nerve conduction.