alloxan

noun

al·​lox·​an ə-ˈläk-sən 

: a crystalline compound C₄H₂N₂O₄ causing diabetes mellitus when injected into experimental animals

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Alloxan, from all- (in Allantoin allantoin) + ox- (in Oxalsäure oxalic acid) + -an -an entry 3

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

alloxan

noun

al·​lox·​an ə-ˈläk-sən 

: a crystalline compound C₄H₂N₂O₄ causing diabetes mellitus when injected into experimental animals

also : one of its similarly acting derivatives

called also mesoxalylurea