Jervine is a steroidal alkaloid with molecular formula C₂₇H₃₉NO₃ which is derived from the plant genus Veratrum. Similar to cyclopamine, which also occurs in the genus Veratrum, it is a teratogen implicated in birth defects when consumed by animals during a certain period of their gestation.^{[citation needed]}

Jervine is a potent teratogen causing birth defects in vertebrates. In severe cases it can cause cyclopia and holoprosencephaly.^{[citation needed]}

Jervine's biological activity is mediated via its interaction with the 7 pass trans membrane protein smoothened. Jervine binds with and inhibits smoothened, which is an integral part of the hedgehog signaling pathways.^[1] With smoothened inhibited, the GLI1 transcription cannot be activated and hedgehog target genes cannot be transcribed.^{[citation needed]}