Analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of brucine and brucine N-oxide extracted from seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica.

The anti-tumor effects of alkaloids from the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica on HepG2 cells and its possible mechanism

Processing methods and mechanisms for alkaloid-rich Chinese herbal medicines: A review.

Asian Journal of Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics

The genus Strychnos is very well known as the plants providing one of the most famous poisons, which is logically called strychnine. The pantropical Strychnos genus comprises about 200 species in the world. In China, Semen Strychni is used generally after processing (such as parching in a sand bath) to reduce its toxicity. Ethnopharmacologically, the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica L. is used in the traditional Chinese medicine. The dried seeds of this plant are used for relieving pain, promoting blood circulation and curing indigestion. They are included as an ingredient in many analgesic prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine. In Africa and in Asia, Strychnos genus is important for its reputation as a remedy against snakebites and poisonings. In West and Central Africa, Strychnos species are a major group of arrow poison adjuvants. In Europe, S. nux-vomica came early as seeds and later its wood was imported as a ‘lignum colubrinum’; they were used in the treatment of a variety of ailments and subsequently the seeds of this Strychnos have been the main source of the alkaloid strychnine. Alkaloids are the main bioactive ingredients in Strychnos nux-vomica; they are also responsible for the pharmacological and toxic properties possessed by Strychnos nux-vomica. In this review paper, we introduced the ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology, chemical, pharmacological, pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, metabolomic and toxicological studies, and clinical response of Strychnos nux-vomica L. and its alkaloids.

Research on bioresponse of active compounds of Strychnos nux-vomica L.

The contents of strychnine, brucine, isostrychnine and isobrucine in different processed products of Strychnos nux-vomica were determined by TLC-densitometry. The relationship of the contents of strychnos alkaloids with processing methods was studied.

C Z Zhao

Papers

[Effect of processing on the alkaloids in Strychnos nux-vomica L].