Showing papers on "Strychnos nux-vomica published in 2009"

Strychnos nux‐vomica an eco‐friendly corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M sulfuric acid medium

Abstract: The inhibition efficiency of the extract of Strychnos nux-vomica for the corrosion of mild steel in 1 M sulfuric acid was investigated using weight loss test (carried out at 303–323 K), electrochemical measurement, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results of weight loss studies indicated that the inhibition efficiency increased with inhibitor concentration and the temperature of the system (following Temkin adsorption isotherm). Electrochemical studies proved that the inhibitor acts through mixed mode of inhibition and the inhibitor molecules adsorb on the metal–solution interface. SEM studies supported the adsorption of the inhibitor over the metal surface. The possible active ingredient responsible for the anticorrosion effect is identified as brucine which is isolated and screened for the anticorrosion effect using electrochemical studies and quantum chemical studies. The possible mode of corrosion inhibition of brucine is also derived using FT-IR studies.

A rare case of brucine poisoning complicated by rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure.

Abstract: Brucine is the predominant alkaloid present in the bark of the tree Strychnos nux vomica and is a weaker alkaloid when compared to strychnine. However, its toxicological property is akin to strychnine. We report a rare case of brucine poisoning complicated by acute renal failure and rhabdomyolysis. A 24-year-old male presented with a history of consumption of a decoction made from the bark of the Strychnos nux vomica tree. Soon after, he developed widespread muscle spasms and convulsions, which were promptly treated. On the fifth day of admission, he developed features of rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. Investigations revealed elevated creatine phosphokinase levels and elevated blood urea and serum creatinine. The patient was managed with hemodialysis and recovered gradually. There are many reports of strychnine poisoning producing rhabdomyolysis and renal failure. In this case report, attention is drawn to the fact that brucine, although a weaker alkaloid, can also produce life threatening complications like rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure.

Intestinal permeability of antitumor alkaloids from the processed seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica in a Caco-2 cell model.

Abstract: The uptake and intestinal permeability of the seven alkaloids strychnine (Str), brucine (Bru), beta-colubrine (Col), strychnine N-oxide (S-N), brucine N-oxide (B-N), pseudostrychnine (Psd), and icajine (Ica), which were isolated from the processed seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica L., were investigated in the human intestinal Caco-2 model. Determination of compounds was carried out by HPLC. The apparent permeability coefficients ( P(app)) for Str, Bru, Col, S-N, B-N, Psd, and Ica in the apical-to-basolateral direction were (3.11 +/- 0.17) x 10(-5), (1.67 +/- 0.65) x 10(-5), (2.67 +/- 0.30) x 10(-5), (0.17 +/- 0.01) x 10(-5), (0.35 +/- 0.02) x 10(-5), (2.51 +/- 0.33) x 10(-5), and (2.61 +/- 0.34) x 10(-5) cm/s, respectively. In the concentration range of 10-200 microM, Str, Bru, Col, and Psd showed substantial concentration-dependent transport across the monolayers. The transports of all seven alkaloids were linear with time and showed moderate to high permeabilities. In the presence of 2,4-dinitrophenol or sodium azide, the P(app) of Ica was reduced significantly in both the apical-to-basolateral and basolateral-to-apical directions. The dominant mechanism of the intestinal absorption for Str, Bru, Col, S-N, B-N, and Psd was passive diffusion, while it was partially ATP dependent for Ica.

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

Abstract: 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.

Determination of Content and Encapsulation Efficiency of Liposomes Containing Total Alkaloids from Seed of Strychnos nux-vomica L.

Abstract: Objective To establish the method to determine the content and encapsulation efficiency of liposomes containing total alkaloids from seed of Strychnos nux-vomica L.Methods The total alkaloids were extracted from seeds of Strychnou nux-vomica L.and the content was analyzed.Liposomes containing the total alkaloids were prepared by ammonium sulfate transmembrane gradients.The total alkaloid content of dissolved liposomes was determined by UV spectrophotometry at 254 nm,which was performed with strychnine as the reference substances.The encapsulated and free drugs were separated with Sephadex G-50 column,and then their contents were determined to calculate the encapsulation efficiency.Results The average extracted efficiency of total alkaloids from seed of Strychnos nux-vomica L.was 3.49 %.Strychnine and brucine accounted for 46.76 % and 26.51 % in the extract,respectively.Strychnine at the concentration of 2.4-20 μ g/mL had a good linear relationship with the absorbance.The recovery of strychnine was in the range from 96.66 % to 102.62 %.The recovery of Sephadex G-50 column was(100.85± 0.79) %(n=3).Conclusion The established method is simple,accurate and stable,and can be used for the quality control of liposomes containing total alkaloids from seed of Strychnos nux-vomica L.

Toxicity studies on a Unani herbal formulation "Capsule Hudar" in albino rats

Abstract: Capsule Hudar, a very effective compound formulation of Unani System of Medicine, contains Azraqi (Strychnos nux vomica) a deadly poison as one of its constituents. However, it (Strychnos nux vomica) is detoxified, using a classical crude method, before its use to prepare the drug. Results on the evaluation of the drug at dose rate of 5 mg/kg body weight, orally as aqueous extract for 60 days in either sex for its toxicity in Wistar albino rats (150 ± 10g body weight) did not show any significant change in the blood glucose, blood urea and blood urea nitrogen and serum albumin and proteins levels. The activities of GOT/GPT and ACP/ALP levels in serum, brain, kidney, liver and spleen were also not significantly different when compared to controls.

Effect of purificatio" (sodha"a) o" the acute toxicity of seeds of "uxvom ica

Abstract: Summary The Sodhana (Detoxification/Purification) process occupies an important part in the traditional ayurvedic system of medicine in India. The sodhana processes are used to remove visha or toxic substances from various medicinal substances. The sodhana process performed in three stages for nux vomica seeds. In the present investigation, Strychnos nux vomica Linn. seeds are detoxified by subjected to sodhana process by keeping in cow’s urine for 7 nights and they are subjected to swedana (seeds are boiled in cow’s milk for 3 hours). Then the seed coat and embryo are removed. Further roasted with cow’s ghee and powdered. The purpose of sodhana is to reduce toxicity by reducing the toxic alkaloids, toxic glycosides by treatment with cow's urine.Then seeds are boiled with cow's milk and roasted with cow's ghee to eliminate irritant trichomes on the surface of seeds so that the powder drug can be swallowed safely and also easy to make the seed powder. In the present study, the impact of the sodhana on the acute toxicity of the seeds is verified and it is found that the LD 50 of unprocessed nux vomica seed powder is 256mg/kg and sodhana processed seed powder LD 50 is 2600mg/kg. The acute toxicity of the sodhana processed product is significantly reduced (about 1/10 th ) when compared to unprocessed seed powder LD 50 . It would be worthwhile to determine the major alkaloids strychnine and brucine content in the unprocessed and sodhana processed seed powder and screening the biological activities in order to understand the significance of the sodhana process of the seeds of nux vomica for its safety and efficacy as Ayurvedic medicinal preparation.