Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
STRYCHNOS NUX-VOMICA
Botanical Name —
Strychnos nux-vomica
L.
Synonyms —
S. lucida
Wall, ll,
S. vomica
St. Lag.
Family —
Loganiaceae
African Names —
Arabic: Bizrul gawzel mokway's
Description —
Nux vomica consists of the seeds of
Strychnos nux-vomica
L. and
S. ignatii
(Fam. Loganiaceae). Nux vomica
seeds, usually irregularly white pulp, are disk shaped, nearly flat,
umbonate, but occasionally are irregularly shaped and gray or greenish gray in color. It has a silky
surface that is characteristically covered by a dense mass of radiately arranged, closely pressed, out-
wardly directed lignified trichomes. It is 10 to 30 mm in diameter and 4 to 6 mm thick, with a round
or somewhat acute margin, raised hilum that is connected to the micropyle by a radial ridge. Nux
vomica seeds can be pried open to reveal a translucent, horny endosperm and central disk-shaped
cavity, which encloses an embryo adjacent to the micropyle.
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Pharmacological Studies —
The pharmacological activity of nux vomica seeds is determined
largely by the strychnine content of the plant. Strychnine is a competitive antagonist of the inhibi-
tory transmitter glycine at the postsynaptic sites and produces the characteristic “spinal” convul-
sions in high doses.
817
It is a potent CNS stimulant and has been used as a tonic and analeptic.
In India, powdered nux vomica seeds are used in the treatment of dyspepsia and nervous system
diseases, chronic dysentery, atonic diarrhea, paralytic and neuralgic affections, and male sexual
impotence.
980
Its bitter taste increases appetite, it has been incorporated in low concentrations in
proprietary products to stimulate the appetite, and it is used in the treatment of chronic constipation
because of gastrointestinal stimulant activity. Strychnine is employed in pharmacological investiga-
tion as a classical CNS stimulant.
Toxicity —
The biological utility of strychnine is limited by its serious toxicity. Fatalities from
accidental or deliberate poisoning by strychnine are well known, with the victims first suffering
severe muscle stiffness and spasm; clamping of the jaws before death results in the fixed grinning
expression known as “risus sardonicus,” and respiratory arrest occurs due to contraction of the
abdomen and the diaphragm.
205
Brucine is less toxic than strychnine but not as active.
SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM
Botanical Name —
Syzygium aromaticum
(L.) Merr. et Perry
