Strychnos Nux-vomica Seeds Research Articles

Alleviation of isoprenaline hydrochloride induced myocardial ischemia injury by brucine through the inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the most extensive manifestations of cardiovascular disease (CVD), associated with prolonged supply and demand blood oxygen imbalance to the heart muscle. The treatment of MI includes several conventional medicines which are beta-blockers and calcium antagonists. Though, these were reported to be either not efficient or associated with life threatening adverse effects. Brucine, the main alkaloid bioactive compound from Strychnos nux-vomica seeds, offers unique compatibility advantages in inflammatory diseases associated clinical practices. Thus, the present investigation was projected to explore the activity of brucine towards MI provoked by isoprenaline hydrochloride (ISO) in rats. The cardioprotective properties of brucine were evaluated via detecting the infarct size, serum cardiac marker enzymes (CK, CK-MB, cTnT, and cTnI), endogenous antioxidants (CAT, SOD, GPx), and lipid peroxidation (TBARS and LOOH), inflammatory mediators (NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-6) and histopathological analysis. The results demonstrated, brucine effectively restored the infarct size by increasing the endogenous antioxidants and decreasing the status of TBARS and LOOH, marker enzymes and ameliorated the histopathological injuries. Brucine's cardioprotective effect might be associated with TNF-α, IL-6 signaling molecules activation, revealing its pharmacological actions.

Strychnos nux-vomica L. seed preparation promotes functional recovery and attenuates oxidative stress in a mouse model of sciatic nerve crush injury

BackgroundPeripheral nerve injury is a debilitating condition that may lead to partial or complete motor, sensory and autonomic function loss and lacks effective therapy until date. Therefore, it is quite imperative to explore impending remedies for rapid and accurate functional retrieval following such conditions. Natural product-based intervention can prove effective to facilitate the process of functions regain.MethodsHere, we investigated the effect of processed Strychnos nux-vomica seeds at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight in a mouse model of induced Sciatic nerve lesion in promoting the recovery of the functions. A compression injury was induced in the Sciatic nerve of the right leg in the mice. Sensory function recovery was evaluated by hot-plate and formalin tests, whereas the motor function retrieval was assessed by measuring muscle grip strength, sciatic functional index, and muscle mass restoration. Oxidative stress and blood cell count were measured by biochemistry and haematological analyses.ResultsThis study indicates that Strychnos nux-vomica seeds enhance the rate of recovery of both sensory and motor functions. It helps restore the muscle mass, attenuates total oxidant status and enhances the total anti-oxidant capacity of the biological system. Moreover, the treated animals manifested an enhanced glucose tolerance aptitude and augmented granulocyte and platelet counts. Improved oxidant control, enhanced glucose sensitivity and amended granulocyte and platelet counts are likely to contribute to the advantageous effects of Strychnos nux-vomica, and warrant further in-depth studies for deciphering possible mechanisms and identification of active constituent(s) responsible for these effects.ConclusionStrychnos nux-vomica seed offers functional recovery promoting effects following a mechanical injury to the Sciatic nerve and the possible reasons behind this effect can be reduced oxidative stress and improved glycaemic control. Further and detailed investigations can unravel this mystery.

Sensitive detection of brucine an anti-metastatic drug for hepatocellular carcinoma at carbon nanotubes – nafion composite based biosensor

A neoteric approach for the electrochemical analysis of brucine in biological environment has been developed. The glassy carbon electrode modified with single walled carbon nanotubes and nafion composite film is delineated for the first time to determine brucine employing square wave voltammetry. The quantification of brucine at physiological pH 7.2 manifests remarkable performance at the developed biosensor. The effect of several operational parameters has been studied in the present investigation. Under optimized conditions, a dynamic linear range from 1nM to 8µM with a high sensitivity of 340.8µAµM−1 and limit of detection corresponding to 0.11nM was achieved. The interfering effect of some coexisting metabolites on the current response of brucine has been reported. The method was successfully applied for the detection of brucine in traditional pharmaceutical formulations. The biological relevance of the present method has been demonstrated by the analysis of the alkaloid in human serum and urine samples. The analytical utility was further assessed by the selective determination of brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica seeds exhibiting considerable potential as a diagnostic tool.

Hyphenation of optimized microfluidic sample preparation with nano liquid chromatography for faster and greener alkaloid analysis

A glass liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) microchip with three parallel 3.5cm long and 100μm wide interconnecting channels was optimized in terms of more environmentally friendly (greener) solvents and extraction efficiency. In addition, the optimized chip was successfully hyphenated with nano-liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and mass spectrometric detection (nanoLC–UV–MS) for on-line analysis. In this system, sample pretreatment, separation and detection are integrated, which significantly shortens the analysis time, saves labor and drastically reduces solvent consumption. Strychnine was used as model analyte to determine the extraction efficiency of the optimized 3-phase chip. Influence of organic solvent, pH of feed phase, type of alkaloid, and flow rates were investigated. The results demonstrated that the 3-phase chip nanoLC–UV/MS hyphenation combines rapid (∼25s) and efficient (extraction efficiency >90%) sample prep, with automated alkaloid analyses. The method was applied to real samples including Strychnos nux-vomica seeds, Cephaelis ipecacuanha roots, Atropa belladonna leaves, and Vinca minor leaves.

Strychnos nux-vomica seeds: Pharmacognostical standardization, extraction, and antidiabetic activity

Background:Strychnos nux-vomica, commonly known as kuchla, contains strychnine and brucine as main constituents. Minor alkaloids present in the seeds are protostrychnine, vomicine, n-oxystrychnine, pseudostrychnine, isostrychnine, chlorogenic acid, and a glycoside. Seeds are used traditionally to treat diabetes, asthma, aphrodisiac and to improve appetite.Objective:The present study was aimed to evaluate the various pharmacognostical characters and antidiabetic activity of S. nux-vomica seed.Materials and Methods:Pharmacognostical characters were performed as per the WHO guideline. Extraction was carried out in petroleum ether, chloroform, alcohol, hydroalcoholic, aqueous, and phytochemical constituents present in extracts were detected by different chemical tests. Among these extracts hydroalcoholic, aqueous extracts were evaluated for antidiabetic activity on the basis of extractive yield and phytoconstituents, in alloxan-induced diabetic rats using gliclazide as standard.Results:Various analytical values of S. nux-vomica extract were established. Phytoconstituents present in S. nux-vomica extracts were detected.Conclusion:S. nux-vomica extracts show antihyperglycemic activity in experimental animals.

A New Method for the Simultaneous Analysis of Strychnine and Brucine in Strychnos nux‐vomica Unprocessed and Processed Seeds Using a Carbon‐paste Electrode Modified with Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotubes

Strychnos nux-vomica L. (Loganiaceae), widely used in folk medicine, is grown extensively in southern Asian countries. Its major bioactive constituents are strychnine and brucine, which are frequently used in traditional herbal medicines for treatment of nervous diseases, vomiting and traumatic pain. A new method using a carbon-paste electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT/CPE) was developed and validated for single or simultaneous determination of strychnine and brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica seeds. Additionally, an environmentally friendly method was successfully applied to reduce the levels of strychnine and brucine in seeds. Cyclic voltammetry, chronocoulometry and differential pulse voltammetry were used with multi-walled carbon nanotube modified carbon-paste electrodes. The peak currents increase linearly with the strychnine and brucine concentrations in the ranges of 50-1000 and 5-355 µ m, and the detection limits for strychnine and brucine were 0.43 and 0.28 µ m, respectively. Of the processing methods used, the greatest reduction in the strychnine and brucine levels was observed in samples processed using milk and saltwater. A new, sensitive and selective method was developed for the measurement of strychnine and brucine. This method was successfully applied to the determination of strychnine and brucine in unprocessed and processed Strychnos nux-vomica seed.

Determination of strychnine in strychnos nux-vomica crude and detoxified seeds by voltammetric method using a carbon paste electrode incorporated with gold nanoparticles

A new method using a carbon paste electrode modified with gold nanoparticles (GNPs/CPE) was developed and validated for determination of strychnine (ST) in Strychnos nux-vomica seeds. The modified carbon paste electrode consists of 24 nm-diameter colloidal gold nanoparticles resulting in an electrode that exhibits a significant catalytic effect toward the electrochemical oxidation of ST in a 0.2 M Britton-Robinson buffer solution (pH 7.0). The peak current increases linearly with the ST concentration within the molar concentration ranges of 8.00 × 10−6 to 3.50 × 10−5 M and 3.50 × 10−5 to 1.15 × 10−3 M. The detection limit (signal to noise > 3) for ST was found to be 4.6 × 10−7 M, respectively. In this work, voltammetric methods such as cyclic voltammetry, chronocoulometry and differential pulse voltammetry were used. The method was then successfully applied to the determination of ST in Strychnos nux-vomica crude and detoxified seeds

Use of <i>Strychnos nux-vomica</i> (Azraqi) seeds in unani system of medicine: role of detoxification

Some plants used in Unani system of medicine are toxic, even deadly poisonous. The drugs having such plants as their components are detoxified before they are dispensed to the patients. One such drug, capsule Hudar, has Strychnos nux-vomica L. (Azraqi) seeds as one of its components and is very effectively used to elevate blood pressure. Ancient manuscripts describe many methods of its detoxification. It has been found that the detoxification processes studied reduce the strychnine content, as determined either by using uv-vis spectrophotometer or HPLC, present in Strychnos nux vomica seeds which is responsible for Strychnos nux vomica toxicity. The decrease in strychnine amount was best when the seeds were immersed for detoxification in excess of water for 5 days, in milk for 2 days followed by their boiling in milk. Strychnine in small amounts has been reported to give subjective feeling of stimulation.

Hydrophilic-Interaction Chromatography with UV Detection for Analysis of Strychnine and Brucine in the Crude Seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica and Their Processed Products

An easy and rapid method based on hydrophilic-interaction chromatography has been developed and validated for measurement of two major alkaloids, strychnine and brucine, in Strychnos nux-vomica plant seeds and preparations. The seeds were processed in different ways. Separation was performed at ambient temperature on a carbohydrate column with acetonitrile–water 90:10 (v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min−1. Detection was at 254 nm. Calibration plots were linear over the range 0.1–200 μg mL−1 for both compounds. Average recoveries of strychnine and brucine from spiked samples were 99.9 and 98.5%, respectively.

Ayurvedic processed seeds of nux-vomica: Neuropharmacological and chemical evaluation

The effect of detoxification on Strychnos nux-vomica seeds by traditional processing with aloe and ginger juices (B), by frying in cow ghee (C), and by boiling in cow milk (D) was investigated. The ethanolic extracts of these samples were subjected to spontaneous motor activity (SMA), pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis, PTZ induced convulsions, diazepam-assisted protection, and morphine-induced catalepsy. All samples reduced SMA and inhibited catalepsy. The seeds processed in milk (D) showed the lowest strychnine content in the cotyledons, exhibited marked inhibition of PTZ induced convulsions and maximal potentiation of hypnosis, and were the safest (LD 50).

Alkaloid profiling in crude and processed Strychnos nux-vomica seeds by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry

Direct analysis of alkaloids in the tissues of crude and processed Strychnos nux-vomica seeds by MALDI-TOFMS was described. The alkaloid profiles of the herb drugs were obtained without the need of complicated sample preparation to avoid potential damage or change of the active components. Seed tissues that were optimally sliced to a thickness of 10–20 μm from the crude and processed Strychnos nux-vomica seeds as well as various parts of tissue such as endosperm and epidermis were analyzed on MALDI target plate after the matrix was directly applied onto the tissue surface. The obtained alkaloid profiles provided valuable information for the differentiation of crude and processed Strychnos nux-vomica seeds and for the explanation of the significantly different toxicity. Experimental results indicated that the direct MALDI-TOFMS analysis allowed rapid screening of the alkaloid components in Strychnos nux-vomica seeds.

Effects of presowing treatments, desiccation and storage conditions on germination of Strychnos nux-vomica seeds, a valuable medicinal plant

Seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica have slow and erratic germination; thus different presowing treatments were applied to enhance the germination of its seeds collected from Tamaraikulam, Tamil Nadu, India. In addition, the effects of desiccation and different storage conditions on the germination of S. nux-vomica seeds were investigated. The results show that soaking in 500 ppm gibberellic acid (GA3) for 24 h, incubation of seeds at 40 °C for 3 days and alternate water soaking (16 h) and drying (8 h) for 14 days significantly increased the percentage germination compared to the control. Desiccation of seeds down to 10% moisture content resulted in better germination. Germination of S. nux-vomica seeds differed significantly between different storage periods, moisture contents of the seed and for first and second order interactions (p<0.001). The highest germination (92%) was achieved when seeds with 10% moisture content were stored at ambient temperature for 30 weeks. Evidence from the present study indicates that S. nux-vomica seeds possess physiological dormancy that can be broken effectively by after-ripening. As seeds of S. nux-vomica are found to be desiccation tolerant, dry seed (10% moisture content) can be hermitically stored at ambient temperature for 30 weeks without losing their viability.

Quantitative analysis of strychnine and Brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica using 1H-NMR.

A quantitative analysis using (1)H-NMR (Q-NMR) has been developed for the determination of strychnine and brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica seeds and stems. The advantages of the method are that no reference alkaloids are needed for calibration curves, the quantification could be directly realized on a crude extract, strychnine and brucine could easily be distinguished, an overall profile of the preparation (including non alkaloid compounds) could be directly obtained, and a very significant time-gain could be achieved, in comparison to conventional HPLC methods, for instance.

Determination of strychnine and brucine by capillary zone electrophoresis.

A procedure for quantitative estimation of strychnine and brucine in the extracts of Strychnos nux-vomica seeds by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was developed. The buffer solution used was 10mM phosphate buffer-MeOH (9:1), pH 2.5. The linear calibration range was 0.01-0.15 mg/ml. This method is useful for the qualitative and quantitative determination of strychnine and brucine in plant drug samples, as well as in human plasma.