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How does Strychnos nux-vomica work as a nerve tonic?
Strychnos nux-vomica contains strychnine and brucine as primary active compounds. Strychnine acts as a competitive antagonist at glycine receptors in the spinal cord, blocking inhibitory neurotransmission. This produces CNS stimulation and increased motor neuron excitability. At minute, detoxified doses used in Ayurveda, this mechanism may enhance nerve signaling and muscle responsiveness, supporting its traditional use in paralysis rehabilitation. Evidence level: C.
Is Strychnos nux-vomica safe during pregnancy?
No, Strychnos nux-vomica is unsafe during pregnancy. Strychnine and brucine can cross the placenta and may cause fetal harm, including convulsions and potential fetal death. The uterine stimulation properties may also trigger premature labor. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy should avoid all nux-vomica preparations. Evidence level: C.
What is the safe dosage of Strychnos nux-vomica?
Strychnos nux-vomica should ONLY be used in properly detoxified (shodhit) Ayurvedic preparations under qualified practitioner supervision. Traditional Ayurvedic texts specify minute doses, typically measured in milligrams of processed seed material. The therapeutic window is extremely narrow, and self-medication is strictly contraindicated. Raw seeds are potentially lethal and should never be used internally. Evidence level: Traditional.
Does Strychnos nux-vomica interact with medications?
Yes, Strychnos nux-vomica may interact with CNS-stimulating medications, causing additive stimulation and increased seizure risk. Concurrent use with drugs that lower seizure threshold, such as certain antidepressants and antipsychotics, is particularly dangerous. Strychnine is metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, so medications affecting these pathways could alter strychnine levels. Professional guidance is essential for any combination. Evidence level: C.
Why are raw nux-vomica seeds dangerous?
Raw Strychnos nux-vomica seeds contain high concentrations of strychnine, a potent neurotoxin. Ingestion causes uncontrolled muscle contractions, spinal rigidity, convulsions, respiratory failure, and death. There is no safe home preparation method. Ayurvedic shodhit (detoxification) processes reduce strychnine content, but must be performed by trained practitioners. Self-treatment with raw seeds has caused numerous documented fatalities. Evidence level: C.
What is Strychnos nux-vomica used for in Ayurveda?
In Ayurveda, properly detoxified Strychnos nux-vomica seeds are traditionally used as a nerve tonic, for paralysis rehabilitation, as a digestive stimulant, and as an aphrodisiac. Homeopathic preparations use highly diluted forms for various conditions. The raw seeds are never used internally due to lethal strychnine content. All internal uses require professional guidance and properly processed preparations. Evidence level: C.
Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed
Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.
Compilé à partir de 28 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b
Résumé
Strychnos nux-vomica is an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia, India, and Australia, whose seeds are used in traditional and homeopathic medicine [PMID:28120207, PMID:37011123]. It contains highly toxic alkaloids, primarily strychnine and brucine, which limit its clinical application [PMID:37011123, PMID:32308621].
Contexte
Strychnos nux-vomica L. belongs to the genus Strychnos of the family Loganiaceae and grows in Sri Lanka, India, and Australia [PMID:29298518]. The traditional medicinal component is the seed, often referred to as Nux vomica [PMID:29298518].
Usages traditionnels
Traditionally used in Chinese, Tibetan, and Unani medicine for conditions including neurodisorders, arthritis, vomiting, diabetes, asthma, as an aphrodisiac, to improve appetite, and to elevate blood pressure [PMID:28120207, PMID:25594733, PMID:22707864, PMID:21731158]. It is also used in homeopathic medicine for a wide range of conditions, including heart disease and cancer [PMID:37011123].
Composés actifs
The seeds contain over 84 compounds, including alkaloids (strychnine, brucine, protostrychnine, vomicine, n-oxystrychnine, pseudostrychnine, isostrychnine), iridoid glycosides (loganic acid and its acetylated derivatives), flavonoid glycosides, triterpenoids, steroids, and organic acids [PMID:29298518, PMID:22707864, PMID:14629997].
Mécanisme d'action
Strychnine and brucine act as central nervous system stimulants [PMID:28120207]. The herb is reported to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunomodulatory effects [PMID:33949930, PMID:29298518].
Preuves cliniques
Preuve DSciatic nerve crush injury
Processed S. nux-vomica seeds (250 mg/kg) promoted functional recovery and attenuated oxidative stress in a mouse model [PMID:32527244]
Preuve DEthanol intake
Nux MT and Nux 30c significantly reduced voluntary ethanol intake and increased water intake in rats [PMID:11327524]
Preuve CRheumatoid Arthritis
Strychni semen showed promising results through anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunomodulatory effects [PMID:33949930]
Preuve DMyasthenia Gravis
Network pharmacology and molecular docking suggest potential mechanisms for the prevention of Myasthenia Gravis [PMID:35795289]
Sécurité et effets indésirables
The plant is highly toxic due to strychnine and brucine [PMID:37011123]. Toxicity manifests as neuromuscular hyperexcitability, agitation, muscular spasms, convulsions, rhabdomyolysis, metabolic acidosis, and respiratory and cardiac arrest [PMID:37011123]. Animal studies in zebrafish and rats indicate potential liver and kidney toxicity [PMID:30277848, PMID:28459520, PMID:28648929]. However, ingestion has not been shown to cause serum aminotransferase elevations or liver injury in humans [PMID:37011123].
Synthèse des preuves
The evidence consists primarily of reviews, animal models, and toxicological studies. There is a lack of high-level human clinical trial data, although traditional use is documented and some homeopathic products are reported to contain negligible amounts of toxic alkaloids [PMID:34181973].
Sources PubMed
1.PMID: 37011123 (2012) — Osler on migraine. · The Canadian journal of neurological sciences. Le journal canadien des sciences neurologiques
2.PMID: 29298518 (2018) — Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicity of Strychnos nux-vomica L.: A Review. · The American journal of Chinese medicine
3.PMID: 34181973 (2021) — Negligible Nux Vomica: Homeopathic Nux Vomica remedies don't contain strychnine? · Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
4.PMID: 25594733 (2015) — Important poisonous plants in tibetan ethnomedicine. · Toxins
5.PMID: 28120207 (2017) — A review on medicinal uses, analytical techniques and pharmacological activities of Strychnos nux-vomica Linn.: A concise report. · Chinese journal of integrative medicine
Sources gouvernementales
Aucune monographie gouvernementale directe n'est disponible pour cette plante. Le contenu ci-dessous est généré par IA et n'a pas été vérifié par rapport à une source gouvernementale faisant autorité. Utilisez les liens de recherche pour consulter les sources officielles avant de vous fier à ces informations.
6.PMID: 32308621 (2020) — Brucine: A Review of Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology. · Frontiers in pharmacology
7.PMID: 11327524 (2001) — Strychnos nux-vomica extract and its ultra-high dilution reduce voluntary ethanol intake in rats. · Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)
8.PMID: 31508887 (2019) — Analysis of dihydroindole-type alkaloids in Strychnos nux-vomica unprocessed and processed seeds by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and mass spectrometry. · Journal of separation science
9.PMID: 32527244 (2020) — Strychnos nux-vomica L. seed preparation promotes functional recovery and attenuates oxidative stress in a mouse model of sciatic nerve crush injury. · BMC complementary medicine and therapies
10.PMID: 35795289 (2022) — Systems Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Reveals the Mechanisms of Nux Vomica for the Prevention of Myasthenia Gravis. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
11.PMID: 21731158 (2010) — Use of Strychnos nux-vomica (Azraqi) seeds in Unani system of medicine: role of detoxification. · African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
13.PMID: 34957732 (2022) — Proximate analysis, HPTLC finger print analysis and multi spectrometric analysis of Strychnos nux-vomica nuts. · Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
14.PMID: 8820924 (1996) — Processing of nux vomica. VII. Antinociceptive effects of crude alkaloids from the processed and unprocessed seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica in mice. · Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
15.PMID: 30277848 (2018) — Nux Vomica Exposure Triggered Liver Injury and Metabolic Disturbance in Zebrafish Larvae. · Zebrafish
16.PMID: 22707864 (2012) — Strychnos nux-vomica seeds: Pharmacognostical standardization, extraction, and antidiabetic activity. · Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
17.PMID: 28459520 (2016) — Zebrafish model for assessing induced organ toxicity by Strychnos nux-vomica. · Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan
18.PMID: 33949930 (2022) — Mechanism of Action of Strychni Semen for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis and Methods for Attenuating the Toxicity. · Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening
19.PMID: 28648929 (2018) — Toxicological effects of Nux Vomica in rats urine and serum by means of clinical chemistry, histopathology and 1H NMR-based metabonomics approach. · Journal of ethnopharmacology