STRYCHNOS NUX VOMICA: A DRUG WITH MODERN THERAPEUTIC VALUES

Abstract

Strychnos nux vomica is a medicinal drug from the family Loganiaceae. In Indian and Chinese medicine, seeds
of plants have been used traditionally. Despite it being a poisonous plant, its widely used for treating diseases
like insomnia, rheumatism, epilepsy, emotional disorders, dysentery, joint pain, urinary disorders, itching,
dyspepsia, neuralgia, and/or paralytic diseases. It has been shown to contain mainly alkaloids along with
phenolic glycosides, iridoids, and flavonoids. Various preparations of nux vomica have shown properties such
as neuropharmacological, anti-snake venom, anti-alcoholic, antidiabetic, gastroprotective, antipyretic,
anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antinociceptive, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective.
Also, clinical studies have shown that it has efficacy for rhinitis, insomnia, and sinusitis. The studies on nux
vomica are preliminary demanding more in vivo and in vitro studies to definitively assess the role of its varying
constituents and formulations. As it has brucine, strychnine, and alkaloids, it is highly toxic. Hence, more focus
should be given to detoxifying it and reducing its toxicity without affecting its therapeutic efficacy. The present
review is to assess its ethnomedicinal knowledge and scientific evidence about nux vomica to assess its future
perspective, toxicity, and therapeutic potential.