Strychnos nuxvomical

Zaheer khan

1. Strychnos nuxvomica

2. Synonyms: Semen strychni , Nux vomica Seed, Poison Nut, Semen strychnos , Quaker Buttons, Bachelor’s buttons, Dog buttons, Vomit nut, Crow fig Botanical origin: Nux vomica consists of the dried ripe seeds of  Strychnos nux   vomica  Linn. Family :   Loganiaceae Part used: Dried ripe seeds Distribution: It is mainly found in South India, Malabar Coast, Kerala, Bengal, Eastern Ghats, North Australia and Ceylon .

3. Strychnos nux -vomica is a medium-sized evergreen tree that can grow up to 25 meters in height. The tree has a dense, spreading crown and a straight trunk. The leaves are leathery, glossy, and elliptical in shape. The tree produces small, greenish-white flowers that are fragrant and arranged in clusters. The fruit is a large, round berry with a smooth, yellowish-green skin. The seeds of Strychnos nux -vomica are flat, disc-shaped, and have a hard, woody shell. DESCRIPTION

4. Tree Structure: Strychnos nux -vomica is a medium-sized evergreen tree with a straight trunk. Bark: The bark is thick, smooth, and greenish-gray when young, becoming darker and rougher with age. Leaves: The leaves are glossy, leathery, and elliptical in shape. They are arranged oppositely on the branches. Flowers: The plant produces small, greenish-white, and fragrant flowers. The flowers are typically bisexual. Macroscopical characteristics

5. Fruits: The fruits are large, round, and orange when mature. They have a smooth, hard shell. Seeds: The seeds are flat, round, and disc-shaped. The seeds are embedded in a gelatinous pulp within the fruit. Odor: The seeds have a strong, disagreeable odor. Taste: The seeds have an intensely bitter taste .

6. The powdered drug derived from Strychnos nux -vomica, commonly known as nux vomica, is obtained from the seeds of the plant. Color and Texture: The powdered drug is often light brown to grayish in color. The texture is typically fine and powdery. Odor: Nux vomica powder may have a distinctive, somewhat bitter odor. Powder drug

7. Epidermis consists of thick-waved, bent and twisted lignified covering trichomes . The base of the trichome is large thick walled with slit like pits. The upper part of the trichome is nearly at right angle to the base and has wavy walls. Endosperm consists of thick walled isodiametric cells consisting of hemicellulose which swells with water and contains plasmodesma . Aleurone grains and fixed oil are present in endosperm and embryo. . Microscopy

8. Transverse section of Strychnos nux -vomica

9. Alkaloids Strychnine (1.25 %) Brucine (1.5 %) Loganin C affeotannic acid T race of copper C hemical Constituents 

10. Strychnos nux vomica is known for its stimulating effects on the central nervous system. The plant is used in traditional medicine to address digestive issues and stimulate appetite. Nux vomica is suggested to have analgesic effects, contributing to its historical use for pain relief. In homeopathy, Strychnos nux vomica is employed for various conditions, including digestive and neurological disorders . Due to its toxicity, controlled and limited medicinal use of nux vomica is observed, especially in traditional and alternative medicine. Uses