Drugs acting on Nervous System Nux - vomica PH103.36

DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION ANDHRA PRADESH Name : R.D.L.P.Christian Designation : Lecturer in pharmacy Branch : Pharmacy Institute : GPW, Srikakulam Year : I year Subject : Pharmacognosy Subject Code : PH-103 Topic : Drugs acting on Nervous System Sub-Topic : Nux - vomica Duration : 50 min. Teaching Aids : PPT, Photographs PH103.36

Recap In the last class we discussed about The CNS plant drug CANNABIS Cannabis is mainly having CNS depressant effects abused as a Narcotic PH103.36

Objectives On completion of this period you would be able to learn about The monograph of the CNS Drug NUX-VOMICA PH103.36

Strychnos nux-vomica Fig.36.1 Nux-vomica twig PH103.36

NUX-VOMICA Syn: Crow-fig, Mustimanu (Telugu) Biological Source : It consists of the dried ripe seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica Family : Loganiaceae Geographical Source : Indigenous to East Indies. Found in Srilanka, Burma, Thailand,Vietnam and North Australia In India Malabar coast, Tamilnadu and Kerala Fig.36.2 Nux-vomica twig PH103.36

History of Nux-vomica In 16th century the drug was used to kill the animals because of its poisonous nature ‘Strychnos’ (Greek) : Poisonous Nux-vomica : Nut with vomiting effects Strychnine and Brucine were some of the first alkaloids that were isolated Fig.36.3 Nux-vomica tree PH103.36

Collection And Preparation Nux-vomica tree is about 10-12 m in height Bears orange yellow fruits with tough leathery epicarp Each fruit contains 1-5 seeds embedded in the white pulpy epicarp Seeds are separated, cleaned to free from the pulp. The seeds floating are rejected Seeds are dried, sometimes graded as per size PH103.36

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS SEEDS Size : 10-30mm in dia and 4-6mm thick Shape : Small disc shaped, somewhat flat and irregular Colour : Greenish-brown Odour : Odourless Taste : Intensely bitter Fig.36.4 Nux-vomica twig PH103.36

Nux-vomica Seed Fig.36.5 Nux-vomica Seed PH103.36

Morphological Characters SEEDS Extra Features: The seeds are thickly covered with numerous appressed trichomes radiating towards periphery from centre The seeds are very hard to break or cut. The boiled seed can be cut tranversely into 2 halves The embryo with two small leaves like cotyledons and a small cylindrical radical is found at one side Fig.36.6 Nux-vomica seeds PH103.36

Chemical Constituents Contains 1-1.5% Indole alkaloids Chiefly consists Strychnine and Brucine Brucine is chemically dimethoxy-Strychnine PH103.36

Chemical Constituents Other alkaloids in minor quantity are α-colubrine, β-colubrine, Protostrychnine, N-oxystrychnine, Pseudo strychnine, Isostrychnine, Strychnicine, Vomicine, Novacine and Icagene Also contains glycosides Loganine, Chloragenic acid and about 3% fixed oil PH103.36

Chemical Tests For Strychnine 1. T.S. of the seed Stain with Ammonium vanadate and H2SO4 Endospermic cells become Purple 2. Strychnine + H2SO4 + K2Cr2O7 Violet colour turns to red and finally yellow PH103.36

Chemical Tests For Brucine T.S. of the seed Conc. HNO3 Endospermic cells become yellow PH103.36

Uses CNS Stimulant mainly Spinal stimulant Aphrodisiac Used as a Bitter stomachic and tonic Respiratory stimulant in cases of poisoning Stimulates Cardiovascular system and increases B.P PH103.36

Allied Drugs Strychnos wallichiana having comparable alkaloidal content Strychnos ignatii contains 3% alkaloids of which 60% Strychnine Adulterants Strychnos potatorum Strychnos nux-blanda PH103.36

Summary In this class we learnt about CNS plant drug NUX-VOMICA Contains Indole alkaloids Strychnine and Brucine Used as Respiratory and Cardiovascular stimulant PH103.36

Quiz 1. The plant part that is useful in Nux-vomica is a) Leaves b) Flowers c) Roots d) Seeds PH103.36

Quiz 2. Nux-vomica alkaloids are a) Spinal stimulants b) Cardio-vascular stimulants c) Both d) None of the above PH103.36

Frequently Asked Questions Write the Chemical constituents and Uses of Nux-vomica Write the Botanical Source and Macroscopy of Mention the Source and Uses of Nux-vomica PH103.36