1. Drugs acting on Nervous System
Nux - vomica
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2. 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
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3. Recap In the last class we discussed about The CNS plant drug CANNABIS
Cannabis is mainly having CNS depressant effects
abused as a Narcotic
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4. Objectives On completion of this period you would be able to
learn about
The monograph of the CNS Drug
NUX-VOMICA
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5. Strychnos nux-vomica
Fig.36.1 Nux-vomica twig
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6. 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
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7. 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
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8. Collection And Preparation
Nux-vomica tree is about 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
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9. 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
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10. Nux-vomica Seed
Fig.36.5 Nux-vomica Seed
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11. 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
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12. Chemical Constituents
Contains 1-1.5% Indole alkaloids
Chiefly consists Strychnine and Brucine
Brucine is chemically dimethoxy-Strychnine
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13. 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
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14. Chemical Tests For Strychnine 1. T.S. of the seed
Stain with Ammonium vanadate and H2SO4
Endospermic cells become Purple
Strychnine + H2SO4 + K2Cr2O7
Violet colour turns to red and finally yellow
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15. Chemical Tests For Brucine T.S. of the seed Conc. HNO3
Endospermic cells become yellow
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16. 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
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17. Allied Drugs Strychnos wallichiana
having comparable alkaloidal content
Strychnos ignatii
contains 3% alkaloids of which 60% Strychnine
Adulterants
Strychnos potatorum
Strychnos nux-blanda
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18. Summary In this class we learnt about CNS plant drug NUX-VOMICA
Contains Indole alkaloids Strychnine and Brucine
Used as Respiratory and Cardiovascular stimulant
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19. Quiz 1. The plant part that is useful in Nux-vomica is a) Leaves
b) Flowers
c) Roots
d) Seeds
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20. Quiz 2. Nux-vomica alkaloids are a) Spinal stimulants
b) Cardio-vascular stimulants
c) Both
d) None of the above
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21. 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
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