strychnine tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• nux-vomica
• nux-vomica-tree
• strychninetree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Strychnos spireana
• Strychnos ovalifolia
• Strychnos nux-vomica var. oligosperma

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianales, falling into the family Loganiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Strychnos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it is found throughout the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Its presence also extends to the island of Taiwan within Eastern Asia. Furthermore, the species can be located within the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in Bangladesh. Together, these locations highlight the tropical and subtropical habitats preferred by the species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Strychnos nux-vomica is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years through continuous growth cycles. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present across different seasons rather than shedding leaves in a deciduous pattern. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and consistent greenery supports its structural development as it matures within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Strychnos nux-vomica is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree, typically reaching an average height of approximately 25 m. As a terrestrial species, it grows in non-aquatic environments and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is categorized as a self-supporting tree, exhibiting a robust growth form that does not rely on climbing mechanisms like vines or lianas. Its primary structural composition is distinctly woody, providing the necessary stability for its significant vertical development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Strychnos nux-vomica is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. As a C3 plant, it relies on the enzyme RuBisCO to catalyze the initial carboxylation step, a process that is efficient under temperate to tropical conditions but can be susceptible to photorespiration in high-temperature environments. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria (such as Rhizobium) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms; instead, it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to support its metabolic processes and the synthesis of its complex indole alkaloids.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Strychnos nux-vomica is facilitated through the production of fruit and seeds, which are the primary agents for its propagation. The plant develops fleshy, globose fruits that eventually contain the seeds essential for the next generation. Morphological data regarding the seeds indicates a highly consistent physical profile, characterized by a specific seed mass. Specifically, the seed mass is recorded with a mean value of 1.19 g, a figure that remains constant across its observed range, as both the maximum and minimum seed mass values are also measured at 1.19 g. This uniformity in seed mass suggests a stable reproductive investment per seed, which is a critical factor in the plant's dispersal and establishment within its natural habitat.

Seed mass mean:

1.19 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Strychnos nux-vomica has 4 reported plant parts identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, leaf, root, stem.

Seed

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
5. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Leaf

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Journal de mycologie medicale
3. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Chemicals

Strychnos nux-vomica has 69 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include strychnine, BRUCINE, Brucine N-oxide, Strychnine N-oxide, CHLOROGENIC ACID.

strychnine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Journal of separation science
4. Chinese journal of integrative medicine
5. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

BRUCINE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Journal of separation science
4. Chinese journal of integrative medicine
5. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Brucine N-oxide

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of separation science
3. Pharmaceutical biology
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Strychnine N-oxide

1. Journal of separation science
2. Pharmaceutical biology
3. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Loganin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical biology

3-Methoxyicajine

1. Dr. Duke

4-Hydroxystrychnine

1. Biotechnology and applied biochemistry

Aluminium

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Anthraquinones

1. Dose-response : a publication of International Hormesis Society

Activities

Strychnos nux-vomica has 172 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antioxidant, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Antialzheimeran, Antiandrogenic.

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Acta biologica Hungarica
4. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antialzheimeran

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antiandrogenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Cancer-Preventive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Immunostimulant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Nematicide

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Strychnos nux-vomica has 23 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, cancer, inflammation, Antioxidant, Immunostimulant.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations