Strychnos nux-vomica
Strychnine tree
Strychnos nux-vomica, commonly known as the Strychnine tree, is a medicinal plant native to Southeast Asia. Renowned for its potent alkaloids, particularly strychnine and brucine, it has historically been used in small doses for neurological stimulation. However, its extreme toxicity requires precise handling and careful pharmacological consideration.
- Scientific name: Strychnos nux-vomica
- Family: Loganiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Loganiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Strychnos | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Strychnos nux-vomica, is known by several different common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Dhivehi, it is referred to as ތަނބިވައް, while in Chinese, it is widely recognized through several variations: the simplified forms used in mainland China are 马钱子 (zh-hans and zh-cn), whereas the traditional forms used in Hong Kong and other regions are expressed as 馬錢子 (zh-hanth and zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| dv | ތަނބިވައް | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 马钱子 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 馬錢子 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 馬錢子 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 马钱子 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 马钱子 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 馬錢子 | Wikidata |
| pl | Kulczyba wronie oko | Wikidata |
| hu | farkasmaszlag | Wikidata |
| et | Harilik strühniinipuu | Wikidata |
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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Strychnos nux-vomica, is a medicinal source where various components hold significant pharmacological value. The most potent parts are the ripened seeds, which are harvested once they have matured to contain high concentrations of alkaloids. These seeds are often processed to extract strychnine and brucine, though the raw seeds themselves are highly toxic. Beyond the seeds, the leaves are frequently utilized in traditional practices, while the stem bark and root bark are also valued for their specific chemical constituents. Each of these parts, from the woody textures of the bark to the dense interior of the seeds, contributes to the complex medicinal profile of this species.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 12
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ripened seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| nuts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dry seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Strychnos nux-vomica has 36 reported phytochemicals identified across 64 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include strychnine, brucine, brucine N-oxide, strychnine N-oxide, 4-hydroxystrychnine.
- Total chemicals
- 36
- Scientific sources
- 64
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| strychnine | 14 | ★★★★★ |
| brucine | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| brucine N-oxide | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| strychnine N-oxide | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 4-hydroxystrychnine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Strychnine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aluminium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthraquinones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| calcite | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| calcium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Strychnos nux-vomica has 16 reported activities identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antioxidant, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Antiaging, Antialzheimeran.
- Total activities
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 20
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiaging | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antialzheimeran | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiandrogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticonvulsant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidermatitic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Strychnos nux-vomica has 23 reported medicinal uses identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, cancer, inflammation, Antioxidant, Immunostimulant.
- Total uses
- 23
- Scientific sources
- 27
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| analgesic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Immunostimulant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| angiogenesis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antipsychotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atherosclerosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |