Silvics, phytochemistry and ethnopharmacy of endangered poison nut tree (Strychnos nux-vomica L.): A review

Abstract

Strychnos nux-vomica L. (loganiaceae) is a well known drug plant in classical medicines. The species is pantropical and commonly observed in moist deciduous and semi evergreen forests. It contains poisonous alkaloids strychnine and brucine which are extensively used in many formulations with great therapeutic significance. Leaves, bark, root, fruits contain alkaloid of medicinal importance but seed is official in Ayurveda and other pharmacopoeias. After adopting suitable purification process, seeds of nux-vomica are used as an ingredient of many compound formulations in Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy systems of medicines. Often seeds are used for treating debility, paralysis, dyspepsia, dysentery, chronic rheumatism, weakness of limbs, sexual weakness, colic, intermittent fever, malarial fever & hysteria etc. It is also used as rodenticide, piscicide and pesticide in agriculture. Unscientific and overexploitation of seed along with loss of habitat put this drug plant under threat list. In this review an effort has been made to elucidate the morphophenology, nursery techniques, silvicultural management, pharmacognostic authenticity of crude drug, scientifically validated therapeutic uses in a lieu to assist further research in chemical screening of elite genotypes, developing agrotechniques of cultivation, varietal development, by-products extraction thereby protecting it from extinction.