Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

630 Strychnos potatorum Linn.f.
S
Strychnine, when tested for antiulcer
activity in shay rat model at
a dose of 0.25 mg/kg body weight,
complete absence of ulceration was observed
which was comparable to cimetidine.
Exhausted Nux-vomica powder
at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight,
and brucine at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg
body weight gave protection similar to
strychnine.
Orally, 30–50 mg Nux-vomica (5 mg
strychnine) is toxic.
Dosage ◮ Detoxified seed—60–
125 mg. (API, Vol. IV.)
Strychnos potatorum Linn.f.
Family ◮ Loganiaceae; Strychnaceae.
Habitat ◮ Forests of West Bengal,
Central and South India, up to
1,200 m.
English ◮ Clearing Nut tree.
Ayurvedic ◮ Kataka, Katakaphala,
Payah-prasaadi, Chakshushya,
Nirmali.
Unani ◮ Nirmali.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Thettran, Thetrankottai.
Action ◮ Seed—antidiabetic,
antidysenteric, emetic.
Mannogalactan from seeds reduces
cholesterol and triglycerides (one-tenth
and one-fifth when compared to clofibrate).
Seeds are also applied to abscesses,
and venereal sores (internally
in gonorrhoea). Fruits—antidiabet-
ic; antidysenteric, expectorant. (Pulp
is used as a substitute for ipecacuanha.)
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India
recommends the seed in dysuria,
polyuria, urolithiasis, also in epilepsy.
The seeds, leaves and trunk bark
gave diabolin (major alkaloid) and
acetyldiabolin. Seeds alsogave brucine,
strychnine, novacine, icajine, oleanolic
acid and its glycoside. Leaves and bark
gave isomotiol, stigmasterol, campesterol
and sitosterol. Diabolin exhibits
hypotensive activity.
A decoction of seeds is given to treat
stammering.
The seeds resemble those of Nuxvomica
but are non-poisonous. The
ripe seeds are used for clearing muddy
water.
Dosage ◮ Seed—3–6 g. (API, Vol.
IV.)
Strychnos rheedei C.B.Clarke.
Synonym ◮ S. cinnamomifolia Thw.
S. wallichiana Steud.
Family ◮ Loganiaceae; Strychnaceae.
Habitat ◮ Western Ghats, from South
Kanara to Trivandrum, up to 900 m
and in Andhra Pradesh.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Valli Kanjiram.
Action ◮ Roots—antirheumatic,
anti-inflammatory, febrifuge.
Used for neurological affections,
elephantiasis and muscular pains.
Indole type alkaloids have been reported
from the plant.