title: Processing of nux vomica. VII. Antinociceptive effects of crude alkaloids from the processed and unprocessed seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica in mice.
abstract: We examined the antinociceptive effects of the crude alkaloid fractions (CAF) of nux vomica (the dried seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica L.) and the influences of various processing methods upon their antinociception in three analgesic tests in mice. In the tail-pressure test, the CAF (0.01--1 micrograms/kg, i.p.) of nux vomica that was unprocessed or treated with sand-, licorice-, oil- or vinegar and sand-processing showed clear antinociception. The CAF (1 microgram/kg, i.p.) of vinegar-processed nux vomica showed antinociception, without effects at lower doses of 0.01 and 0.1 microgram/kg and those treated with urine- or urine and sand-processing were without effects at doses of 0.01--1 microgram/kg. Morphine (2 mg/kg, s.c.) showed short-lasting antinociception, without effects at a dose of 1 microgram/kg. In the hot-plate test, the CAF (100 microgram/kg, i.p.) of nux vomica having undergone sand-processing produced a significant antinociception, without effects at lower doses of 0.01 and 1 microgram/kg. The CAF (0.01--100 microgram/kg, i.p.) of nux vomica that was unprocessed or treated with oil- or vinegar and sand-processing and morphine (1 and 100 micrograms/kg, s.c.) were without effects. In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, the CAF (1 microgram/kg, i.p.) of nux vomica that was treated with sand-processing significantly inhibited the writhing behavior, while those of nux vomica that was unprocessed or treated with oil- or vinegar and sand-processing and morphine were without effects at a dose of 1 microgram/kg. The present results demonstrate the antinociceptive effects of the CAF of nux vomica and suggest that sand-processing is good for the analgesic potency of nux vomica. It is also suggested that the CAF of nux vomica has distinct antinociceptive potency, even after treatment with licorice-, oil-, vinegar and sand-processing.
authors.affiliation: Nanjing Traditional Chinese Medical and Pharmaceutical University, China.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nagasawa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kadota
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hattori
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Namba
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kuraishi
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D013331:Strychnine / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000700:Analgesics; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009020:Morphine; D013331:Strychnine; D019342:Acetic Acid