Strychnos nux-vomica seeds: Pharmacognostical standardization, extraction, and antidiabetic activity.
BACKGROUND
Strychnos nux-vomica, commonly known as kuchla, contains strychnine and brucine as main constituents. Minor alkaloids present in the seeds are protostrychnine, vomicine, n-oxystrychnine, pseudostrychnine, isostrychnine, chlorogenic acid, and a glycoside. Seeds are used traditionally to treat diabetes, asthma, aphrodisiac and to improve appetite.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was aimed to evaluate the various pharmacognostical characters and antidiabetic activity of S. nux-vomica seed.


METHODS
Pharmacognostical characters were performed as per the WHO guideline. Extraction was carried out in petroleum ether, chloroform, alcohol, hydroalcoholic, aqueous, and phytochemical constituents present in extracts were detected by different chemical tests. Among these extracts hydroalcoholic, aqueous extracts were evaluated for antidiabetic activity on the basis of extractive yield and phytoconstituents, in alloxan-induced diabetic rats using gliclazide as standard.


RESULTS
Various analytical values of S. nux-vomica extract were established. Phytoconstituents present in S. nux-vomica extracts were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
S. nux-vomica extracts show antihyperglycemic activity in experimental animals.
,  Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jodhpur National University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
Rajesh
R
Bhati
Anupama
A
Singh
Vikas Anand
VA
Saharan
Veerma
V
Ram
Anil
A
Bhandari