Herbs and plantsStrychnine — the deadly poison that was once prescribed as medicine?
Sources: 4 · Article: 9 667 characters
Yes — nux-vomica seeds and strychnine were once used medicinally, and their use was once widespread.
- Strychnine was given for conditions such as weakness, paralysis, fainting, problems with urination, digestion and appetite, and disorders of vision and hearing.
- It was also used for poisoning caused by narcotics and sleeping medicines; however, Henryk Różański cites the view that it was once wrongly used for all cases of narcotic poisoning.
- Strychnine was also given for certain infectious diseases accompanied by inflammation of the heart.
- Nux vomica was used in the form of seeds and preparations such as powder, extract and tincture.
What the authors write
Henryk Różański
Strychnine was used for conditions such as paralysis, fainting, weakness, problems with urination and digestion, appetite disorders, and problems with vision and hearing.
„Uses of strychnine in traditional medicine:
– muscular paralysis, paralysis of central origin, – impotence, reduced sex drive, – involuntary and nighttime urination, – physical and mental weakness, including during debilitating and infectious diseases, – low blood pressure, – collapse, fainting, – poisoning by narcotics and sleeping medicines, – reticular visual impairment, gradual loss of vision due to optic nerve atrophy, – hearing loss of labyrinthine origin, – atony of the digestive tract, – loss of appetite, – resignation, loss of the will to fight the disease, depression, a feeling of being “down,” lack of appetite, digestive disorders and problems with the passage of food; a feeling of helplessness during cancer, – reluctance to make physical or mental effort, – pneumonia.”Zastosowanie strychniny w dawnej medycynie:
– niedowłady mięśniowe, porażenia pochodzenia ośrodkowego, – impotencja, spadek popędu płciowego, – moczenie mimowolne i nocne, – osłabienie fizyczne i psychiczne, także w przebiegu chorób wyniszczających i zakaźnych, – podciśnienie, – zapaść, omdlenie, – zatrucia narkotykami i środkami nasennymi, – niedowidzenie siatkowate, stopniowa utrata wzroku wskutek zaniku nerwu wzrokowego, – niedosłyszenie pochodzenia błędnikowego, – atonia przewodu pokarmowego, – jadłowstręt, – zrezygnowanie, utrata siły walki z chorobą, depresja, poczucie “dołka psychicznego”, brak łaknienia, zaburzenia trawienia i pasażu treści pokarmowej; poczucie bezsilności w przebiegu choroby nowotworowej, – niechęć do wysiłku fizycznego i psychicznego, – zapalenie płuc.
Henryk Różański
Strychnine was also used for poisoning by barbituric acid derivatives, but the cited view described its earlier use for all cases of narcotic poisoning as mistaken.
„According to Prof. Hano, strychnine was once wrongly used for all cases of narcotic poisoning. I quote: “At present, partly because of the lack of picrotoxin, strychnine is used in large doses of 0.01–0.02 g, injected subcutaneously, intramuscularly or even intravenously, to rescue patients poisoned by barbituric acid derivatives.””Wg prof. Hano, strychnina był dawniej błędnie stosowana we wszystkich zatruciach narkotykami. Cytuję: “Obecnie, zresztą w dużej mierze z braku pikrotoksyny, używana jest strychnina w dużych dawkach 0,01-0,02 g, wstrzykiwanych podskórnie, domięśniowo lub nawet dożylnie, w ratowaniu chorych zatrutych pochodnymi kwasu barbiturowego.
Henryk Różański
Strychnine was given for infectious diseases accompanied by inflammation of the heart.
„Strychnine was given for infectious diseases accompanied by inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) (Łowicki J.A., Brejtman M.J. 1937; Leszczyński R.J. 1931). As Jochweds B. and Izgur Al. (1939) report, most authors deny that strychnine, in ordinary medicinal doses, can increase the tension of the heart muscle and the force of its contractions.”Strychnina była podawana w chorobach zakaźnych, przebiegających z zapaleniem sierdzia (myocarditis)/ Łowicki J.A., Brejtman M.J. 1937 r., Leszczyński R.J. 1931 r.). Jak podają Jochweds B. i Izgur Al. (1939 r.) większość autorów odmawia strychninie w zwykłych dawkach leczniczych – zdolności zwiększania napięcia mięśnia sercowego i siły jego skurczu.
Henryk Różański
Some traditional indications included visual disorders, paralysis, peripheral palsy and bladder disorders, but the cited assessment considered strychnine to have little overall medicinal value.
„“For some cases of poor vision and double vision, strychnine may be of some benefit; otherwise, it has little medicinal value.” The bitter taste of strychnine can be detected at a concentration of 1:60,000. Strychnine also has antiseptic properties (solutions left standing do not sour).”“ Przy niektórych niedoślepach i podwójnem widzeniu może strychnina przynieść niejaki pożytek, zresztą zaś nie ma wielkiej leczniczej wartości.” Gorzki smak strychniny jest wyczuwalny w stężeniu 1:60 000. Strychnina ma też właściwości przeciwgnilne (rzeczywiście pozostawione roztwory nie zakisają).
Henryk Różański
Strychnine and nux-vomica preparations were considered to stimulate reflexes, appetite and digestion, and to counteract reduced intestinal activity.
„They increase the secretion of digestive juices, stimulate appetite and digestion, and promote peristaltic movements in the digestive tract. They prevent intestinal atony and the stagnation of stool (constipation), and regulate bowel movements. They increase the reflex excitability of the sexual centers in the spinal cord—increasing erections of the penis and clitoris, intensifying sexual sensations, activating libido, deepening orgasm, facilitating ejaculation and stimulating vaginal contractions.”Zwiększają wydzielanie soków trawiennych, wzmagają apetyt i trawienie, wzbudzają ruchy perystaltyczne przewodu pokarmowego, zapobiegają atonii jelit i zastojom kału (zaparciom). Regulują wypróżnienia. Wzmagają odruchową pobudliwość ośrodków płciowych, w rdzeniu kręgowym – zwiększają wzwód prącia i łechtaczki, nasilają doznania seksualne, aktywują libido, pogłębiają orgazm płciowy, ułatwiają wytrysk nasienia i stymulują skurcze pochwy.
Henryk Różański
Historical pharmacopoeias described nux-vomica seeds, as well as their extract and tincture, as official preparations.
„The official preparations were Extractum Strychni and Tinctura Strychni. Nux-vomica tincture—Tinctura Strychni (German: Brechnusstinktur, French: Teinture de noix vomique; Italian: Tintura di noce vomica)—contained at least 0.25% alkaloids and approximately 57–60% alcohol.”Oficjalnymi preparatami były Extractum Strychni i Tinctura Strychni. Nalewka kulczybowa – Tinctura Strychni (niem. Brechnusstinktur, fr. Teinture de noix vomique; ital. Tintura di noce vomica) zawierała nie mniej niż 0,25% alkaloidów i ok. 57-60% alkoholu.
Henryk Różański
The Polish Pharmacopoeia described powdered nux-vomica seeds, strychnine nitrate and a tincture of nux-vomica seeds.
„FP III also describes strychnine nitrate—Strychninum nitricum C21H22O2N2*HNO3, with a molecular weight of 397.4—as colorless, odorless crystals with a very bitter taste. Strychnine nitrate dissolves in 90 ml of water at room temperature, in 5 parts of boiling water and in 70 ml of spirit. It is almost insoluble in ether, chloroform and carbon disulfide.”FP III zawiera opis także azotanu strychniny – Strychninum nitricum C21H22O2N2*HNO3 o m.cz. 397,4 – bezbarwne, bezwonne kryształy o bardzo gorzkim smaku. Azotan strychniny rozpuszcza się w 90 ml wody o temp. pokojowej, w 5 częściach wody wrzącej, w 70 ml spirytusu, niemal nie rozpuszcza się w eterze, chloroformie i dwusiarczku węgla.
Henryk Różański
Strychnine was used in many forms, including as the nitrate, sulfate and pure strychnine.
„Strychnine was used in medicine in the form of acetate (Strychninym aceticum), sulfate (Strychninum sulfuricum), cacodylate (Strychninum kakodylicum), nitrate (Strychninum nitricum), hydrochloride (Strychninum hydrochloricum), hydrobromide (Strychnicum hydrobromicum) and isovalerianate (Strychninum isovalerianicum), as well as in pure form (Strychninum purum).”Strychnina była używana w medycynie w postaci octanu (Strychninym aceticum), siarczanu (Strychninum sulfuricum), kakodylanu (Strychninum kakodylicum), azotanu (Strychninum nitricum), chlorowodorku (Strychninum hydrochloricum), bromowodorku (Strychnicum hydrobromicum) i izowalerianianu (Strychninum isovalerianicum), ponadto w czystej postaci (Strychninum purum).
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 3 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 90.
Dried nux-vomica seeds were used for disorders of the nervous system, arthritis and vomiting, while strychnine stimulates the central nervous system but is poisonous in large doses.
Aim of the study: The purpose of this review is to provide comprehensive and relevant information on the utilization and pharmacological activities of Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. (Loganiaceae), used for the treatment of various diseases.
Results: Owing to its diverse phytoconstituents, it is used to treat various disorders. Its pharmacological effects on inflammation, microbial infections, gastrointestinal problems, the nervous system, bone cells, the cardiovascular system, cancer and blood glucose levels have been validated. It also has antioxidant and antifeedant activity. The information about Strychnos nux-vomica compiled in this review could help researchers scientifically validate its traditional uses in the future.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In Tibetan medicine, processed nux vomica was used, among other things, to relieve pain.
Aim of the study: Tibetan ethnomedicine is famous worldwide, both for its high effectiveness and its unique cultural background. Many poisonous plants have been widely used to treat disorders in the Tibetan medicinal system.
Results: This review introduces several representative poisonous plant species that are important in traditional Tibetan medicine: Aconitum pendulum, Strychnos nux-vomica, Datura stramonium and Anisodus tanguticus. Their toxic chemical constituents, bioactivities and pharmacological functions are reviewed. The most important toxins include aconitine, strychnine, scopolamine and anisodamine. Tibetan healers still use these poisonous plants, after processing them, to reduce pain and for other purposes.
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · National Natural Science Foundation of China, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing and State College Students’ Scientific Research and Entrepreneurial Action
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Nux-vomica seeds, known as nux vomica, were its traditional medicinal component.
Aim of the study: Strychnos nux-vomica L. belongs to the genus Strychnos in the family Loganiaceae and grows in Sri Lanka, India and Australia.
Results: Further research on S. nux-vomica should emphasize bioactivity-guided isolation strategies. Its antitumor effects should be investigated further, and in vivo animal experiments should be conducted alongside in vitro testing. The pharmacological activity and toxicology of strychnine [Formula: see text]-oxide and brucine [Formula: see text]-oxide should be studied to explore more deeply the detoxification mechanism associated with processing.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
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