How much do you know about the alkaloids and properties of Nux Vomica?

Study Notes

Nux vomica contains the alkaloids strychnine and brucine, as well as traces of other alkaloids and a glucoside.
Strychnine is a therapeutically active and toxic alkaloid located in the central portion of the endosperm.
Brucine is less toxic and intensely bitter, used as a standard for determining the bitter value of many bitter drugs.
The seeds also contain chlorogenic acid or caffeotannic acid and hemicellulose consisting of mannan and galactan.
Strychnine acts as a bitter, increases appetite, stimulates peristalsis, and has effects on the CNS, respiration, and heart.
Brucine closely resembles strychnine in its action but is slightly less poisonous and paralyzes peripheral motor nerves.
Nux vomica is used as a nervine, sex tonic, and tonic to the circulatory system in cardiac failure.
In toxic doses, strychnine causes violent tetanus-like convulsions and death.
Chemical tests can be used to identify strychnine and brucine in nux vomica.
Nux vomica is also known as vomiting nut but has no vomiting properties.