Therapeutic Properties of Kuchala – A Short Review

Abstract

Medicinal plants are a pool of organically active compounds. In texts, there are various allusions to the use of  vishdraya as a medicine. Kuchala (Strychnos nux-vomica Linn), an evergreen tree, commonly known as poison nut  is attributed with both poisonous and medicinal values. Alkaloids are the main bioactive ingredients in S. nux-vomica Linn, 80% of which are strychnine and brucine, as well as their derivatives such as brucine N-oxide or isostrychnine.  In Ayurveda, it has been used for curing various ailments including paralysis, dyspepsia, itching, joint pain, dysentery,  emotional disorders, epilepsy, insomnia, etc. after proper shodhana process. Different studies reported safety and  toxicity aspects while other studies reported antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory,  antipyretic, etc. activities of the plant. In this review, an attempt has been made to understand its therapeutic potential  by assimilating traditional medicinal knowledge and modern scientific findings about nux vomica. Strychnos nux-vomica Linn (Family: Loganiaceae), a medicinally  important toxic plant, commonly known as nux vomica, poison nut,  has manifold therapeutic and clinical implementation. This plant is  commercially cultivated in different parts of the world such as the  United States, the European Union, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi,  Hainan, North Australia, Taiwan, and throughout tropical Asia.[1] Different parts of this plant, especially seeds and bark, own an ample  variety of indications in long-established traditional and folklore  medicines of different countries. At present, nux vomica is utilized in more than 60 formulations of  Indian systems of medicine of which 30 formulations are used in  the disorders of vata dosha.[2] The indole alkaloids, strychnine, and  brucine, are richly present in different parts of this plant. These  alkaloids pose a wide range of therapeutic potential. It is used as an  appetite suppressant, purgative, and as a constituent of nerve toxin  along with its uses as rodenticide, respiratory stimulants, and killing  stray dogs.[1]