The pharmacological and toxicological action of
strychnine on central nervous system

Asian Journal of Traditional Medicines ›› 2020, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (2): 76-86.

The pharmacological and toxicological action of strychnine on central nervous system

Taotao Wang, Qian Yang, Rong Gao, Jianxiu Zhai, Jun Yin*

School of Traditional Chinese Material Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China

Received:2019-11-04 Accepted:2020-03-16 Online:2020-04-20 Published:2020-04-30
Contact: School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica 48#, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, China; Tel./fax: +86-24-23986491; E-mail: yinjun826@sina.com. E-mail:yinjun826@sina.com

Abstract

Abstract: Strychnine is the main bioactive constituent responsible for the pharmacological and toxic properties of strychnos nux-vomica L. (Loganiaceae), which is known for severe neurotoxicity. Although its toxic threshold is easy to be reached and it is liable to cause poisoning, the effect of strychnine on the central nervous system (CNS) is crucial for its application in clinic. Therefore, the impacts of pharmacology and toxicology of strychnine on CNS have generated increasing interests. In this short review, we summarize the pharmacological activities, neurotoxicology, underlying mechanisms of the strychnine poisoning, and discuss the pharmacokinetics properties of strychnine. These findings could provide beneficial information for facilitating future mechanism research of neurotoxicity of strychnine and developing drugs to remedy neurotoxicity in the clinic.

Key words: strychnine, pharmacological activities, neurotoxicity, mechanisms

Taotao Wang, Qian Yang, Rong Gao, Jianxiu Zhai, Jun Yin. The pharmacological and toxicological action of strychnine on central nervous system[J]. Asian Journal of Traditional Medicines, 2020, 15(2): 76-86.

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