Strychnos nuxvomica L. is a traditional Chinese medicine, which has the effect of relieving pain and reducing swelling. Modern pharmacological studies have found that strychnine, brucine, iridoid glycosides and other bioactive compounds can be extracted from Semen Strychni. To understand the clinical value of nux vomica and its active ingredients, we collected relevant research results, explored the pharmacological mechanisms of its main extract in nervous system, immune system, musculoskeletal system, inhibiting pathogenic microorganisms and anti-tumor, respetively, and then analyzed the clinical application value The results show that the active components of nux vomica can excite the central nervous system, improve the function of sensory organs, reduce inflammation effectively, ease pain, and reduce inflammation, in addition to playing a role of inhibiting a variety of tumors. Possibly, it can be developed as anti-angiogenic and anticancer drugs in the future. With the indepth study of the pharmacological mechanism of nux vomica, more confirmed evidences of pharmacology and experiment will bemastered to guide the clinical application.

Strychnos nux-vomica  /  strychnine  /  brucine  /  pharmacological mechanism