Effect of detoxification (tadbeer) in content of toxic metabolites of Strychnos nux-vomica: A Unani approach for its use in human

摘要

Background: Azaraqi ( Strychnos nux-vomica , Loganiaceae) has been the important Unani medicine since long time as a stimulant, anti-inflammatory, and blood purifier. It has been used very frequently by the Unani practitioner. But the Unani system recommends application of azaraqi in medicine only after its detoxification (tadbeer) may be because of the presence of its deadly poisonous alkaloids (strychnine and brucine). In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to quantify the actual content of their toxic alkaloids before and after the tadbeer. Materials and Methods: A sensitive high-performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method has been developed for estimation of strychnine and brucine in different samples of azaraqi before and after tadbeer. Precoated HPTLC silica gel plates were used as stationary phase and (toluene: Ethyl acetate: Dietylamine 7:2:1 v/v/v) was used as mobile phase. Result: The R_f value of strychnine and brucine was found as 0.53 and 0.41, respectively. Detection and quantification were performed by densitometry at 270 nm. The calibration plot was linear in the range of 50–1000 ng of strychnine and brucine, respectively, with the correlation coefficient ( r 2) 0.993 and 0.991 for strychnine and brucine, respectively, which confirms good linearity. The content of strychnine was 0.175, 0.07, 0.18, 0.051, and 0.075% w/w whereas brucine was 0.16, 0.117, 0.061, 0.045, and 0.057 in crude azaraqi, azaraqi without outer cover, azaraqi outer cover only, azaraqi mudabbar and azaraqi mudabbar by fried in ghee, respectively. Conclusion: The detoxification results in sharp decrease in content of toxic metabolites. The process by boiling in milk was found much effective but tedious as compare to frying method. KEY WORDS: Brucine, detoxification, high-performance thin layer chromatographic, strychnine, Strychnous nuxvomica Loganiaceae. In Unani System of Medicine, Drugs are classified according to mizaj (temperament). These are Motadil (normal), Derja Awwal (Ist degree), Derja Doem (IInd degree), Derja Some (IIIrd degree), and Derja Chaharum (IVth degree). Some of the drugs have poisonous effects. To minimize the toxic effects, drugs are detoxified, and Amal Tadbeer (detoxification process) is applied. Amal Tadbeer (detoxification process) is a unique process in this system, and drugs are made usable like metals and least toxic when used medicinally. One of the important drugs is Strychnos nux-vomica family. Loganaceae strychnine and brucine are the alkaloids obtained from S. nuxvomica .[ 1 ] It was used originally as a nervine tonic and to treat rheumatic pain.[ 2 ] Since, the azraaqi is an important ingredient of several Unani and herbal formulations such as habbe azaraqi. The present experimental work was carried out for quantification of strychnine and brucine in different samples before and after tadbeer to confirm, the content of these alkaloids before and after tadbeer (detoxification).