Ayurvedic processings of nux-vomica: Qualitative and quantitative determination of total alkaloidal contents and relative toxicity

The seeds of Strychnos nuxvomica Linn. (Loganiaceae) were processed as prescribed in the Ayurvedic classics. The seeds were soaked in Kanji (3 days; Sample A); boiled in cow milk (3 h; Sample B); soaked in cow urine (7 days), boiled in cow milk (3 h) and roasted in cow ghee (till swollen; Sample C) and a sample roasted in cow ghee (till swollen; Sample D). The processed nux vomica were compared with an untreated sample (Sample E) to assess the effect of processing. This study evaluated the percentage change in total alkaloidal content (TAC). The chromatographic finger printing was carried out using HPTLC and LC-MS. The chromatograms obtained exhibit the different modifications in the alkaloidal constituents of the processed and the unprocessed nux vomica. Sample B and C exhibited a relatively low percentage of TAC when compared with the TAC of unprocessed seeds. Among the two processed samples, TAC of Sample B showed development of some distinct new peaks with a different Rf/Rt, when compared with other samples. Also, both the samples were found to be relatively less toxic towards orally dosed albino mice