HPLC and GC-MS: Identification and Quantification of Strychnine and Brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica leaves

In this study, we have aimed to analyze the phytochemical composition of this plant and the concentration of strychnine and brucine. The identification of bioactive compounds was done by GC-MS with NIST Library. Strychnine and Brucine were quantified using HPLC. Twenty one medicinal bio active compounds were identified from the Strychnos nux-vomica leaf ethanolic extract. Strychnine is showing 28.43% purity and brucine was not detected in GCMS analysis. Quantified the concentration of strychnine (0.6 mg in 500mg of extract) and brucine (1.6 mg in 500mg of extract) was done by HPLC against Strychnine and Brucine standard. These compounds are having natural properties of Anti-inflammatory, Hypocholesterole, Cancer preventive, Hepatoprotective, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Cardio protective, Antiaging, Antialzheimeran, Antidermatitic, Immunostimulant, Anthepatotoxic, biosynthesis of steroid hormones, Nematicide, Antiandrogenic, 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, antipsychotic, analgesic, apoptotic effect, antidepressant, antidote for snake poisoning and diabetic activity.

[LC-MS/MS analysis of determination of strychnine and brucine in formaldehyde fixed tissue]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a method for determination of strychnine and brucine in formaldehyde fixed tissue by LC-MS/MS analysis.

METHODS

The samples were pretreated with solid phase extraction using SCX cartridges and separated on SB-C18 column with mobile phase 0.1% formic acid : 0.1% formic acid-acetonitrile (75:25). Electrospray ionization (ESI) source was utilized and operated in positive ion mode. Multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) mode was applied. External standard method was applied for quantitation.

RESULTS

The chromatographic separation of strychnine and brucine in formaldehyde fixed nephritic and hepatic tissues resulted successfully. The standard curve was linear in the range of 0.002-2.0 microg/g for strychnine and brucine in formaldehyde fixed tissues, and the correlation coefficient was more than 0.996. The limits of detection (LOD) of strychnine and brucine in nephritic tissues were 0.06ng/g and 0.03 ng/g, respectively. The LOD of both chemicals were 0.3 ng/g in hepatic tissues. The extraction recovery rate was more than 74.5%. The precision of intra-day and inter-day were both less than 8.2%.

CONCLUSION

Strychnine and brucine can be sensitive to be determined in formaldehyde fixed tissue by LC-MS/MS analysis. It can be applied in the forensic toxicological analysis.

[Determination of brucine and strychnine in rat after cutaneous administration of semen strychni niosome gel by LC-MS/MS]

OBJECTIVE

A sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the determination of brucine and strychnine in rat plasma.

METHOD

Samples were extracted by ethyl acetate-n-butanol (7: 3). Chromatographic separation was operated on ZORBAX XDB-C18 column with gradient elution of acetonitrile-methanol-water (0.05% acetic acid and 10 nmol x L(-1) ammonium formate contained), followed by LC-MS/MS in positive electrospray ionization. Quantification was carried out on multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of the transition m/z 395.2/324.2, m/z 335.2/184.2 and m/z 199.1/171.1 for brucine, strychnine and tacrine (internal standard), respectively.

RESULT

The method was linear in the range of 0.195-100 and 0.07840 microg x L(-1) for brucine and strychnine, with coefficient correlation 0.994 and 0.996 respectively. The recoveries of extraction were 78.9% - 102.4% for brucine and 95.2% - 106.1% for strychnine. Precision, accuracy, stability and matrix effect of the analytes met the requirement. The method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study of brucine and strychnine after cutaneous administration of Semen Strychni niosome gel. The C(max) were (26.20 +/- 5.81) and (12.50 +/- 3.00) microg x L(-1) while the AUC(0-infinity), were (193.75 +/- 39.43) and (98.25 +/- 28.54) microg x h x L(-1) of the two components.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the niosomes may reduce the systemic exposures and prolong the local release of brucine and strychnine.

A new method for the simultaneous analysis of strychnine and brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica unprocessed and processed seeds using a carbon-paste electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

INTRODUCTION

Strychnos nux-vomica L. (Loganiaceae), widely used in folk medicine, is grown extensively in southern Asian countries. Its major bioactive constituents are strychnine and brucine, which are frequently used in traditional herbal medicines for treatment of nervous diseases, vomiting and traumatic pain.

OBJECTIVE

A new method using a carbon-paste electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT/CPE) was developed and validated for single or simultaneous determination of strychnine and brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica seeds. Additionally, an environmentally friendly method was successfully applied to reduce the levels of strychnine and brucine in seeds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cyclic voltammetry, chronocoulometry and differential pulse voltammetry were used with multi-walled carbon nanotube modified carbon-paste electrodes.

RESULTS

The peak currents increase linearly with the strychnine and brucine concentrations in the ranges of 50-1000 and 5-355 µ m, and the detection limits for strychnine and brucine were 0.43 and 0.28 µ m, respectively. Of the processing methods used, the greatest reduction in the strychnine and brucine levels was observed in samples processed using milk and saltwater.

CONCLUSION

A new, sensitive and selective method was developed for the measurement of strychnine and brucine. This method was successfully applied to the determination of strychnine and brucine in unprocessed and processed Strychnos nux-vomica seed.

HSQC-ADEQUATE correlation: a new paradigm for establishing a molecular skeleton

Various experimental methods have been developed to unequivocally identify vicinal neighbor carbon atoms. Variants of the HMBC experiment intended for this purpose have included 2J3J-HMBC and H2BC. The 1,1-ADEQUATE experiment, in contrast, was developed to accomplish the same goal but relies on the (1) J(CC) coupling between a proton-carbon resonant pair and the adjacent neighbor carbon. Hence, 1,1-ADEQUATE can identify non-protonated adjacent neighbor carbons, whereas the 2J3J-HMBC and H2BC experiments require both neighbor carbons to be protonated to operate. Since 1,1-ADEQUATE data are normally interpreted with close reference to an HSQC spectrum of the molecule in question, we were interested in exploring the unsymmetrical indirect covariance processing of multiplicity-edited GHSQC and 1,1-ADEQUATE spectra to afford an HSQC-ADEQUATE correlation spectrum that facilitates the extraction of carbon-carbon connectivity information. The HSQC-ADEQUATE spectrum of strychnine is shown and the means by which the carbon skeleton can be conveniently traced is discussed.

Variable angle NMR spectroscopy and its application to the measurement of residual chemical shift anisotropy

The successful measurement of anisotropic NMR parameters like residual dipolar couplings (RDCs), residual quadrupolar couplings (RQCs), or residual chemical shift anisotropy (RCSA) involves the partial alignment of solute molecules in an alignment medium. To avoid any influence of the change of environment from the isotropic to the anisotropic sample, the measurement of both datasets with a single sample is highly desirable. Here, we introduce the scaling of alignment for mechanically stretched polymer gels by varying the angle of the director of alignment relative to the static magnetic field, which we call variable angle NMR spectroscopy (VA-NMR). The technique is closely related to variable angle sample spinning NMR spectroscopy (VASS-NMR) of liquid crystalline samples, but due to the mechanical fixation of the director of alignment no sample spinning is necessary. Also, in contrast to VASS-NMR, VA-NMR works for the full range of sample inclinations between 0° and 90°. Isotropic spectra are obtained at the magic angle. As a demonstration of the approach we measure ¹³C-RCSA values for strychnine in a stretched PDMS/CDCl₃ gel and show their usefulness for assignment purposes. In this context special care has been taken with respect to the exact calibration of chemical shift data, for which three approaches have been derived and tested.

Ammonium sulfate gradient loading of brucine into liposomes: effect of phospholipid composition on entrapment efficiency and physicochemical properties in vitro

BACKGROUND

Brucine, the major active alkaloid constituent extracted from traditional Chinese herbal medicine Nux vomica, had been found to possess remarkable antitumor, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we attempted to encapsulate brucine into liposomes to improve its therapeutic effects. The entrapment efficiency (EE) and the stability of liposomes are two key factors associated with the therapeutic effects of liposomal drugs. We developed a novel liposome-based brucine formulation that was composed of soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC) and hydrogenated soybean phosphatidylcholine (HSPC).

METHOD

The liposomes with different phospholipid composition were characterized for their EE, vesicle size, drug release profile, and leakage in vitro.

RESULTS

The molar ratio of HSPC/SPC = 1:9 was determined as the optimum ratio. Compared with conventional liposomes composed of only SPC or HSPC, EE of the brucine-loaded novel liposomes was increased markedly, especially at high drug/lipid molar ratios. The results of drug release showed that the novel liposomes were more stable than the conventional SPC liposomes in the presence of fetal calf serum. In addition, the results of the leakage experiments revealed that the novel liposomes also had better stability in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) with respect to drug retention. Although the conventional HSPC liposomes is more stable than the novel liposomes, the novel liposomes composed of 10% HSPC and 90% SPC may still have promising application potential because HSPC is much more expensive than SPC.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, efficient encapsulation of brucine into the novel liposomes, their improved stability, and the price of phospholipids indicate that the novel liposomes may act as promising carriers for active alkaloids such as brucine.

[A comparative study on HPLC fingerprint of Semen Strychni and the processed]

OBJECTIVE

To establish the fingerprint of Semen Strychni and the processed by HPLC.

METHODS

The HPLC Method was used, the chromatgraphic conditions were as follows: Chromatographic column: Lichrospher C18 (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm), mobile phase: solvent A consisted of water-ethanoic acid-triethylamine (100: 0.2: 0.2), solvent B contained acetonitril (gradient elution), column temperature: 30 degrees C, flow rate: 1.0 mL/min, detection wavelength: 254 nm.

RESULTS

The similar degree of 10 batch samples buiding sharing mode of crude drug and processed product was above 0.9. 18 common peaks in chromatograms were separated from 10 batches of Semen Strychni samples and 21 common peaks in chromatograms were separated from 10 batches of the processed.

CONCLUSION

This study establishes the HPLC fingerprint commonmode, and researches the difference between Semen Strychni and the processed in HPLC fingerprint.

Adiabatic z-filtered J-spectroscopy for absorptive homonuclear decoupled spectra

J-resolved NMR spectroscopy is a well-established method for measuring coupling constants or enhancing the resolution in homonuclear experiments. Classical J-spectra typically suffer from inevitable dispersive signal contributions and the occurrence of "ghost peaks" due to strong coupling effects. In this article, a J-resolved-type experiment with an adiabatic z-filter element for the selection of inphase magnetization and quadrature detection in the indirect dimension is presented. The phase-sensitive recording scheme allows the distinction of strong coupling artefacts from symmetry relations and the full multiplet obtained by the experiment can be reduced by a simple pattern recognition algorithm. In addition to the J-resolved experiment, a second experiment is introduced that correlates strongly coupled spins. The possibility of homonuclear decoupling using the J-resolved experiment with the pattern recognition algorithm is demonstrated on a number of samples with a detailed description of potential strong coupling artefacts.

HPLC-UV method for nicotine, strychnine, and aconitine in dairy products

The toxic nitrogen alkaloids nicotine, strychnine, and aconitine were quantitated in whole milk, skim milk, and cream using solid-phase extraction cleanup and HPLC-UV with dual wavelength detection. Samples were extracted in McIlvaine's buffer with EDTA and then partitioned with aqueous acetonitrile and hexane. The aqueous phase was concentrated and passed through an OASIS HLB column. The column was eluted with methylene chloride/ammonium hydroxide, 1 mL/1 microL, v/v. The eluent was acidified with hydrochloric acid and evaporated. The sample was diluted for HPLC with acetonitrile/phosphate buffer pH 7.4. Chromatography was performed on an Xterra RP-18 column using a gradient of acetonitrile and ammonium bicarbonate buffer at pH 9.8. Nicotine and strychnine were monitored at 260 nm; aconitine was monitored at 232 nm. Calibration curves were generated from external standards in the range 0.2-10 microg/mL using 1/x weighting. Mean recoveries in whole milk spiked between 0.1 and 10 ppm were the following: nicotine 89.2%, strychnine 75.7%, and aconitine 85.1%. Mean recoveries in skim milk spiked between 0.1 and 10 ppm were the following: nicotine 72.1%, strychnine 78.2%, and aconitine 82.9%. Mean recoveries in cream spiked between 0.2 and 20 ppm were the following: nicotine 87.9%, strychnine 76.9%, and aconitine 82.0%. Relative standard deviations of recovery were less than 20% in each case.

[Studies on quality control methods of nuxvomica]

Two quality control methods of nuxvomica were established for mutual. By selecting the appropriate measuring wavelength or wavelength range, the contents of strychnine and brucine in nuxvomica were determined without any preliminary separation by a new rapid spectrophotometry and a multi-wavelength linear regression spectrophotometry and with a computer program. The linear range of strychnine measured was 8.0-30.0 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.999 9); The linear range of brucine measured was 7.0-31.2 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.999 4). The average recoveries and relative standard deviations of strychnine and brucine were 98.18%-99.82%, 0.56%-1.54% and 100.5%-100.6%, 0.57%-0.62%, respectively. The methods are simple, rapid and reproducible, the interference of two components with each other may be eliminated and the methods are appropriate for quality control of nuxvomica.

Separation and determination of strychnine and brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica L. and its preparation by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis

An easy, rapid method for simultaneous determination of strychnine and brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica L. and its preparation was developed by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) without pretreatment for the first time. Optimum separation was achieved with a fused-silica capillary column (50 cmx75 microm i.d.) and a running buffer containing 30 mM ammonium acetate, 1.0% acetic acid and 15% acetonitrile (ACN) in methanol medium. The applied voltage was 30.0 kV. The analytes were detected by UV at 214 nm. The effects of concentration of ammonium acetate, acetic acid and organic modifier on electrophoretic behavior of the analytes were studied. The established method with sophoridine as internal standard was linear in the range of 5-1000 mg/mL for both strychnine and brucine. The extracts of Strychnos nux-vomica and its preparation could be directly injected for determination with recoveries ranging from 94.5 to 104%.

Analysis of strychnos alkaloids using electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry

The fragmentations of four strychnos alkaloids have been investigated by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS) in the positive ion mode. Experiments using multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-FT-ICR-MSn) allowed us to obtain precise elemental compositions of product ions at high mass resolution. The experimental data demonstrated that the nitrogen bridge and the coordinated oxygen atom on the nitrogen bridge in the alkaloid compounds were the active sites in the MS2 fragmentations. The loss of CH3 or the OCH3 group in those alkaloids, which have an OCH3 substituent, was the dominant fragmentation mode in the MS3 fragmentations. Logical fragmentation schemes for strychnos alkaloids have been proposed and these should be useful for the identification of these compounds.

Rapid separation of strychnine and brucine on a dynamically modified poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchip followed by electrochemical detection

A method has been developed for rapidly separating and detecting strychnine and brucine using a poly(dimethysiloxane) (PDMS) microchip and electrochemical (EC) detection. PDMS microchannels dynamically modified by Brij35 are shown to be more efficient than native ones. The two analytes are well separated within 90 s in 70 mmol/L acetate buffer (pH 5.5) containing 0.01% (v/v) Brij35. Detection limits were found to be 1.0 micromol/L for strychnine and 0.2 micromol/L for brucine at S/N = 3. The method was used to determine trace strychnine and brucine in rat serum, and the results obtained correlate well with those obtained via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

[Concentration and determination of strychnine alkaloid in biological fluids]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a new method for determination of strychnine alkaloid in biological fluids based on molecularly imprinted polymers.

METHODS

A strychnine molecularly imprinted monolithic column was prepared by in-situ molecularly imprinted technique. The polymer was filled to a 1cm column, and a method was developed to concentrate and determine strychnine alkaloids in biological fluids.

RESULTS

the limit of detection of the method was 4.9 ng, and the recoveries were more than 92%. The relative standard deviations were smaller than 6.59%. The linear correlation coefficients of standard curves were 0.999 1 and 0.9966 respectively. This method was applied to concentrate and determine strychnine in plasma and urine of poisoned rabbit.

CONCLUSION

The new method could concentrate and simultaneously determine strychnine alkaloids in biological fluids, and it was applied to forensic toxicological analysis.

Direct determination of brucine by square wave voltammetry on 4-amino-2-mercaptopyrimidine self-assembled monolayer gold electrode

4-Amino-2-mercaptopyrimidine self-assembled monolayer (AMP SAMs/Au) was prepared on a gold electrode. The AMP SAMs/Au was characterized by using attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and A.C. Impedance. The electrochemical behavior of brucine on AMP SAMs/Au was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The modified electrode showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity for the redox of brucine. The catalytic current increased linearly with the concentration of brucine in the range of 4.0 x 10(-7) to 2.0 x 10(-4) mol l(-1) by square wave voltammetry response. The detection limit was 6.0 x 10(-8) mol l(-1).

Development of a high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy method for the determination of strychnine concentrations in insects used to assess potential risks to insectivores

A high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) method was developed in support of a study to assess potential tertiary risks posed to insectivores by strychnine baited pocket gophers (Thomomys sp.). Necropholous insects are primary consumers of pocket gopher carcasses. A field study was conducted to collect insects from strychnine-baited and control pocket gopher carcasses. The majority of the insects collected were from the orders Diptera (flies, assayed separately as adults and larvae), Coleoptera (beetles), and Hymenoptera (ants and wasps, assayed separately). Samples (0.5 g) were extracted in acetic acid (2%) and analyzed with the mass spectrometer configured for tandem mass spectrometry. For most of the samples the strychnine concentrations were less than the method limit of detection. However, strychnine concentrations as high as 0.338, 0.341, 0.698, and 0.034 microg/g were detected in ants, fly adults, fly larvae, and beetles, respectively. This information collected with the HPLC/MS method is critical for assessing potential non-target hazards for insectivores.

Sensitivity of the neuronal network biosensor to environmental threats

It is widely acknowledged that there is a critical need for broad-spectrum environmental threat detection. While cells/tissue-based biosensors have been discussed for many years as a means of meeting this critical need, these kinds of systems have met with logistic concerns, in particular with regard to stability. Our group has been working with cultured neuronal networks, which have the capacity to respond to a wide range of neuroactive compounds and are sufficiently robust to be shipped to end users. The basis of operation involves extracellular recording using thin-film microelectrode arrays where spontaneous bioelectrical activity, that is, spike firing, can be monitored in a noninvasive manner conducive for potentially long-term measurements. This work describes the current status of our efforts for the fabrication of a portable biosensor that incorporates cultured neuronal networks grown over standardized microelectrode arrays. Based on our protocol for aqueous phase sample introduction under constant flow conditions, minimal variation in mean spike rate is observed, consistent with temporal stability, such that changes of > 10% are readily distinguished. To demonstrate the capability of this system, changes are reported in mean spike rate and network synchronization resulting from exposure to different model environmental threats, cadmium and strychnine. The sensitivity of this assay approach and implications of the experimental findings for environmental threat detection are discussed.

Analysis of Strychnine and Brucine in Postmortem Specimens by RP-HPLC: A Case Report of Fatal Intoxication

A sensitive method for the identification and quantitation of the toxic alkaloids strychnine and brucine from postmortem specimens has been established. After solid-phase extraction using Oasis MCX cartridges the extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. The limit of detection was 0.5 ng/mL blood for strychnine and brucine, and the limit of quantitation was 5 ng/mL blood for strychnine and brucine. The method was applied for the analysis of blood and gastric contents of a 34-year-old female who died after ingestion of a packet of herbal medicine powder containing the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica L. Strychnine and brucine were detected in all the samples. The concentration in our case is consistent with that in previous reports.

Capillary electrophoresis with field-enhanced stacking for rapid and sensitive determination of strychnine and brucine

A new capillary electrophoresis procedure with field-enhanced stacking concentration for the analysis of strychnine and brucine is established. After optimization of the separation and concentration conditions, the two alkaloids can be separated within 5 min and quantified with high sensitivity (The detection limits were 1.0 ng mL(-1) for strychnine and 1.4 ng mL(-1) for brucine). The method was useful for qualitative and quantitative analysis of strychnine and brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica L with recovery of 105.1% for strychnine and 98.4% for brucine.

[HPLC determination of strychnine and brucine in Semen Strychni and its processed products]

OBJECTIVE

This paper reports a HPLC method for determinition of strychnine and brucine in Semen Strychni and its processed products of Jiangxi method and innovated methed.

METHOD

SiO2 was used as the stationary phase, n-hexane-dichloromethane-methanol-ammonia(47.5:47.5:5:0.35) as the mobile phase, with detection wavelength of 254 nm.

RESULT

The contents of strychnine and brucine in the processed products of Jiangxi are lower.

CONCLUSION

This method is accurate, simple and reliable.

Determination of berberine and strychnine in medicinal plants and herbal preparations by pressurized liquid extraction with capillary zone electrophoresis

A simple and rapid method for the determination of berberine and strychnine in medicinal plants and herbal preparations for regulatory purposes using a home-made pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) system with capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) using ultraviolet detection at 254 nm was developed. The effects of pH, concentration of buffer, and organic modifiers in the electrophoretic separation were investigated. The buffer used for CZE contained 50 mM ammonium acetate, pH 3.1. The effect of temperature on the extraction efficiency of strychnine in medicinal plants by PLE was demonstrated. Comparable or higher extraction efficiency was achieved with PLE for strychnine in medicinal plants and berberine in herbal preparations compared to soxhlet extraction. The effect of matrix interference in medicinal plants and herbal preparations containing a number of medicinal plants samples using CZE was investigated by standard additional experiments. The reproducibility of the method using PLE with CZE was found to vary between 2.4 and 10.7% (n = 5/6) for different types of samples on different days.

Dermal exposure to strychnine

A non-fatal case of strychnine poisoning through dermal exposure is described. About 24 h after cleaning up a strychnine spill, a 50-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with classical signs of strychnine poisoning, consisting of marked pain in the muscles of her lower limbs, dermal sensitivity, and stiffness in her jaw. Her treatment was intravenous fluid replacement and alkalinization in anticipation of potential renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis. Her plasma creatine kinase was elevated to 677 U/L with no rise in the heart specific MB fraction. Serum myoglobin level obtained retrospectively was 195 microg/L. Biological samples were taken approximately 28 h after her exposure. Strychnine was measured in plasma (196 ng/mL) and urine (6,850 ng/mL) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The small amount of pheniramine in the plasma (35 ng/mL) and urine (1,255 ng/mL) is considered an inconsequential finding.

Separation and determination of strychnine and brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica L. and its preparation by capillary zone electrophoresis

A capillary zone electrophoresis method was developed for the separation and determination of strychnine and brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica L. and its preparation. The factors that could affect the separation were studied, such as the types and concentrations of electrolytes, pH, ionic strength and organic modifier. The optimum running buffer was 20 mmol/L of ammonium acetate containing 0.2 mol/L of glacial acetic acid (pH 3.64). The applied voltage was 25 kV and the wavelength of the UV detector was set at 214 nm. The established method with dopamine hydrochloride as internal standard was linear in the range of 5-100 microg/mL for both strychnine and brucine. The recovery was 102.96% for strychnine and 98.56% for brucine. The extracts of Strychnos nux-vomica and its preparation could be directly injected for analysis.

[Determination of brucine in seed dressing agents by high performance liquid chromatography]

An HPLC method for the determination of brucine in seed dressing agents was investigated. The sample solution was separated on a Spherisorb C18 column(4.6 mm i.d. x 200 mm, 5 microns) with CH3OH-H2O-CTAB (88:12:0.04, m/m) as the mobile phase and detected at 254 nm. Calibration curve of brucine was obtained for the concentration range of 0.01 g/L-0.25 g/L. The linear regression equation was A = 11,485,814 rho + 21,229, r = 0.9997. The RSD was 1.2%(n = 11). The results show that this method is simple, specific and accurate.

Analytical method for the determination of strychnine in tissues by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry: two case reports

This paper describes an analytical method for strychnine determination in biological samples by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and their application in the investigation of two cases involving strychnine ingestion: A fatal case and a clinical one. The strychnine is isolated from biological samples using a liquid-liquid extraction procedure. The clean-up procedure is performed using an acid solution. Papaverine is used as internal standard in the quantification of strychnine. In the analysed specimens, the limits of quantification were 0.1 microg/ml or 0.1 microg/g. The recovery rate ranged from 75.0% to 98.7% and the coefficients of variation ranged from 4.8% to 10.5%.

Determination of atropine in biological fluids by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography in the presence of strychnine and tetracaine

The identification and quantitation of atropine, in whole blood and gastric contents in the presence of strychnine and tetracaine is described. This method uses liquid-liquid extraction and micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MECC). Separations are made using a 50 cm long capillary and a borate/phosphate buffer at pH 9.2 with 50 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Linearity was established for the three compounds between 1.0 and 100 microg/mL, using scopolamine as internal standard. The limit of detection for atropine was estimated at 0.06 microg/mL and the limit of quantitation at 0.2 microg/mL. The run time is less than 30 min. Alternate parameters are proposed to reduce the run time to under 10 min. The method was applied to a forensic post-mortem case.

[Influence of processing methods on alkaloid, toxicity and effect of Strychnos nux-vomica L]

Determination has been made on the contents of strychnine, brucine and ephedrin in different processed products of Strychnos nux-vomica. The acute toxicity, analgesic and antiphlogistic actions of these products have also been detected. The result shows that the product processed with Ephedra sinica can reduce toxicity and promote curative effect. Among the different processing methods the preparation with Ephedra and Liqorice root and the preparation with Ephedra and alcohol appear better and thus useful in practical application.

[Determation of strychnine and brucine in Strychnos by HPLC]

This paper describes the determination of strychnine and brucine in the seeds, root, stem and leaves of Strychnos species by HPLC. The analytical column used was ZY110 YNG-C18. The mobile phase was KH2PO4(0.01 mol.L-1)--MeOH(73:27), pH2.5, regulated by 10% H3PO4. Flow rate was 1.0 ml.min-1. The detection wavelength was 264 nm. The linear ranges of strychmine and brucine were 0.18-7.26 micrograms and 0.11-4.32 micrograms, respectively. The recoveries of strychnine and brucine were 98.27% and 98.04%, respectively. The analytical results showed that the contents of strychnine and brucine in samples showed great difference between different species. The contents of strychnine in the seeds of Strychnos wallichiana and S. ignatii were 5.6% and 3.9%, respectively. These results show that the two Strychnos species may be developed as the resources of strychnine.

Homicide by strychnine poisoning

Homicide by strychnine has become very rare during the last decades. Its bitter taste and the violent mode of death commonly aroused suspicion of poisoning and this, together with its ease of chemical detection, deterred criminals from using it. We present the case of an elderly woman who arrived at the hospital casualty department in extremis and with severe convulsions. Her death was certified nevertheless as due to natural causes and she was buried without the death being reported to the Director of Public Prosecutions. It was not until a month later that investigation led to the exhumation of the body. Biological samples were found to contain strychnine sulphate. The perpetrator was charged and later confessed.

Evaluation of an HPTLC method for the determination of strychnine and crimidine in biological samples

In an attempt to improve the sensitivity and selectivity of thin-layer chromatographic analysis for the detection of strychnine and crimidine in biological samples, a rapid high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method with densitometry is described. Fortified dog serum and stomach content samples were analyzed after extraction with chloroform. Quantitation was achieved by densitometry in the ultraviolet (UV) range (260 nm) of HPTLC silica gel 60 plates. Detection of trace levels as low as 5 ng proved feasible. Linearity was obtained over a range of 10-250-ng deposits for crimidine and 12.5-250-ng deposits for strychnine with simple or F254 plates. No interferences were observed in the UV spectra (220-380 nm) when peaks obtained with HPTLC of the standard substances and positive biological contents were scanned.

Determination of strychnine and brucine by capillary zone electrophoresis

A procedure for quantitative estimation of strychnine and brucine in the extracts of Strychnos nux-vomica seeds by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was developed. The buffer solution used was 10mM phosphate buffer-MeOH (9:1), pH 2.5. The linear calibration range was 0.01-0.15 mg/ml. This method is useful for the qualitative and quantitative determination of strychnine and brucine in plant drug samples, as well as in human plasma.

Comparison of reversed-phase and ion-pair chromatography for the determination of strychnine in animal tissues

Ion-pair and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were evaluated for quantification of strychnine in mountain beaver tissues. Retention time shifts hindered strychnine quantification with both HPLC systems. Co-extracted free fatty acids released during storage formed ion-pairs with strychnine, resulting in increased retention by reversed-phase HPLC. Competition with co-extracted basic compounds is likely responsible for the decreased retention of strychnine by ion-pair HPLC. Following an acid-base clean-up, optimal results were obtained with reversed-phase HPLC. Ion-pair chromatography was then used for qualitative confirmation of strychnine residues.

[Influence of different processing methods of four alkaloid contents in Strychnos nux-vomica L]

The contents of four alkaloids in different processed products of Strychnos nux-vomica hamely, vomicine, icajine, strychnine N-oxide and brucine N-oxide, were determined by TLC-densitometry. The relationship between alkaloid contents and processing methods was studied.

[Effect of processing on the alkaloids in Strychnos nux-vomica L]

The contents of strychnine, brucine, isostrychnine and isobrucine in different processed products of Strychnos nux-vomica were determined by TLC-densitometry. The relationship of the contents of strychnos alkaloids with processing methods was studied.

[Effect of processing on the extraction of alkaloids from Strychnos]

Results of experiments showed that the contents of strychnine and brucine were about the same in decoction of Strychnos nux-vomica and S. pierriana, but the contents of vomicine, strychnine N-oxide and brucine N-oxide were greater in the former than in the latter. The contents of strychnine and brucine were greater under scalding with hot sand than deep-frying with sesame oil.

Strychnine poisoning in an adolescent

One half hour following the ingestion of a possibly tainted antibiotic capsule, a 14 year-old female experienced acute onset of stiffness and weakness in her lower extremities. She subsequently survived despite the development of convulsions, severe lactic acidosis (pH 6.86), hyperthermia (Temp 40.5 degrees C) and rhabdomyolysis. Toxicology testing confirmed the presence of strychnine in blood, gastric aspirate, and urine. Her course, history and outcome are presented and the pharmacokinetics, the mechanism of action, signs and symptoms and treatment of strychnine poisoning are reviewed.

What was injected?--A suggested analytical protocol

Excision of an injection site, simple solvent extraction of the excised tissue, and direct injection of an aliquot of the solvent into a GC/MS was shown to allow determination of what was injected in 3 separate cases.

[Studies on the relation of alkaloids in semen Strychni and its processing]

This paper reports the determination of strychnine and brucine in different parts of Semen Strychni (the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica and S. pierriana), and makes a comparison of the contents between the crude forms and processed products of the two seeds. Based on the results, the authors have made some discussion about the relationship between the alkaloid distribution in Semen Strychni and its processing.

The detection and estimation of (A) arsenic in opium, and (B) strychnine in opium and heroin, as a means of identification of their respective sources

Samples of opium with arsenic as an adulterant, and both opium and heroin with strychnine as an adulterant are not infrequently encountered in the local drug scene. The paper describes a method for the possible identification of the sources of opium and heroin in the local market on the basis of an accurate quantitation of the adulterant arsenic and strychnine contents of the respective samples. A possible extension of this concept, would be the possibility of a similar identification of sources outside the country with a view to establishing channels of entry from abroad. Arsenic is determined by the Gutzeit method while strychnine is estimated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Analytical studies on illicit heroin. V. Efficacy of volatilization during heroin smoking

The recovery of heroin in fumes was investigated. In the Netherlands the common mode of heroin smoking is the 'chasing the dragon' procedure: heroin is heated on an aluminium foil by a lighter and the fumes are inhaled. The efficiency of the volatilization of heroin using this procedure was studied under laboratory conditions using thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography. A considerable influence of the form (salt or base) of the heroin was found as well as strong influences of other substances that may be present in illicit heroin samples as diluents. The danger of the inhalation of fumes containing unknown pyrolysis products is mentioned and a hypothesis is given for the phenomenon of 'heroin'-leucoencephalopathy that was observed in heroin smokers in Amsterdam in 1981. The types of heroin encountered in the Netherlands are discussed with regard to their suitability for smoking.

Fatal strychnine ingestion

A postmortem case involving ingestion of a strychnine-containing preparation is reported. Strychnine levels were determined in blood, urine, bile, liver, kidney, stomach contents, small and large intestines, and brain. The procedure, which is sensitive and specific, employs a gas-liquid chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID). The extraction procedure using 5 mL of body fluids or tissue homogenate is described in detail. This is the first strychnine mortality in Allegheny County within a period of 20 years.

Liquid chromatographic determination of strychnine in stomach contents

A chloroform extract of stomach contents at basic pH is concentrated and then extracted with 0.1 M phosphoric acid. The acid extract is chromatographed on a 10 cm reverse phase column, using 0.005 M phosphate buffer (pH 3.0)-acetonitrile-tetrahydrofuran (750 + 135 + 115) containing 0.01 M octanesulfonic acid at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min for elution. Strychnine eluted in 7.3 min. Recoveries from spiked stomach contents averaged 92%. The method can be used without modification for other alkaloids.

Liquid chromatographic determination of strychnine as poison in domestic animals

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described, using a preliminary thin layer chromatographic (TLC) screen followed by LC quantitation of strychnine in biological specimens of domestic animals. The TLC solvent system is also used as the LC mobile phase. Samples are extracted using acidic acetone, followed by evaporation of the acetone. The aqueous residue is extracted with ethyl ether, made basic with ammonium carbonate, and back-extracted into methylene chloride before TLC-LC analysis. The method has been successfully applied to liver, kidney, and urine specimens, as well as stomach contents. Six replicates each of a 0.75 and 7.5 ppm strychnine standard were taken through the method; recoveries ranged from 94 to 104%. Six replicates of a naturally incurred canine liver sample had a mean value of 3.9 ppm strychnine, with a standard deviation of 0.138 and a coefficient of variation of 3.58%.

The rapid estimation of strychnine in tincture of nux vomica BP by high-performance liquid chromatography

Strychnine is separated from other alkaloids in nux vomica tincture in less than 6 min on a 12.5 cm Hypersil column using a mobile phase of methanol, 2 M ammonium hydroxide, M ammonium nitrate (27:2:1), uv detection at 254 nm. Quantitative estimation may be obtained by comparing peak area or height against an external standard (0.150% w/v strychnine base in 45% ethanol). The results obtained were comparable to those obtained by the BP method which takes 5 h.