Quantitative analysis of strychnine and brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica using 1H-NMR

A quantitative analysis using H-1-NMR (Q-NMR) has been developed for the determination of strychnine and brucine in Strychnos nux-vomica seeds and stems. The advantages of the method are that no reference alkaloids are needed for calibration curves, the quantification could be directly realized on a crude extract, strychnine and brucine could easily be distinguished, an overall profile of the preparation (including non alkaloid compounds) could be directly obtained, and a very significant time-gain could be achieved, in comparison to conventional HPLC methods, for instance.