# Brucine **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/brucine **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-03-29 **Evidence Score:** 2 / 10 **Category:** Compound **Also Known As:** 2,3-Dimethoxystrychnine, Nux-vomica alkaloid, Strychnos alkaloid, Dimethoxystrychnine, Brucina, False angostura alkaloid, Poison nut alkaloid ## Overview Brucine is a strychnine-related indole alkaloid derived from Strychnos nux-vomica seeds, structurally similar to strychnine but with two methoxy groups that reduce its toxicity. It exerts its primary pharmacological effects by antagonizing glycine receptors and inhibiting [inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) signaling cascades, including NF-κB and COX-2 pathways. ## Health Benefits • Anti-tumor activity: Modern pharmacology suggests potential anti-tumor effects; however, specific studies are not detailed in the research. • [Anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects: Brucine is noted for anti-inflammatory properties, though no specific studies are cited. • Analgesic properties: The compound may offer pain relief, but evidence from clinical trials is not available. • Cardiovascular effects: Suggested benefits on [cardiovascular health](/ingredients/condition/heart-health) are mentioned without detailed studies. • Effects on the nervous system: Brucine may influence nervous system activity, though the exact mechanisms are not documented. ## Mechanism of Action Brucine acts as a competitive antagonist at glycine-gated chloride channels (GlyR), particularly the α1 subunit, which underlies its analgesic and neuromuscular effects. It suppresses inflammatory responses by downregulating NF-κB signaling, reducing prostaglandin E2 synthesis via COX-2 inhibition, and decreasing [pro-inflammatory cytokine](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s such as TNF-α and IL-6. Anti-tumor activity is linked to induction of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis via caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation, alongside cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in certain cancer cell lines. ## Clinical Summary Most evidence for brucine's pharmacological effects comes from in vitro cell studies and rodent models rather than human clinical trials, limiting the strength of current conclusions. Animal studies have demonstrated dose-dependent analgesic effects comparable to moderate NSAID activity, and in vitro studies on hepatocellular carcinoma and breast cancer cell lines show IC50 values in the low micromolar range. A small number of traditional Chinese medicine combination studies have included brucine-containing preparations, but isolating brucine's specific contribution is methodologically difficult. No robust randomized controlled trials in humans exist as of current literature, making any clinical dosing recommendations premature. ## Nutritional Profile Brucine (C23H26N2O4) is a pure alkaloid compound with a molecular weight of 394.47 g/mol, extracted primarily from Strychnos nux-vomica seeds. As an isolated compound rather than a whole food, it has no meaningful macronutrient or micronutrient profile in the conventional dietary sense. Bioactive composition: Brucine itself IS the bioactive compound, typically present at 1-3% concentration alongside strychnine (1-3%) in nux-vomica seeds. Structurally, brucine is a dimethoxy derivative of strychnine, containing two methoxy groups (-OCH3) at positions 2 and 3 of the aromatic ring. Molecular characteristics: contains an indole alkaloid core, a tertiary nitrogen center (pKa ~8.0), and a secondary nitrogen. Bioavailability: brucine demonstrates moderate oral bioavailability; it undergoes hepatic [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) via CYP450 enzymes (primarily CYP3A4), producing hydroxylated metabolites. Plasma half-life is approximately 2-4 hours in animal models. It crosses the blood-brain barrier due to its lipophilic nature (LogP ~1.76). Pharmacologically active concentrations in research studies range from 10-100 mg/kg in animal models. No caloric, protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamin, mineral, or dietary fiber content is applicable, as this is a refined alkaloid compound used exclusively in medicinal and research contexts, not as a food ingredient. ## Dosage & Preparation The research does not provide clinically studied dosage ranges or standardized extract concentrations for brucine. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions Brucine is a potent neurotoxin at elevated doses; the estimated lethal dose in humans is extrapolated at approximately 30–60 mg, causing convulsions, respiratory failure, and rhabdomyolysis similar to but less severe than strychnine poisoning. Common toxic effects at sub-lethal doses include muscle stiffness, hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli, and elevated liver enzymes, indicating hepatotoxicity risk with prolonged exposure. It is contraindicated during pregnancy due to uterotonic effects observed in animal models and should not be combined with CNS depressants, neuromuscular blocking agents, or glycine-receptor-modulating drugs such as certain anticonvulsants. No established safe therapeutic dose exists for human supplementation, and its use outside of highly controlled pharmaceutical research settings is strongly discouraged. ## Scientific Research The research dossier does not include specific human clinical trials or meta-analyses with PMIDs documenting brucine's efficacy. Further peer-reviewed studies are needed to provide this information. ## Historical & Cultural Context Brucine is derived from the Strychnos nux-vomica plant, known for its traditional uses. However, specific historical applications in medicine or traditional systems are not detailed in the research. ## Synergistic Combinations turmeric, boswellia, ginger, quercetin, resveratrol ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What plant does brucine come from? Brucine is extracted primarily from the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica, a tree native to South and Southeast Asia, as well as from Strychnos ignatii. The seeds contain approximately 1.5–5% total alkaloids, of which brucine typically comprises 30–40% alongside its more toxic structural analog strychnine. ### Is brucine safe to take as a supplement? Brucine is not considered safe for unregulated human supplementation due to its narrow therapeutic index and significant neurotoxicity. The margin between a pharmacologically active dose and a toxic dose is extremely small, and no standardized safe human dosage has been clinically established. It remains a substance used in controlled laboratory and pharmaceutical research contexts only. ### How does brucine differ from strychnine? Brucine and strychnine share an identical indole alkaloid core scaffold but brucine carries two methoxy (-OCH3) groups at positions 10 and 11 of the aromatic ring, which reduce its binding affinity at glycine receptors by roughly 50-fold compared to strychnine. This structural difference makes brucine less acutely toxic while preserving partial pharmacological activity, which is why researchers study it as a potentially safer analog for analgesic and anti-tumor applications. ### What cancers has brucine been studied against? In vitro research has examined brucine's effects primarily against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2 cells), breast cancer (MCF-7), gastric cancer, and leukemia cell lines. These studies have reported induction of apoptosis via mitochondrial pathways and inhibition of tumor cell migration, but all findings are preclinical. No human oncology trials have evaluated brucine as a standalone anti-cancer treatment. ### Does brucine have any anti-inflammatory effects and how strong is the evidence? Brucine has demonstrated measurable anti-inflammatory activity in rodent models, including carrageenan-induced paw edema tests, showing reductions in swelling comparable to moderate NSAID doses at 20–40 mg/kg in mice. Its mechanism involves suppression of NF-κB nuclear translocation and reduced COX-2-derived prostaglandin E2 production. However, the evidence base is entirely preclinical, and no human studies have confirmed these effects at safe dosage levels. ### What is the current research quality and evidence level for brucine's health benefits? Most research on brucine's therapeutic potential comes from in vitro and animal studies rather than human clinical trials, limiting the strength of evidence for supplementation. While traditional use and preliminary pharmacological data suggest anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties, robust double-blind controlled trials in humans are largely absent. This gap between laboratory findings and clinical evidence means claims about brucine's efficacy remain largely preliminary and require further investigation. ### Who should avoid brucine supplementation, and are there specific health conditions that contraindicate its use? Brucine should be avoided by pregnant and nursing women due to its potential toxicity and lack of safety data in these populations. Individuals with seizure disorders, cardiovascular conditions, or those taking medications for heart health should consult healthcare providers before use, as brucine's effects on the nervous and cardiovascular systems are not fully characterized. People with liver or kidney dysfunction may face increased risk due to limited data on metabolic processing and clearance. ### What does brucine do in the body, and what is its proposed mechanism of action? Brucine is believed to exert its effects through interactions with the central nervous system, potentially affecting neurotransmitter function and cellular signaling pathways related to pain and inflammation. The compound may work by modulating immune responses and interfering with tumor cell proliferation mechanisms, though the exact molecular targets have not been comprehensively established in human research. Its traditional use in pain relief and anti-inflammatory applications suggests effects on multiple physiological systems, but precise mechanisms remain incompletely understood. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*