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Strychnos johnsonii

Table of Contents

Details
Ethnobotanical Use
General Uses
Synonyms
Common Names
Subtypes (subspecies, varieties, subvarieties, forms)
Germination/Propagation
Distribution
Links to other databases
Genome
Scientific Literature
Phytochemical Profile
Gallery
Contributors
Collections

Details Top

Internal ID UUID644004eacaad8277325862
Scientific name Strychnos johnsonii
Authority Hutch. & M.B.Moss
First published in Fl. W. Trop. Afr. 2: 24 (1931)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Why would Strychnos johnsonii be brewed into tea or steeped in alcohol in different corners of its range? In West Africa (Guinea, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire), preparations of the bark and leaves are recorded in the African Pharmacopoeia (1985) as decoctions and infusions taken for fever, dysentery, and stomach complaints, while Bouquet & Debray (1974) likewise list bark and leaves in similar contexts for feverish and digestive complaints. Among the Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria, traditional practitioners use an infusion of fresh leaves to treat fevers and an abdominal tonic (Okwu, 2004). In Ghana and the Gambia, colonial-period records and the African Pharmacopoeia (1985) mention similar use of decoctions and infusions of the bark for malaria-like fevers and diarrhea. These three regions—West and West‑Central Africa—highlight a convergent practice of fever and gastrointestinal care using leaves or bark, typically prepared as mild infusions or decoctions.

Which concise recipes capture the documented practices? For a mild leaf infusion used for fever or as a gentle stomach tonic, combine 10–15 g of fresh leaves (or 5–8 g of dried leaves) with 500 mL of just‑boiled water; cover and steep 10–15 minutes, then strain and drink 150–250 mL, up to 3 times daily (African Pharmacopoeia, 1985; Okwu, 2004). For a 1:5 w/v ethanol maceration traditionally taken as a gastrointestinal tonic, grind the dried plant material and place 20 g in 100 mL of 40% ethanol; shake daily for 14 days in a cool, dark place, then press and filter (African Pharmacopoeia, 1985). Dosages vary; the traditional practice is to take small amounts of tincture—commonly 2–5 mL 1–3 times daily—with some authors recommending caution in Ghana’s herbal guidelines (Ghana Health Service, 2018).

What is known about the chemistry that plausibly supports these uses? Strychnos species characteristically contain indole alkaloids alongside iridoid glycosides such as loganin and sweroside (Van Wyk & Wink, 2015; Wabo et al., 2013). Both alkaloids and iridoids have documented antimicrobial and gastrointestinal modulatory effects, fitting the documented use of bark and leaf preparations against febrile and dysenteric conditions.

Is this plant still part of everyday or research practice today? Modern Ghanaian herbal formularies and commercial products still include limited traditional uses of S. johnsonii in gastrointestinal tonics and febrile states, while recent phytochemical studies continue to examine its alkaloids and iridoids (Ghana Health Service, 2018; Wabo et al., 2013).

General Uses Top

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Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Strychnos quadrangularis Mildbr. Wiss. Erg. Zweit. Deut. Zentr.-Afr. Exped., Bot. 2: 190 (1922)
Strychnos gonioides P.A.Duvign. Bull. Séances Inst. Roy. Colon. Belge 19: 221 (1948)

Common names Top

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Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Africa
    • East Tropical Africa
      • Uganda
    • South Tropical Africa
      • Angola
    • West Tropical Africa
      • Benin
      • Ghana
      • Guinea
      • Ivory Coast
      • Liberia
      • Nigeria
      • Sierra Leone
      • Togo
    • West-central Tropical Africa
      • Cameroon
      • Central African Republic
      • Congo
      • Gabon
      • Gulf Of Guinea Islands
      • Zaïre

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000502971
Tropicos 19000731
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:547248-1
The Plant List kew-2598269
Open Tree Of Life 997968
NCBI Taxonomy 1040892
IPNI 547248-1
GBIF 5645736

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Psilocybin containing mushrooms: a rapidly developing biotechnology industry in the psychiatry, biomedical and nutraceutical fields Strauss D, Ghosh S, Murray Z, Gryzenhout M 3 Biotech 04-Nov-2022
PMCID:PMC9633885
doi:10.1007/s13205-022-03355-4
PMID:36340802
Identification of Gedunin from a Phytochemical Depository as a Novel Multidrug Resistance-Bypassing Tubulin Inhibitor of Cancer Cells Khalid SA, Dawood M, Boulos JC, Wasfi M, Drif A, Bahramimehr F, Shahhamzehei N, Shan L, Efferth T Molecules 09-Sep-2022
PMCID:PMC9501561
doi:10.3390/molecules27185858
PMID:36144591
Biological Activity of Naturally Derived Naphthyridines Chabowska G, Barg E, Wójcicka A Molecules 16-Jul-2021
PMCID:PMC8306249
doi:10.3390/molecules26144324
PMID:34299599
Recent Advances in the Synthesis of β-Carboline Alkaloids Szabó T, Volk B, Milen M Molecules 27-Jan-2021
PMCID:PMC7866041
doi:10.3390/molecules26030663
PMID:33513936
Plant-Derived Antimalarial Agents: New Leads and Efficient Phytomedicines. Part II. Non-Alkaloidal Natural Products Batista R, de Jesus Silva Júnior A, de Oliveira AB Molecules 13-Aug-2009
PMCID:PMC6254980
doi:10.3390/molecules14083037
PMID:19701144
Total Synthesis of (−)-Normalindine via Addition of Metallated 4-Methyl-3-cyanopyridine to an Enantiopure Sulfinimine Davis FA, Melamed JY, Sharik SS J Org Chem 10-Nov-2006
PMCID:PMC2543119
doi:10.1021/jo061443+
PMID:17081004
Antiplasmodial activity of alkaloids from various strychnos species. Frédérich M, Jacquier MJ, Thépenier P, De Mol P, Tits M, Philippe G, Delaude C, Angenot L, Zèches-Hanrot M J Nat Prod 01-Oct-2002
doi:10.1021/NP020070E
PMID:12398531
Janussines a and b from strychnos johnsonii G. Massiot, P. Thépenier, M.J. Jacquier, C. Delaude, L. Le Men-Olivier, R. Verpoorte Elsevier BV 25-Jul-2002
doi:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)94848-2
Alkaloids of Strychnos johnsonii Georges Massiot, Philippe Thépenier, Marie-José Jacquier, Louisette Le Men-Olivier, Robert Verpoorte, Clément Delaude Elsevier BV 25-Jul-2002
doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Harmala alkaloids
(1R)-1-[[(5R,7S,9R)-4,9-dimethyl-8-oxo-4,10-diazatetracyclo[8.6.1.05,17.011,16]heptadeca-1(17),11,13,15-tetraen-7-yl]methyl]-6-hydroxy-1,3,4,9-tetrahydropyrido[3,4-b]indole-2-carbaldehyde 163190273 Click to see CC1C(=O)C(CC2C3=C(CCN2C)C4=CC=CC=C4N13)CC5C6=C(CCN5C=O)C7=C(N6)C=CC(=C7)O 496.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(00)94848-2
(2E,3S)-2-ethylidene-3-[[(1R)-2-methyl-1,3,4,9-tetrahydropyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-yl]methyl]pentane-1,5-diol 163191114 Click to see 328.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
(2Z)-2-ethylidene-3-[(2-methyl-1,3,4,9-tetrahydropyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-yl)methyl]pentane-1,5-diol 13892224 Click to see 328.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
1-[(4,9-Dimethyl-8-oxo-4,10-diazatetracyclo[8.6.1.05,17.011,16]heptadeca-1(17),11,13,15-tetraen-7-yl)methyl]-6-hydroxy-1,3,4,9-tetrahydropyrido[3,4-b]indole-2-carbaldehyde 163085878 Click to see 496.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(00)94848-2
2-Ethylidene-3-[(2-methyl-1,3,4,9-tetrahydropyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-yl)methyl]pentane-1,5-diol 162915154 Click to see CC=C(CO)C(CCO)CC1C2=C(CCN1C)C3=CC=CC=C3N2 328.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
4,9-Dihydro-1-methyl-3H-pyrido(3,4-b)indole 160510 Click to see 184.24 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
Harman 5281404 Click to see CC1=NC=CC2=C1NC3=CC=CC=C23 182.22 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
15-Hydroxy-dehydroabietic-acid 101225 Click to see CC1C2C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CCC2(CCC1=C)C)C)C)(C)C)OC(=O)C)C 468.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Azasteroids and derivatives
Hookerianamide K 25016412 Click to see CC(C1CC=C2C1(CCC3C2CCC4=CC(CCC34C)N(C)C)C)N(C)C 370.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Indoles and derivatives / Pyridoindoles / Beta carbolines
(1R,20R)-1,3,11,12,14,17,18,19,20,21-decahydroyohimban 163195194 Click to see 278.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
(1R)-1,3,11,12,14,21-hexahydroyohimban 163186516 Click to see C1CN2CC3=CC=CC=C3CC2C4=C1C5=CC=CC=C5N4 274.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
(1S,15R,16S,18R,20R)-16-methyl-17-oxa-3,13-diazapentacyclo[11.8.0.02,10.04,9.015,20]henicosa-2(10),4,6,8-tetraen-18-ol 163190297 Click to see 312.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
(1S,15S,16S,18R,20R)-16-methyl-17-oxa-3,13-diazapentacyclo[11.8.0.02,10.04,9.015,20]henicosa-2(10),4,6,8-tetraen-18-ol 163186858 Click to see CC1C2CN3CCC4=C(C3CC2CC(O1)O)NC5=CC=CC=C45 312.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
(1S,3S,5R,20S)-20,31-dimethyl-7,17,21,31-tetrazaoctacyclo[19.10.1.03,19.05,17.06,14.08,13.022,27.028,32]dotriaconta-6(14),8(13),9,11,18,22,24,26,28(32)-nonaen-11-ol 163187931 Click to see CC1C2=CN3CCC4=C(C3CC2CC5C6=C(CCN5C)C7=CC=CC=C7N16)NC8=C4C=C(C=C8)O 464.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(00)94848-2
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
(2R,5E,6R,8S)-5-ethylidene-9-methyl-3-oxa-1,9-diazapentacyclo[10.6.1.12,6.08,19.013,18]icosa-12(19),13,15,17-tetraene 163190267 Click to see 308.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
(2R)-2-[(2R,12bS)-1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b-octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-2-yl]but-3-en-1-ol 163195367 Click to see 296.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
(E)-2-[(5S,7R,9S)-9-ethoxy-4-methyl-4,10-diazatetracyclo[8.6.1.05,17.011,16]heptadeca-1(17),11,13,15-tetraen-7-yl]but-2-enal 163187024 Click to see CCOC1CC(CC2C3=C(CCN2C)C4=CC=CC=C4N13)C(=CC)C=O 352.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
(E)-2-[(5S,7S,9S)-9-hydroxy-4,10-diazatetracyclo[8.6.1.05,17.011,16]heptadeca-1(17),11,13,15-tetraen-7-yl]but-2-enal 163187206 Click to see 310.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
(E)-2-[(7R,9S)-9-Hydroxy-4-methyl-4,10-diazatetracyclo[8.6.1.05,17.011,16]heptadeca-1(17),11,13,15-tetraen-7-yl]but-2-enal 11969719 Click to see 324.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
(Z)-2-[(2R,12bS)-1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b-octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-2-yl]but-2-en-1-ol 13892230 Click to see CC=C(CO)C1CCN2CCC3=C(C2C1)NC4=CC=CC=C34 296.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
1,3,11,12,14,17,18,19,20,21-Decahydroyohimban 13892226 Click to see 278.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
16-Methyl-17-oxa-3,13-diazapentacyclo[11.8.0.02,10.04,9.015,20]henicosa-2(10),4,6,8-tetraen-18-ol 15558558 Click to see 312.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
2-(1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b-Octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-2-yl)but-2-en-1-ol 163016791 Click to see 296.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
2-(3-ethylidene-2,4,6,7,12,12b-hexahydro-1H-indolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-2-yl)ethanol 372790 Click to see CC=C1CN2CCC3=C(C2CC1CCO)NC4=CC=CC=C34 296.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
2-(9-Ethoxy-4-methyl-4,10-diazatetracyclo[8.6.1.05,17.011,16]heptadeca-1(17),11,13,15-tetraen-7-yl)but-2-enal 162947520 Click to see CCOC1CC(CC2C3=C(CCN2C)C4=CC=CC=C4N13)C(=CC)C=O 352.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
2-(9-Hydroxy-4,10-diazatetracyclo[8.6.1.05,17.011,16]heptadeca-1(17),11,13,15-tetraen-7-yl)but-2-enal 163037081 Click to see 310.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
2-[(2R,3E,12bS)-3-ethylidene-2,4,6,7,12,12b-hexahydro-1H-indolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-2-yl]ethanol 5324359 Click to see CC=C1CN2CCC3=C(C2CC1CCO)NC4=CC=CC=C34 296.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
2-[(2R,3R,12bS)-3-ethenyl-1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b-octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-2-yl]ethanol 22217443 Click to see 296.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
3-[(3aS)-1,2,3,3a,4,5alpha,6,7-Octahydro-7alpha-hydroxy-3-methyl-3,7a-diazacyclohepta[jk]fluoren-5-yl]-2(5H)-furanone 13892222 Click to see 338.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
4-(1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b-octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-2-yl)-2H-furan-5-one 13892227 Click to see C1CN2CCC3=C(C2CC1C4=CCOC4=O)NC5=CC=CC=C35 308.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
4-(9-ethoxy-4-methyl-4,10-diazatetracyclo[8.6.1.05,17.011,16]heptadeca-1(17),11,13,15-tetraen-7-yl)-2H-furan-5-one 13892216 Click to see 366.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
4-[(2R,12bS)-1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b-octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-2-yl]-2H-furan-5-one 13892228 Click to see C1CN2CCC3=C(C2CC1C4=CCOC4=O)NC5=CC=CC=C35 308.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
4-[(5R,7R,9S)-9-ethoxy-4-methyl-4,10-diazatetracyclo[8.6.1.05,17.011,16]heptadeca-1(17),11,13,15-tetraen-7-yl]-2H-furan-5-one 162964865 Click to see CCOC1CC(CC2C3=C(CCN2C)C4=CC=CC=C4N13)C5=CCOC5=O 366.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
5-Ethylidene-9-methyl-3-oxa-1,9-diazapentacyclo[10.6.1.12,6.08,19.013,18]icosa-12(19),13,15,17-tetraene 163072498 Click to see 308.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
Akagerine Lactone 44559926 Click to see 340.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP020070E
Angustine 441983 Click to see 313.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
Beta-Carboline 64961 Click to see 168.19 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
Demethoxycarbonyl 3,14-dihydrogambirtannine 44559927 Click to see 276.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP020070E
Dihydrocorynantheol 164952 Click to see 298.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
Dihydrogambirtannine, 1-dehydroxycarbonyl- 623554 Click to see 274.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
Janussin-A 13892223 Click to see 464.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(00)94848-2
janussine A 44559873 Click to see CC1C2=CN3CCC4=C(C3CC2CC5C6N1C7=CC=CC=C7C6CCN5)NC8=C4C=C(C=C8)O 452.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP020070E
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones
Sanggenone H 90681446 Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C(C=CC(=C2O1)C3CC(=O)C4=C(C=C(C=C4O3)O)O)O)C 354.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83601-8

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