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.