PHARMACOGNOSY and

PLANT CHEMISTRY

BREX PHARMACY REVIEW

PHARMACOGNOSY

PHARMAKON

GNOSIS
HISTORY
Greeks

Dioscorides
wrote “De Materia Medica” or the Medicinal
Material
-aloe, belladona,colchichum, ergot and opium

Galen
described methods and formulas of preparing
drugs containing plant and animal drugs
FATHER of PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOUNDING
De Materia Medica
Greeks

GALEN DIOSCORIDES
GERMANS

• C. A. SEYDLER
 Coined the term pharmacognosy from pharmakon
and gnosis

•J.A. SCHMIDT
 used the word pharmacognosy in his
Lehrbuch de Materia Medica
 PHARMACOGNOSY

 “an applied science that deals with the

biologic, biochemical and
economic features of natural drugs and
their constituents”
Pelletier and Caventou-quinine
Friedrich serturner-morphine
Theophrastus
Father of botany
 Theophrastus
Definition of terms
CRUDE DRUGS

 natural substances that had undergone only

the processes of Collection and Drying
Natural substances

 whole plants and their plants; animals and

their excised organs
 no molecular modifications had been made
Indigenous Plants

 Plants growing in their

native countries
Naturalized Plants

 Plants that grow in

foreign land other than
their native homes
General Process of Extraction

 Removes substances
that can be dissolved by
the SOLVENT/
MENSTRUUM
 The undissolved portion
of the drug is known as
the MARC
 Product of the
extraction process:
EXTRACTIVE
PREPARATION OF CRUDE
DRUGS
Steps

1. Collection
2. Harvesting
3. Drying
4. Garbling
5. Packaging
6. Storage
7. Preservation
Preparation of Drugs

 Collection
 ensuring the true
natural source of the
drug
 Improper collection
 Collection time
Preparation of Drugs

 Harvesting
Preparation of Drugs

 Drying
 remove moisture to ensure good keeping
qualities
Preparation of Drugs

 Garbling
 FINAL STEP IN THE
PREPARATION OF
CRUDE DRUGS
 removal of extraneous
matter such as
Preparation of Drugs
 Packaging, Storage and
Preservation
 To avoid insect attacks:
▪ 1. SIMPLEST
METHOD: Expose the
drug to 65*C
▪ 2. Fumigation with
methyl bromide
▪ 3. Add a drop of
chloroform or carbon
tetrachloride
Evaluation of Crude Drugs
Evaluation of Drugs

 Organoleptic
Evaluation
 uses the ORGANS of
SENSES
 evaluates the
MACROSCOPIC
appearance of drugs
Evaluation of Drugs

 Pharmacologic Evaluation
 Bioassays- assays that uses living animals or
excised organs to evaluate the effects of
drugs
Evaluation of Drugs

 Chemical Evaluation-
assay of active
constituents using
chemicals
<TITRATION>
 Best method of
determining official
potency
Hexoses
Most Important Monosaccharides
Glucose
 aldohexose
 aldehyde group is present in C1
 reducing sugar as determined by
BENEDICT'S TEST
 occurs as: linear and cyclic
Glucose/ D-glucose or Dextrose
Glucose
 D-glucose or Dextrose
 Blood Sugar or Grape Sugar or
Physiologic sugar
Fructose
 a ketohexose
 ketone group is present
in C2
 Reducing sugar
 Fruit sugar; sweet fruits
and honey
 also known as
Levulose, the sweetest
monosaccharide
Uses of Fructose
 Food for diabetic patients
 ingredient in infant feeding formula
 ingredient in Fructose injection, nutrient
Pentoses
Xylose

 wood sugar
 obtained from boiling
corn cobs, straw
 diagnostic aid in
intestinal
malabsorption
Composed of 2 monosaccharide units

Disaccharides
Disaccharides
 Sucrose
 Maltose
 Lactose
Sucrose
 -obtained from
 Sugar cane Saccharum officinarum
 Sugar beets Beta vulgaris
 Sugar maple Acer saccharum
 composed of Fructose and Glucose
 Non-reducing sugar
Sources of Sucrose
Uses of Sucrose
 demulcent
 sweetening agent
 coating agent
 preservative
 production of syrups
 retards oxidation
Maltose

 produced during the

germination of barley
 Glucose + Glucose
 reducing sugar
 MALT SUGAR
Lactose
 milk sugar; obtained from cow's milk
 Glucose + Galactose
 reducing sugar
Lactulose
 alkaline rearrangement
of lactose
 converted to lactic and
acetic acid, which
causes irritation of the
intestines and
subsequent catharsis
Products of Oxidative
Metabolism
Products of Oxidative Metabolism

 Cherry Juice
 Plant Acids
 Alcohol
Cherry Juice
 ripe fruit of Prunus
cerasus, Rosaceae
 contains pectin and
malic acid
 use: cherry syrup
Plant Acids
 uses:
 acidulants in effervescent formulations
 component of buffer systems
1. Citric Acid- isolated by Scheele from lemon
juice in 1784
2. Lactic Acid- acidulant in infant feeding
formula
3. Tartaric acids- by-product of wine industry
4. Ferrous fumarate- hematinic
Alcohol or Ethanol
 95% ethanol by volume @ 15.56*C
 product of fermentation
 undergo the process of distillation to
concentrate the alcohol content to 40-55%
 Brandy- Wine
 Whiskey- Malted Grain
 Rum- molasses
 Uses of Alcohol
 In low concentration, CNS stimulant
 In higher concentration, CNS depressant

***Diluted alcohol: 48.4-49.5% ethanol

@ 15.56*C
Products of Reductive
Metabolism
Products of Reductive Metabolism

 Mannitol
 Sorbitol
Mannitol

 from manna, Fraxinus

ornus Oleaceae
 osmotic diuretic and
osmotic laxative
Sorbitol

 from the berries of

mountain ash, Sorbus
aucuparia, Rosaceae
 aka D-glucitol
 taste half as sweet as
sucrose
 manufacture of
toothpastes and
chewing gums
POLYSACCHARIDES
Polysaccharides that yield one type of monosaccharide unit upon
hydrolysis

HOMOGLYCANS
Starch
 temporary storage form of
photosynthetic products
 from:
 Corn Zea mays, Poaceae
 Wheat Triticum aestivum, Poaceae
 Potato Solanum tuberosum, Solanaceae
Uses of Starch
 Tablet filler, binder and disintegrant
 Antidote for iodine poisoning
Starch Preparations:
1. Pregelatinized starch- starch that is
chemically or mechanically processed to
rupture all or part of the granules; tablet
binder
2. Sodium starch glycollate-
disintegrating agent
3. Hetastarch- plasma expander
Inulin
 Fructosan
 Uses:
 ingredient in culture media
 evaluation of renal function
Dextran

 glucosan
 Leuconostoc
mesenteroides
 plasma expander
Cellulose

 a. Purified/ Absorbent
cotton
 from the hair of the seeds
of Gossypium hirsutum
Cellulose
 b. Soluble guncotton/
Pyroxylin
 -formed by the action of nitric and
sulfuric acid on cotton
 Other ingredients:

 Castor oil- flexibility

 Camphor-water-proof
 use: topical protectant
Cellulose

 c. other cellulose
derivatives
 Cellulose acetate
phthalate< CAP>- coating
agent
 Methylcellulose and
ethylcellulose- artificial
tears
Heteroglycans

Polysaccharides that yield more than one types of monosaccharide units upon
hydrolysis
Gums and Mucilages
Gums and Mucilages

 Natural plant
 Produced by plants as a protective after
injury
Gums and Mucilages

 Plant Exudates
 Marine Gums
 Seed Gums
 Microbial Gums
 Pectin
Plant Exudates
Gum Source Constituents Notes

Acacia or Acacia Arabin Incompatible

Gum Arabic senegal, in
Fabaceae preparations
containing
more than
60% alcohol
only 5-6%
swells in
water
 Plant Exudates
Tragacanth Astragalus Bassorin- 35-36%
gummifer, gelling swells in
Fabaceae component water; best
Tragacanthin- mucilage
non-gelling most resistant
component to acid
hydrolysis
Tragacanth
 Plant Exudates

Karaya or Sterculia D-galacturonic Fetid

Sterculia urens, acid and D- odor
Gum Sterculiaceae glucoronic acid
Marine Gums
Gum Source Constituents
Agar or Japanese Algae- Agarose
Isinglas Gelidium cartilagineum Agaropectin
Gracilaria confervoides

Algin Seaweeds Mannuronic acid

Macrocystis pyrifera

Carageenan or Irish Red algae Kappa-gelling component

moss Chondrus crispus Iota-gelling component
Gigartina mamillosa Delta- non-gelling
component

Danish Agar Furcellaria fastigiata Kappa

 Seed Gums
Gum Source
Plantago/ Psyllium/ Seed coat of Plantago psyllium- Spanish
Plantain Seed Psyllium
Plantago ovata- Blonde psyllium or Indian
psyllium
Cydonium/ Quince Ripe seed of Cydonia vulgaris
Seed
Guar gum or Guaran Endosperm of Cyamopsis tetragonolobus

Locust Bean Gum/ Endosperm of the seed of Ceratonia siliqua

Carob Pulp or St.
John's Bread
 Microbial Gum
Gum Source Notes

Xanthan Gum Action of Xanthomonas Has a pseudoplastic

campestris on activity< shear
carbohydrates thinning>
-enable toothpastes and
ointments to spread
readily
Pectin

 purified carbohydrate
product obtained from
the dilute acid extract of
the inner portion of the
rind of citrus fruits and
apple pomace
 antidiarrheal agent
 Kaopectate- Kaolin +
Pectin--> antidiarheal
preparation
GLYCOSIDES
GLYCOSIDES

 heteroglycans
 BETA forms occur in plants
ANTHRAQUINONE GLYCOSIDES

 AGLYCONE:
Anthracene
 Use: Cathartics<
drastic>
Anthraquinone Glycosides

 Cascara Sagrada
 Frangula or Buckthorn Bark
 Aloe
 Rhubarb/ Rheum or Chinese Rhubarb .
 Indian Rhubarb or Himalayan Rhubarb
 Senna
 Chrysarobin
Cascara Sagrada- Sacred Bark
 Rhamnus purshianus
 Constituents:
 O Glycosides- based on
emodin
 C Glycosides- based on aloin
▪ Cascarosides A and B-
optical isomers of
barbaloin
▪ Cascarosides C and D-
optical isomers of
chrysaloin
Frangula or Buckthorn Bark
  Rhamnus frangula
 present in Movicol- Karaya +
Frangula
Aloe
 dried latex or juice of Aloe
barbadensis or Aloe vera<
Curacao aloe>
 hybrids of Aloe ferox with
Aloe africana and Aloe
spicata <Cape aloe>
 constituents: barbaloin
and aloe emodin
Rhubarb

 Rheum or Chinese  Indian Rhubarb or

Rhubarb Himalayan Rhubarb
 Rheum emodi
 Rheum officinale
 Rheum webbianum
 Senna
 dried leaflet of Cassia
acutifolia< Alexandria>
 Cassia angustifolia
< Tinnevelly>
 cultivated in wet lands
resembling rice paddies
 Const: Sennosides A, B, C
and D
Chrysarobin
 from Goa powder, Andira araroba
 only anthraquinone glycoside that is NOT
used as a cathartic because it is very
irritating
 used as a keratolytic
 hot benzene is used to extract this substance
Saponins
SAPONIN GLYCOSIDES

foam upon
shaking
 bitter, acrid taste
 irritating to mucuous
membranes
 destroy RBC's of cold
blooded animals-->
fish poisons
Saponin Glycosides

 Aglycone: Sapogenin
 Toxic Aglycone:
Sapotoxin
 Steroidal in nature
Saponin Glycosides

 Glycyrrhiza/ Licorice
 Dioscorea
 Ginseng
Glycyrrhiza/ Licorice

 dries roots of
Glcyrrhiza glabra
 increases the
foaminess of beer
 Constituents:
 Glycyrrhizin
 Glycyrrhetic acid
 Glycyrrhiza/ Licorice

 Steroidal:
 used in the
treatment of
Addison's disease
 CI in patients with
hypertension
Dioscorea or Yam

 Dioscorea spiculiflora-contains diosgenin

which is a glucocorticoid precursor
 Dioscorea floribunda- Best source of
STEROIDS
Ginseng

 Panax ginseng
 Panax quinquefolius
 Aphrodisiac and an
Adaptogen
 Constituents: Panaxosides,
Ginsenosides and
Chikusetsusaponins
CYANOPHORIC OR
CYANOGENIC GLYCOSIDES
CYANOPHORIC OR CYANOGENIC
GLYCOSIDES
 Amygdalin ( H2O and amygdalase)-->
mandelonitrile glucose (H20 and prunase)-->
mandelonitrile + glucose -->benzaldehyde +
HCN

 **Amygdalase and Prunase are collectively

known as EMULSIN
 APE= A+ P = E
Substances containing Amygdalin

 Bitter almonds- Prunus amygdalus

▪ Wild cherry- Prunus serotina; flavored
vehicle, expectorant and sedative
▪ Apricots- Prunus armeniaca
 source of Laetrile or Vit B17- controversial
treatment for sickle cell anemia
Sources

APRICOTS WILD CHERRY

ISOTHIOCYANATE
GLYCOSIDES
ISOTHIOCYANATE GLYCOSIDES

 Black Mustard or
Sinapis Nigra
 Brassica nigra
 sinigrin
 Sinigrin (Myrosin) →
allyl
ISOTHIOCYANATE GLYCOSIDES

 White Mustard or
Sinapis alba
 Brassica alba
 sinalbin
 Sinalbin (Myrosin) →
acrinyl
Uses of Mustard Oils:

 Local irritant and

emetic
 Rubefacient, vesicant
and condiment
Flavonol Glycosides
FLAVONOL GLYCOSIDES

 Flavonoids or Bioflavonoids from Citrus

fruits and Soya
1. Rutin and Hesperidin- Vitamin P or
Permeability Factors
 uses: treatment of capillary bleeding
secondary to capillary fragility
 treatment of symptoms of common colds
2. Hesperitin and Naringen
Alcohol Glycoside
ALCOHOL GLYCOSIDES

 Salicin- Salix and

Populus
 Salix purpurea and Salix
fragilis
 Aglycone: Saligenin
Aldehyde Glycoside
ALDEHYDE GLYCOSIDES

 Vanilla- cured fruit of

Vanilla planifolia
 Cosntituent: Vanillin
 Use: flavoring agent
Phenol Glycosides
PHENOL GLYCOSIDES

 1. Uva ursi- dried leaf

of Arctostaphylos uva
ursi
 constituent: arbutin
 use: astringent and
diuretic
Lactone Glycosides
LACTONE GLYCOSIDES

1. Coumarin- from Tonka

beans, Dipteryx odorata
 Cons: Dicumarol,
bishydroxycoumarin-->
anticoagulant, Warfarin
Lactone Glycosides

2. Cantharides
 from the dried insect,
Cantharis vesicatoria
 Blistering fly
 cons: Cantharidin-
irritant, vesicant and
rubefacient
 causes priapism
Blister formation
Lactone GLYCOSIDES

 3. Psoralens-
photosensitizing
furocoumarins
a. Methoxsalen-
repigmentation in
vitiligo
b. Trioxsalen
TANNINS
TANNINS

 Complex substances or
polypeptides that are
difficult to separate
because they do not
crystallize
2 CHEMICAL CLASSES

1. Hydrolyzable Tannins
 Readily hydrolyzed to yield phenolic acids
and sugars
 Leather: Bloom
2 CHEMICAL CLASSES

2. Non-Hydrolyzable/ Condensed Tannins

 Results from the condensation of catechin and
leucocyanidin
 When they are treated with hydrolytic Agents

 They tend to POLYMERIZE yielding

PHLOBAPHENES (red colored products)
 Leather: Tanners Red
CHARACTERISTICS OF TANNINS

1. Acidic
2. Sharp Puckering Taste
3. Causes Precipitation of Alkaloids
4. Can Precipitate proteins; used in the tanning
industry
5. Astringents- GI or skin
6. Treatment of burns
TANNIN CONTAINING PLANT
MATERIALS
1. Hamamelis Leaf

 Witch Hazel Leaves

 Dried leaf of
Hamamelis virginiana
 Constituent:
Hamamelitanin
2. Nutgall

 Excrescence obtained
from the young twigs
of Quercus infectoria,
Fagaceae
 Constituents: Tannic
Acid
LIPIDS
 LIPIDS
Fixed Oils Fats Waxes
Long chain fatty Long chain fatty Long chain fatty
acids + glycerol acids + glycerol acids + High
From vegetables From animals molecular weight
Liquid at room Solid at room alcohol
temperature temperature such as cetyl alcohol
and stearyl alcohol

 Exceptions:
 1. Cocoa butter- only solid plant lipid-->FAT
 2. Cod liver oil- only liquid animal lipid
Uses of Lipids:

 emollients
 vehicles for IM injection-COCOPESE
 Cathartic- Castor oil
 Soap production
 Increase caloric value- TPN
Fixed Oils
 I. Seed Oils
Fixed oil Botanical Source Notes
1. Cottonseed Gossypium hirsutum IM injection
Oil
2. Sesame seed Sesamum indicum Teel oil or Benne oil
oil IM injection
3. Coconut oil Cocos nucifera
4. Castor oil Ricinus communis Tricinolein--> ricinoleic
acid, irritant cathartic
restore vaginal acidity
 Seed Oils
Fixed oil Botanical Source Notes
5. Peanut oil Arachis hypogaea Arachis oil
IM injection
6. Soybean oil Glycine soja Lecithin and stigmasterol

7.Corn oil Zea mays IM injection

8. Safflower oil Carthamus tinctoria
9. Sunflower oil Helianthus anuus
10. Ethiodized Iodine addition product Diagnostic aid
oil injection of the ethyl ester of the
fatty acids of Poppy seed
 II. Pericarp Oils
Fixed oil Botanical Source Notes
1. Olive oil Olea europaea Grades:
1. First Grade Virgin Olive oil
-extracted with less pressure
2. Second Grade Virgin Olive oil
-pulp in #1 is extracted with more
pressure
3. Technical oil
-extracted with hot water
4. Sulfur Grade
-extracted with Carbon disulfide
-inferior quality
5. Tournant oil- fallen and
decomposing fruits
Fats and Related Compounds

1. Theobroma oil- Theobroma cacao

 food for the gods
 uses:
cocoa syrup-beverage
cocoa butter-used as a suppository base
because it melts at 30-35*C
Fats and Related Compounds

2. Lanolin- purified fatlike substance from the

wool of sheep Ovis aries, Bovidae
 -contains 25% water
 -Anhydrous lanolin: Woolfat< contains only
0.25% water
 - Uses: water absorbable oitment base;
emollient
Fats and Related Compounds

 3. Cod Liver Oil- from Gadus morrhua

 -sclerosing agent to obliterate varicose veins
 -source of Vitamin Aand D <Scott's
Emulsion>
Fats and Related Compounds

 4. Undecylenic acid
 -pyrolysis of ricinoleic acid from castor oil
 -has antifungal property
Waxes

 Spermaceti- head of
spermwhale, Physeter
macrocephalus
 Synthetic spermaceti-
Cetyl ester wax
Waxes

 Jojoba oil- seeds of

Simmondsia chinensis,
Buxaceae
 hydrogenated form
resembles spermaceti
Waxes

 Beeswax or Yellow
wax
 honeycomb of bees,
Apis mellifera
 stiffening agent in
plasters and cerates
 White wax- bleached
yellow wax
Waxes

 Carnauba wax
 leaves of Copernicia
punifera
Volatile Oils
Volatile Oils

 Ethereal oils
 Essential oils
 essences
Volatile oils are present in

 glandular hairs- Labiatae

 Modified parenchymal cells- Piperaceae
 Oil tubes or vittae- Umbelliferae
 Lysigenous and schizogenous passages-
Pinaceae or Rutaceae
Physical Characteristic

 Posses characteristic odors

 High refractive index
 Optically active
 Immiscible in water but they can be
sufficiently soluble to impart their odor in
waterAromatic Waters
Volatile Oils

 Can be distilled from their natural sources

 No permanent grease on spot test
 They do not become rancid, they resinify
Methods of Obtaining Volatile oils

 Distillation
 Water distillation< Turpentine oil>
 Water and Steam distillation< clove oil and
cinnamon oil>
 Steam distillation< peppermint and spearmint>
 Destructive distillation- empyreumatic oils< heat
without the access of air>
 Enzymatic Actions
 Expression
Ecuelle and Enfleurage
Musk

 Dried secretion from

the preputial follicles
of the male musk deer
of asia< Moschus spp>
Civet

 A glandular secretion
appearing in an
outwardly discharging
pockets of Civet
cats<Paradoxurus
hermaphroditus>
Ambergris
 Most valuable material
 Pathologic product formed
in the stomach of
spermwhale when it feeds
on squid or cattlefish
Constituents of Volatile Oils

 Terpenes- natural products whose structures

are made up of isoprene units
 C5H8

Name # of isoprene units

Monoterpenes 2 isoprene units
Sesquiterpenes 3 isoprene units
Diterpenes 4 isoprene units
Triterpenes 6 isoprene units
Monoterpenes
Hydrocarbon Volatile Oils

1. Turpentine Oil
 Pinus palustris
Terpin Hydrate/
Terpinol
 Expectorant
Alcohol Volatile Oils

1. Peppermint Oil
 Mentha piperita, Labiatae
 Constituent: Menthol (Antipruritic)
 Japanese Peppermint Oil
 Mentha arvensis var piperascens
 High menthol concentration than M. piperita but
it has an inferior flavor
Aldehyde Volatile Oils

1. Cinnamon Oil:
 Cinnamomum
loureirii, Lauracea
 Aka: Cassia Oil
 Constituent:
Cinnamaldehyde
Aldehyde Volatile Oils

2. Lemon Peel
 Rind of the fruit
Citrus limon
 Lemon Oil
 Constituent:
Limonene, Citral
 Terpeneless Oils
Ketone Volatile Oils

1. Camphor
 Cinnamomum camphora, Lauracea
 Specific rotation of natural camphor:
▪ + 41 & + 43 synthetic
 Synthetic Camphor: Racemic
Ketone Volatile Oils

2. Spearmint
 Mentha spicata,
Lamiaceae
 Constituents: Carvone
 (+) carvone has the
same odor as that of
Caraway
Phenol Volatile Oils

1. Clove Oil
 Eugenia
caryophyllus
 Eugenol
 Tootache Drops;
Dental analgesic
Phenol volatile oils

2. Thymol
 Thymus vulgaris
 Use: antifungal
and Antibacterial
agent
Phenolic-Ether Volatile Oils

1. Nutmeg or
Myristica Oil
 Myristica fragrans
 Constituents:
Safrole and
myristicin
Oxide Volatile Oils

1. Eucalyptus Oil/
Cineole
 Eucalyptus globulus,
Myrtacea
 Constituents: Cineole
Ester Volatile Oil

1. Gaultheria Oil/
Wintergreen Oil/
Betula Oil/ Sweet
Birch Oil
 Gaultheria
procumbens
 Betula lenta
 Main Constituent:
Methylsalicylate
Resin and Resin Combination
Resins

 Amorphous products
with complex chemical
nature
 Hard transparent or
translucent and when
heated they soften and
melt
Resins

 Complex mixtures of:

 Resin acids
 Resin alcohols
 Resinotannols
 Esters
 Resenes: B-complex neutral substances devoid of
characteristics
Resin Combinations

1. Olearesins- Resin + Volatile Oils

2. Oleo-Gum-Resin- Resin + Volatile Oil + gum
3. Balsams- mixtures that conatin cinnamic
acid, benzoic acid or both or esters of these
acids
Resins

a. Rosin or Colophony-
solid resin from Pinus
palustris, Pinaceae
 Use: Stiffening agent
Resins

b. Podophyllum
 Podophyllum peltatum,
Berberidaceae
 Aka: Mayapple or
Mandrake
 antimitotic (papillomas)
 Podophyllin
Resins

c. Eriodictyon/ Yerba Santa- dried leaf of

Eriodictyon californicum
 Use: flavorant
 Used to disguise the bitterness of Quinine
Resins

c. Jalap
• root of Exogonium purga, Convolvulacea
• Use: Cathartic & Hydragogue
Resins

e. Mastic/Mastiche/Mastich- exudate of Pistacia

lentiscus, Anacardiaceae
 Use: Dental varnish to seal cavities
Resins

e. Kava/ Kava-kava- roots of Piper methysticum,

Piperaceae
▫ Use: Centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants
Resins

g. Cannabis/Indian
Hemp/ Marijuana/Pot
 Tops of Cannabis
sativa
 Resin: Hashish
 Constituents:
▪ THC
▪ Cannabidiol
Oleoresins

a. Turpentine/ Gum Turpentine

• Pinus palustris, Pinaceae
 Use: Counterirritant

b. Capsicum/Cayenne Pepper
• Capsicum frutescence
 Use: Irritant and carminative, rubefacient and
condiment
Oleoresins

c. Ginger
 rhizome of Zingiber
officinale,
Zingiberaceae
 Uses:
 Flavor
 Condiment
 Stimulant
 Carminative
Oleoresins

d. White Pine
 Bark of Pinus strobus
 Use: Expectorant
e. Balsam of Copaiba
 From Copaifera spp.
 Uses:
▪ Genitourinary disinfectant
Oleo-Gum-Resins

a. Myrrh/ Gum myrrh

• Commiphora molmol
• Use: Astringent
• Ingredient of Astring-
o-sol®
b. Asafetida
• Devil’s dung
• Ferula asafetida
Balsams

Balsam Source

Storax or Styrax Liquidambar orientalis

Peru Balsam Myroxylon pereirae

Tolu Balsam Myroxylon balsamum

Benzoin Styrax benzoin

Alkaloids
Alkaloids

 Bitter, basic nitrogenous compounds

 physiologically active
 most of them end in ine
 Nitrogen can be
 Primary amine: RNH2
 Secondary amine: R2NH
 Tertiary amine: R3N
Alkaloids

 all are solids EXCEPT for: coniine, nicotine

and sparteine
Alkaloids

 form double salts with compounds of

mercury, gold, platinum and other heavy
metals
 Wagner’s Reagent- Iodine in KI
 Mayer’s Reagent- mercury in potassium
iodide
 Valser’s Reagent-Mercuric Iodide
 Dragendorff’s Reagent- Bismuth , potassium
Iodide
 SONNENSCHEIN’S RGT –
Phosphomolybdic acid

 SCHEIBLIG’S RGT – Phosphotungstic Acid

Pyridine- Piperidine Alkaloids
Pyridine- Piperidine Alkaloids

 1. Nicotine
 leaves of Nicotiana
tabacum
 Use: SMOKING
DETERRENT
Pyridine- Piperidine Alkaloids

 2. Areca, areca nut or

betel nut
 dried ripe seed of Areca
catechu, Palmae
 anthelminthic- taenicide
 Cons: arecoline- most
abundant
 Tannin content causes
esophageal cancer
Pyridine- Piperidine Alkaloids

 3. Lobelia- Indian
tobacco
 Lobelia inflata
 Main cons: Lobeline
TROPANE ALKALOIDS
TROPANE ALKALOIDS

 Belladonna
 obtained from Atropa
belladona, Solanaceae
 Atropos- Greek Fate
that cuts the thread of
life
TROPANE ALKALOIDS

 Hyocyamus or Henbane
 Leaves of Hyoscyamus niger, Solanaceae
 Hog + bean toxic to swine
TROPANE ALKALOIDS

 Stramonium or Jimson
Weed or the
Jamestown weed
 Leaf of Datura
stramonium,
Solanaceae
TROPANE ALKALOIDS

 Mandragora or
European Mandrake
 Roots of Mandragora
officinarum, Solanaceae
Solanaceous Alkaloids

 (-) hoscyamine
 Atropine(racemic hyoscyamine)
 Scopolamine
 Apoatropine
 belladonine
Atropine

 Antispasmodic
 Antisialogogue
 Mydriatic and cycloplegic
 Antidote for cholinesterase inhibitors
 (+) inotropic agent
Scopolamine or Hyoscine

 Treatment of motion sickness

▪ Trans-scop or Transderm Scop- 4 hours before anti-
emetic effect
Isoquinoline Alkaloids
Isoquinoline Alkaloids

 Ipecac
 dried rhizome and root of Cephaelis ipecacuanha
 Constituent: emetine or methylcephaeline
 Use: Ipecac syrup- emetic
 *Ipecac fluidextract is 14 times more potent
 *Ipecac + Opium= DOVER’s POWDER-
diaphoretic
Isoquinoline Alkaloids

 Sanguinaria or Bloodroot
 Sanguinaria Canadensis
 Constituents: Sanguinarine
 Use: stimulating expectorant and emetic
Isoquinoline Alkaloids

 Tubocurarine Chloride
 Aka Curare or South American arrow poison
 Strychnos castelnaei
Constituent: tubocurarine -skeletal muscle
relaxant
Standardization Of Tubocurarine

 Head Drop assay in RABBITS- least amount

of drug capable of producing muscle
relaxation so that the head of the animal
drops in a characteristic manner
Isoquinoline Alkaloids

 Opium or Gum Opium

 Papaver somniferum
Morphine

 Most important
 Most abundant
 Narcotic analgesic
2. Codeine

 most widely used opium alkaloid

 obtained from methylation of morphine
 methylmorphine
 Use: antitussive
3. Diacetylmorphine or Heroin

 acetylation of morphine
 increase danger of habit formation- VERY
POTENT
4. Apomorphine HCl

 morphine + HCl
 Use: emetic
8. Noscapine- Narcotine

 has no narcotic property, thus sometimes

called ANARCOTINE
 antitussive
INDOLE ALKALOIDS
INDOLE ALKALOIDS
 1. Rawolfia serpentina-
dried root of Rawolfia
serpentina
 Constituent: reserpine
 1. Treatment of snake bites
which leads to insanity
 2. Hypotensive effects
 3. Also have sedative and
tranquilizing properties
INDOLE ALKALOIDS

 2. Catharanthus or
vinca
 Catharanthus roseus
Constituents: Vincristine
and Vinblastine
INDOLE ALKALOIDS

 Nux Vomica
 Dried ripe seed Strychnos nux vomica
 Constituents:
▪ Strychnine<toxic central and muscle stimulant>
▪ Brucine< alcohol denaturant>
INDOLE ALKALOIDS

 Physostigmine or Eserine
 From Physostigma venenosum
 treatment of Glaucoma
INDOLE ALKALOIDS

 Ergot
 Dried sclerotium of
Claviceps purpurea on
rye, Secale cereale
 Cons:
▪ Ergonovine
▪ Ergotamine
Ergot

 Lysergic Acid Diethylamide

 Most active and most specific psychotomimetic
drug
Imidazole Alkaloids
Imidazole Alkaloid

 Pilocarpine
 Leaflets of Pilocarpus jaborandii
 Treatment of Glaucoma
Steroidal Alkaloids
Steroidal Alkaloids

 Green hellebore/ Veratrum viride

 Roots of Veratrum viride
 Use: cardiac depressant
▪ Side effects: hypotension and sedation

▪ *Black hellebore-cardiac stimulant

Steroidal Alkaloids

 White hellebore or European hellebore

 Roots of Veratrum album
 Hypotensive agent
Alkaloidal Amines
Alkaloidal Amines

 Ephedrine or Ma Huang
 Overgroud portion of Ephedra sinica, Gnetaceae
 Const: Ephedrine- sympathomimetic agent
Alkaloidal Amines

 Colchicine
 Colchicum autumnale,
Liliaceae
 Used in plant genetics
because it can double
the chromosomes
 Gout suppresant: Acute
▪ Chronic gout:
Allopurinol
Alkaloidal Amines

 Khat or Abyssynian Tea

 Fresh leaves of Catha edulis
 Const: cathinone
Alkaloidal Amines

 Peyote or Mescal
Buttons
 Dried tops of
Lophophora williamsii
 Hallucinogenic and
euphoric agent
Purine or Methylxanthines
Purine Alkaloids

 Caffeine- 1,3, 7- trimethylxanthine

 Theophylline- 1, 3-dimethylxanthine
 Theobromine- 3,7- dimethylxanthine
Purine Bases

 Phosphodiesterase inhibitors
 Diuresis
 Increase gastric secretions
 Inhibit uterine contraction
 Weak (+) chronotropic and inotropic effects
Purine Alkaloids

 Caffeine
 Kola, Cola or Kolanuts
▪ dried cotyledon of Cola nitida
 Coffee bean
▪ Dried seeds of Coffea arabica
Purine Alkaloid

 Theophylline
 Leaf buds of Camellia sinensis, Theaceae
 Treatment of bronchial asthma
 Tocolytic agent

 Aminophylline- semi-synthetic theophylline

derivative
▪ Treatment of bronchial asthma
Purine Alkaloids

 Theobromine
 Seeds of Theobroma cacao
▪ Diuretic in cardiac and pulmonary edema
END