Botany Chapter on Bark Formation

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Questions and Answers

Which bark region contains the cork and is impregnated with suberin?

Middle bark

Vascular cambium

Inner bark

Outer bark (correct)

What shape best describes bark that is slightly concave on the inner side?

Flat

Channeled

Curved (correct)

Quill

Which structure in the bark is responsible for producing cork cells?

Vascular cambium

Phelloderm

Bast

Phellogen (correct)

In which region of bark is the phloem located?

Inner bark (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary active constituent found in Cascara?

Cascaroside A, B, C & D (A), Anthraquinone glycosides (C) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the bark during the drying process?

It tends to curve transversely. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What describes bark that has great curvature so that the edges overlap?

Quill (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which drug is known for having a powerful cathartic effect even in moderate doses?

Jalap (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which process may lead to the absence of cork in many barks?

Exfoliation (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of tissue primarily composes the cortex of the bark?

Parenchymatous (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable characteristic of the primary phloem in the bast?

It is composed of collapsed tissues (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the color of the inner bark in Frangula?

Crimson (D) Signup and view all the answers

What undesirable constituents might lead to the removal of certain tissues during decortication?

Tannins and coloring matters (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fibers composes the pericycle?

Sclerenchyma fibers (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs is derived from the bark of a tree?

Cinchona (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary medicinal use of Hamamelis?

Antiseptic and astringent (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which drug is not listed under bark drugs?

Myrrh (A) Signup and view all the answers

Cinchona is primarily known for which active component?

Quinine (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding Quillaia?

It is a bark drug known for its high tannin content. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of drug is Wild Cherry classified as?

Bark drug (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs is commonly sourced from both Cascara and Frangula?

Laxatives (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a common characteristic of bark drugs?

They typically contain alkaloids. (A) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Subterranean Organs

Subterranean stems include rhizomes, corms, stem tubers and bulbs
Subterranean roots include roots and root tubers
Functions include anchoring, nutrient/water absorption, and storage
Subterranean stems lack chlorophyll, bear scale leaves, axillary buds, and adventitious roots
Rhizomes are the most important subterranean stem for medicinal value.
Rhizome structures include nodes, internodes, terminal buds, and axillary buds
Corm is a short, swollen, erect underground stem covered with brown scale leaves
Stem tuber is a swollen underground stem (usually the tip), and differs from a root tuber in having small scales, buds, and terminal buds.
Bulbs are reduced underground stems that are small, flattened discs that have fleshy scale leaves or scale leaf bases

Chapters 1-5 Topics

Chapter 1: Subterranean organs: Introduction, Ginger, Turmeric, Garlic, Colchicum, Ipecacuanha, Krameria, Rhubarb, Valerian, White Squill, Liquorice, Dioscorea, Senega, Echinacea, Jalap. (Pages 1-32)
Chapter 2: Bark: Introduction, Cascara and Frangula, Quillaia, Wild Cherry, Hamamelis, Cinchona, Pomegranate, Cinnamon, Cassia, and Canella. (Pages 33-64)
Chapter 3: Wood: Introduction, Quassia, Guaiacum, and Sandalwood. (Pages 58-64)
Chapter 4: Unorganized Drugs: Introduction, Gum Acacia and 2. Gum Tragacanth, Colophony, Myrrh, Aloe, Agar, Opium, Cantharides, Cochineal, and Animal Origin. (Pages 64-78)
Chapter 5: Pharmacognostical features. (Pages 77-78)

Ginger

Origin: Dried rhizomes of Zingiber officinale, Zingiberaceae.
Characteristics: Pungent, slightly lemony taste
Active constituents: Oleoresin (volatile oil attached with resin), including zingiberene, gingerol (pungent), and shogaol (acidic and irritant).
Starch: up to 50%
Confirmatory test: Boiling powder with KOH destroys pungency.
Medicinal uses: Anti-aging, antiemetic, antiseptic, circulatory stimulant, respiratory conditions.
Contraindications: Avoid during pregnancy due to possible muscle contractions & abortion.

Turmeric

Origin: Dried rhizomes of Curcuma domestica, Zingiberacae.
Characteristics: Yellow coloring matter, colors saliva yellow when chewed.
Active constituents: Volatile oil (zingiberene, turmerone), curcumin (coloring principle)
Confirmatory Test: Mixed powder with conc. H2SO4/95% alcohol, and add acid or alkali to turmeric paper.
Medicinal Uses: Effect of curcumin on liver and bile, strengthening of antibacterial effects in skin conditions, powerful anti-inflammatory agent, lowers cholesterol and anticoagulation.

Garlic

Origin: Fresh or dried bulbs of Allium sativum, Liliaceae.
Active constituents: High concentration of inactive sulfur-containing compounds (alliin), converted to allicin upon crushing.
Medicinal uses: Antibiotic, Antidiabetic/hypoglycemic, antioxidant, remedy for Cardiovascular diseases (hypolipidemic, hypocholesterolemia, antihypertensive, antiplatelet aggregation), and used to halt blood bleeding before surgery.
Contraindications: Should be stopped before surgical operations and dental extractions.

Colchicum

Origin: Sliced corms of Colchicum autumnale, Liliaceae.
Active constituents: Colchicine (highly toxic plant hormone), Flavonoids.
Confirmatory test: Mayer's test and KOH test for Flavonoids that give cream white precipitate and yellow color, respectively.
Medicinal Uses: Relief of acute gout pain.
Precautions: Highly toxic.

Ipecacuanha

Origin: Dried root and rhizome of Cephaelis ipecacuanha, Rubiaceae.
Active constituents: Isoquinoline alkaloids (emetine, cephaeline, psychotrine), tannins.
Confirmatory test: Powder Ipeca + HCl + H₂O, Filter, + potassium Chlorate.
Medicinal uses: expectorant in bronchitis and whooping cough, emetic drug to stimulate vomiting, amebic dysentery treatment.

Krameria

Origin: Dried roots of Krameria triandra, Krameriaceae.
Active constituents: Tannins (phlobaphene), benzofurans (Rhataniaphenols).
Confirmatory test: Heat powder → colorless droplets, then add FeCl3 → faint red color.
Medicinal uses: Astringent for diarrhea and dysentery, good mouthwash, treating hemorrhoids, wounds, and varicose veins.

Rhubarb

Origin: Dried rhizomes and roots of Rheum palmatum/officinale, Polygonaceae.
Characteristics: Brownish yellow powder, shows longitudinal reddish brown lines, gritty when chewed.
Active constituents: Anthraquinones, tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, calcium oxalate, starch.
Confirmatory tests: Borntrager's tests (free anthraquinones) and Modified Borntrager's tests (combined anthraquinones) to give rose red color, and FeCl3 test to give blue color.
Medicinal uses: Regulates intestine function, laxative in constipation, astringent in diarrhea.

Others

Valerian: Rhizomes and roots of Valeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae. Active constituents: Iridoid glycosides (valepotriates) and volatile oil. Medicinal uses: CNS depressant, sedative, and relaxant for stress-related disorders.
White Squill: Dried sliced fleshy scales of Urginia maritima, Liliaceae. Active constituents: Cardiac glycosides (scillaren A), flavonoids, mucilage (callose), and sinistrin. Medicinal Uses: Expectorant in chronic bronchitis, in small doses causes GIT irritation, used in the treatment of heart failure.
Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Dried peeled/unpeeled roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Leguminosae. Active constituents: Triterpene saponin (glycyrrhizin), flavonoids. Medicinal uses: Demulcent and expectorant, treatment of rheumatism and inflammatory conditions, sweetener, peptic and duodenal ulcer, anti-inflammatory for ulcers, treatment of respiratory disorders and chronic hepatitis.
Dioscorea (Wild Yam): Dried roots and rhizomes of Dioscorea villosa, Dioscoreaceae. Active constituents: Steroidal saponins (mainly dioscin), phytosterols, starch. Medicinal Uses: Anti-inflammatory, treatment of arthritis and rheumatism, relieves cramps.
Senega: Dried root and root-stock of Polygala senega, Polygalaceae. Active constituents: Triterpenoid saponins (senegins), phenolic acids, methyl salicylate, polygalitol. Medicinal uses: Expectorant, antiphlogistic (treats fever), and relief from inflammation.
Echinacea: Dried rhizomes and roots of Echinacea angustifolia/purpurea, Asteraceae. Active constituents: Alkylamides, caffeic acid esters (mainly echinacoside & cynarin), polysaccharides (including Echinacin B), and volatile oil. Medicinal uses: Stimulates the immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Jalap: Dried roots of Ipomea purga, Convolvulaceae. Active constituents: Resin (convolvulin). Medicinal uses: Powerful cathartic to stimulate elimination of watery stool; in larger doses, it causes vomiting.

Wood

Wood: All portions of the axis of woody plants inside the vascular cambium, composed of secondary xylem.
Sapwood: The outer layer of wood, pale in color, contains living cells with reserved food that can be attacked by microorganisms and is involved in support and conduction.
Heartwood: The inner layer of wood, dark in color, composed of dead cells, lacks food, and contains resins, tannins, coloring matters, and active constituents and functions for support only.

Unorganized Drugs

Unorganized drugs are crude drugs of plants or animals with no distinct structure and are mixtures of chemical substances or decomposition products.
Types of unorganized drugs include gums, resins, resin combinations, juices, extracts, and latices.
Gums are amorphous, translucent solids that are insoluble in alcohol and organic solvents, swell in water to a jelly-like mass, and consist of polysaccharides.
Resins are solid, amorphous substances exuded by plants; usually, they are insoluble in water but soluble in ethanol and chloroform.

Guaiacum, Sandalwood, Quillaia, and Wild Cherry

Guaiacum: Dried wood of Guaiacum officinale and Guaiacum sanctum. Active constituents include resin acids. Medicinal uses include remedies for arthritic and rheumatic conditions.
Sandalwood: Dried heartwood of Santalum album. Active constituents include essential oil. Medicinal uses include genito-urinary tract stimulant, diuretic, and usage in perfumery.
Quillaia: Dried inner bark of Quillaia saponaria. Active constituents are triterpenoid saponins. Medicinal uses are limited to external applications as an antidandruff agent, for treating skin ulcers and as a foaming agent.
Wild Cherry: Dried stem inner bark of Prunus serotina. Active constituents include cyanogenic glycoside, prunasin and tannins. Medicinal uses include relief from cough and asthma.

Important Notes

These notes cover a large quantity of information. It is recommended to focus on the specific topics, drugs, and details you need for a particular exam or study goal.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the structure and function of bark in plants with this quiz. It covers topics such as the vascular cambium, cork production, and the differences between Frangula and Cascara. Understand the significant botanical processes and characteristics involved in bark formation.