Botany Study on Corms and Their Properties

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the description of the Colchicum corm?

Entire or nearly entire

In longitudinal slices

In transverse slices (correct)

In broken pieces

Which of the following is an example of a corm that is in longitudinal slices?

Valerian (correct)

Colchicum

Veratrum

Ginger

Which plant corm is characterized as being in broken pieces?

Valerian

Veratrum

Colchicum

Ginger (correct)

What type of corm is Veratrum classified as?

Entire or nearly entire Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes corms that are peeled or decorticated?

Not explicitly shown in the examples Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the substance have that makes it useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis?

Deoxycorticosterone effect Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions can be treated with the substance mentioned?

Gastric and duodenal ulcers Signup and view all the answers

In what way is this substance utilized for mouth ulcers?

Oral rinse Signup and view all the answers

Which property of the substance makes it a gentle laxative?

Mild stimulating effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the substance in treating inflammatory conditions?

Reducing swelling Signup and view all the answers

What color is the powder dusting the surface described?

Bright-brownish yellow Signup and view all the answers

Which component forms a network of lines within the tissue?

Phloem parenchyma Signup and view all the answers

What lines are embedded in the grayish white ground tissue?

Orange or brownish red lines Signup and view all the answers

The description mentions small patches of which cell type?

Cork Signup and view all the answers

What is the ground tissue described as having?

A grayish white appearance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following isoquinoline alkaloids is NOT found in the Ranunculaceae family?

Morphine Signup and view all the answers

What types of constituents are indicated for the Ranunculaceae family?

Alkaloids and resins Signup and view all the answers

Which constituent is specifically identified as present in small amounts within the Ranunculaceae family?

V Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary group of compounds mentioned for the Ranunculaceae family?

Isoquinoline alkaloids Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following alkaloids is considered a part of the Ranunculaceae family?

Berberine Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic distinguishes the appendage of the stem from the root?

Differing direction from the parent root Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the chlorophyll content of the stem compared to the root?

The stem does not show any chlorophyll Signup and view all the answers

How does the lateral appendage of the stem compare to the parent root?

It has a similar structure but differs in direction Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the stem’s appendage functionally differ from that of the root?

It does not assist in chlorophyll production Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of chlorophyll in plants, which is absent in the stem?

To facilitate photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

What condition is Rauwlfia NOT indicated to help with?

Cardiac arrhythmias Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms is Rauwlfia known to alleviate?

Over contracted muscles Signup and view all the answers

Rauwlfia is suggested to be helpful for which gastrointestinal issue?

Irritable bowel syndrome Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is NOT associated with muscle spasms?

Asthma Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom associated with Rauwlfia is related to women's health?

Menstrual pain Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Underground Organs - Lecture 1

Underground organs are collected from perennial plants acting as storage organs for reserve material for subsequent plant use and production of secondary metabolites.
They comprise two types:
- Stem origin (rhizomes, corms, bulbs, tubers)
- Root origin (roots, root tubers)
The root is the portion of the plant axis derived from the radical, growing toward soil and water.
Root characteristics:
- Never develops leaves
- Shows no nodes and internodes
- Bears no buds
- Growing point is covered by root-cap or calyptra
- Unlike stems, roots have no chlorophyll and only one type of lateral appendage, similar in structure to the parent root, but differing in direction.
Root zones:
- Zone of cell differentiation
- Zone of cell elongation
- Zone of cell division
- Zone of root cap
Root functions:
- Absorption of water, minerals, and organic compounds from the soil, transporting them to the stem
- Anchoring the plant to the ground
- Storage organ and propagation
Types of roots:
- Primary roots (e.g., Senega)
- Secondary roots (e.g., Kremeria)
- Adventitious roots (e.g., Ipecacuanha, Calumba)
- Prop roots (e.g., Maize)
- Fibrous roots (e.g., Grasses)
- Aerial roots (e.g., Ficus Bengalensis)
- Respiratory roots (e.g., some plants in water-logged soil)
- Storage roots (e.g., Belladonna, Umbelliferous roots, Calumba, root tubers)
Condition of roots for drug collection: usually dry; may be entire, sliced (longitudinally or transversally), or peeled (e.g., Liquorice).

Underground Organs - Lecture 2

Objectives:
- Official roots (Ipecacuanha, Liquorice, Senega)
- Unofficial roots (Radix ginseng, Calumba, Rauwolfia)
- Official rhizomes (Rhubarb, Ginger, Hydrastis, Valerian)
- Unofficial rhizomes (Curcuma, Garlic, Onion)
Ipecacuanha root (Erquel Thahab):
- Dried root or rhizome of Cephaelis ipecacuanha (Brot) or Cephaelis acuminata
Macroscopical and Microscopical characters: - Rio root: sub-cylindrical, 5-7mm long, 2-4 mm thick, brick-red to dark brown, transverse constrictions, presence of short, starchy, or splintery wood. - Cartagena root, longer, thicker, brownish-gray colour. - Microscopically, the cork is dark brown with granular contents. Phelloderm is wide, parenchymatous, containing starch granules (15-22 μm) and calcium oxalate raphides. The phloem forms a narrow ring, with short wedges of sieve tissues. Xylem is primarily triarch.
Uses: Expectorant and emetic.
Liquorice:
- Dried peeled or unpeeled root and rhizome of Glycyrrhiza glabra Linne.
- Spanish Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra var. Typica) or Russian Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra var. Glandulifera) are varieties.
Constituents and uses:
- Contains glycyrrhizin, and various flavonoid compounds.
- Demulcent and mild expectorant, in cough mixtures, treatment of ulcer, gentle laxative, used as mouthwash. Contraindicated in pregnancy and hypertension.
- Tests for identity Mix a little of powder with 1-2 drops of sulphuric acid (66% v/v), which gives an orange-red color, shaking an aqueous decoction produces a froth.
Adulteration of Curcuma: Detected by the presence of gelatinized starch and yellow masses.
Senega:
- Dried rootstock of Polygala senega
- Taste: Initially sweet, becoming bitter and acrid.
- Microscopically: Fewer vessels and numerous tracheids with border pits.
- Starch and Ca-oxalate are absent.
- Active constituents: Triterpenoid Saponins like Senegin.
- Uses: Expectorant in chronic bronchitis.
Aconite:
- Dried tuberous roots of Aconitum napellus.
- Active constituents: Aconitine, picraconitine, aconine, and other alkaloids (hypaconitine, neopelline, napelline, nealine, mesaconitine)
- Uses: Externally in neuralgia and rheumatism; internally for fever and pain. Now rarely used due to potential toxicity.
Radix Ginseng:
- Dried roots of Panax quinquefolium (American) or Panax Shin-seng (Chinese).
- Active constituents: complex mixture of saponins (or ginsenosides), panacene, volatile oil, sterols, polyacetylene derivatives (e.g. B-elemene), starch, pectin, simple sugars, vitamins, choline, flavonoids.
- Uses: Adaptogenic, antifatigue, antistress, antiaging, in diabetes treatment, reproductive enhancement, antioxidant, anticancer, and immune system enhancement.
Calumba:
- Dried transversely or obliquely sliced root of Jateorhiza palmata.
- Constituents: isoquinoline alkaloids (palmatine, jarorrhizine, calombamine), non-alkaloidal bitter principles (furanoterpenes, calumbin, isocalumbin, palmarin, jateorin, isoateorin), mucilage, and starch.
- Uses: Stomachic and bitter tonic; prescribed for anorexia and flatulent dyspepsia, possible use with iron salts.
Rauwolfia (Indian snake root):
- Dried rhizome and roots of Rauwolfia serpentina.
- Active constituents: alkaloids (ajmaline, ajmalinine, ajmalicin, serpentine, serpintinine, reserpine, rescinnamine), phytosterols, fatty acids, unsaturated alcohols, fumaric acid.
- Uses: Hypertension; neuropsychiatric disorders, insomnia, and cardiac arrhythmias.
Rhizoma Hydrastis (Golden Seal):
- Dried rhizome and root of Hydrastis canadensis.
- Constituents: isoquinoline alkaloids (hydrastine, berberine, canadine), resin, starch, traces of volatile oils.
- Uses and tests for identity, reduction of heavy menstrual bleeding, treatment with postpartum haemorrhage, digestive secretion increased, astringing for mucous membranes, bitter tonic.
Rhizoma Valerianae (Valerian or Valeriana):
- Dried rhizome and roots of Valeriana officinalis.
- Constituents: 1.4% volatile oil(bornyl isovalerianate), alkaloids (chatinine, valerianine), alcohols (valerianol), epoxy-iridoid esters like valepotriates and acevaltrate.
- Uses: Reduce mental overactivity, and nervous excitability, a calming effect on the mind, useful for insomnia, helpful for shoulder and neck tension.
Curcuma rhizome Turmeric:
- Dried rhizomes of Curcuma domestica (C. longa).
- Constituents: 1. Orange-yellow volatile oil (turmerone, zingiberene), 2. Yellow crystalline substance (curcumin), 3. starch, 4. resin. 5. sugar.
- Uses: condiment, coloring agent, stimulant, carminative, anti-inflammatory agent, antioxidant, treatment of jaundice and hepatitis, antibacterial agent in topical application.
Garlic:
- Fresh or dehydrated cloves of Allium sativum.
- Active constituents: Alliin (S-allyl-cysteine sulfoxide), S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide, allylpropyl disulfide, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, etc,. enzymes (alliinase, peroxidase).
- Uses: Remedy for some illnesses and infections, as an antiseptic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antimycotic effects, treating chest infections, coughs, and colds. Reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure.
Onion:
- Fleshy bulb of Allium cepa.
- Active constituents: organic sulfur compounds (e.g., trans-S-(1-propenyl) cysteine sulfoxide, S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide, S-propyl cysteine sulfoxide), alliinase, thiopropanal S-oxide, propanthial S-oxide.
- Uses: Antihypercholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, antifungal, antibiotic, and antiplatelet aggregation; also used as antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, stomachic, and anthelmintic

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz tests your knowledge about corms, specifically focusing on their characteristics, types, and medicinal properties. Dive into questions regarding Colchicum and Veratrum, as well as their uses in treating various conditions. Prepare to explore the fascinating world of plant anatomy and its applications in herbal medicine.