Pharmacognosy: Natural Products & Drug Sources

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Questions and Answers

Which consideration poses the GREATEST challenge when attempting to integrate traditional medicine practices with modern drug discovery?

The lack of sophisticated analytical techniques required to validate the efficacy and safety of herbal remedies.
The high cost associated with isolating and identifying novel bioactive compounds from traditionally used plants.
The limited availability of plant materials used in traditional medicine, making it difficult to obtain sufficient quantities for research.
The protection of intellectual property rights and fair benefit-sharing with indigenous communities who hold traditional knowledge. (correct)

A researcher is investigating a plant extract for its potential anticancer properties. After initial screening, several compounds show promising activity. What is the MOST appropriate NEXT step in lead optimization?

Conduct extensive animal studies to assess the in vivo efficacy and toxicity of the crude extract.
File a patent application for the crude extract to protect its commercial potential.
Modify the chemical structure of the compounds to improve their target specificity, bioavailability, and reduce potential side effects. (correct)
Initiate large-scale cultivation of the plant to ensure a continuous supply of the extract.

In the context of quality control for herbal drugs, what is the MOST significant advantage of using chemical fingerprinting over relying solely on marker compounds?

Chemical fingerprinting is easier to perform and interpret, requiring less expertise than marker compound analysis.
Chemical fingerprinting can detect a wider range of adulterants and variations in the overall chemical composition of the herbal product. (correct)
Chemical fingerprinting is less expensive and requires less specialized equipment than marker compound analysis.
Chemical fingerprinting provides a more accurate quantification of the active ingredients in the herbal product.

When using spectroscopic methods to analyze a natural product, which technique would be MOST effective for determining the connectivity of atoms within a complex organic molecule?

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (B) Signup and view all the answers

In a scenario where a researcher aims to discover novel antimicrobial compounds from marine organisms, what justifies prioritizing the screening of marine sponges over other marine sources like algae or fish?

Marine sponges are known to host a diverse community of symbiotic microorganisms, which produce a wide array of bioactive compounds for the sponge's defense. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A pharmacognosy lab is tasked with isolating a known bioactive compound from a plant source using Soxhlet extraction. Despite following a validated protocol, the yield is significantly lower than expected. Identify the MOST probable cause.

The plant material was not properly dried, resulting in reduced compound solubility and extraction efficiency. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Consider a study comparing the efficacy of a novel plant-derived compound against a synthetic drug for treating hypertension. What is the MOST critical factor to address when designing a clinical trial to ensure unbiased and reliable results?

Using a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design to minimize bias and account for the placebo effect. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of metabolomics, what is the MOST significant advantage of using mass spectrometry (MS) coupled with chromatography over NMR spectroscopy for analyzing complex mixtures of natural products?

MS offers higher sensitivity and can detect a wider range of metabolites, including those present at very low concentrations. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST compelling reason for implementing combinatorial biosynthesis in the context of natural product drug discovery?

To generate novel structural analogs of existing natural products with potentially improved pharmacological properties. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is investigating the anti-inflammatory properties of a plant extract using both in vitro and in vivo assays. What is the MOST critical consideration when interpreting discordant results between these two types of assays?

The differences in assay conditions, such as compound metabolism, bioavailability, and systemic effects, may account for the discordant results, and further investigation is warranted. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A pharmaceutical company wants to develop a new drug based on a natural product originally identified from an endangered plant species. Which strategy would BEST balance the goals of drug development with the need for environmental conservation?

Using genetic engineering techniques to produce the natural product in a more sustainable and scalable manner, such as in microbial cell cultures. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), what is the MOST significant advantage of using supercritical CO2 over traditional organic solvents for extracting bioactive compounds from plant materials.

Supercritical CO2 is a non-toxic, environmentally friendly solvent that can be easily removed from the extract by depressurization. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Regulatory bodies often have different standards for approving herbal medicines compared to synthetic pharmaceuticals. Which statement BEST describes the PRIMARY reason for these differences?

Herbal medicines are often complex mixtures of compounds with poorly defined mechanisms of action, making it difficult to apply the same rigorous standards used for single-molecule synthetic drugs. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following steps would be LEAST effective in preventing adulteration and ensuring the quality of herbal products in the global market?

Relying solely on visual inspection and traditional knowledge to assess the quality and authenticity of herbal products. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In drug discovery, after identifying a promising lead compound with activity against a specific therapeutic target, what is the MOST critical objective of preclinical studies before advancing to clinical trials?

To assess the compound's safety and toxicity profile, as well as its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Pharmacognosy

Study of natural products (plants, microbes) as drug sources.

Extraction

Separation of bioactive compounds from a source.