Pharmacognosy Overview and Crude Drugs Classification

A system of classifying crude drugs based on their botanical relationships (phytogenetical relations).

Doesn't consider the chemical composition of the drug.

A system of arranging crude drugs based on parts used and physical characteristics.

Helpful for studying crude drugs, provides easy identification, and shows links between chemical constituents and drug activity.

Offers quick access to information, suitable for reference.

Doesn't mention or categorize the chemical constituents in crude drugs.

Systems for classifying plant-derived medicines are useful for studying similarities and differences.

Taxonomic classification, focusing on plant relationships; Morphological classification, focusing on physical traits.

A method of classifying drugs based on their effects on the body (e.g., cardiotonic, anti-inflammatory).

Unprocessed plant material used in traditional medicine.

Drugs like digitalis, squill, or strophanthus that strengthen heart action.

Ephedrine, Vasaka, and Tussilaginis, drugs with anti-allergic functions.

Using morphological characteristics to discover if a substance has been mislabeled or contains extra materials.

This system of classification allows access to particular drugs that might be unavailable locally.

There is no connection between a drug's structure and its medicinal properties.

Cultivated herbs offer consistent quality, improved transport, and controlled growing conditions, making them reliable sources.

Mistakes in herb collection (like mixing species or wrong seasons) lead to loss of medicinal activity.

Climate, including altitude and temperature, significantly impacts medicinal plant growth and quality.

Different medicinal plants thrive at specific altitudes (e.g., tea at 2500-3000m).

Soil quality, including pH and fertility, is crucial for plant growth, affecting yield and medicinal properties.

Medicinal plants generally thrive in soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5.

Fertilizers provide essential nutrients to promote plant growth and development.

Extreme temperatures can damage herbs and affect the quality and quantity of their medicinal contents.

Nutrients that plants need in large amounts for growth. These are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).

Elements that are essential for plant growth but required in very small quantities. Examples include copper, manganese, boron, molybdenum, and zinc.

The process where a single cell divides into two or more cells. Plant growth regulators can influence this process.

The process where cells develop specialized functions, like forming roots, stems, or leaves. Plant growth regulators can influence this process.

Plant hormones that promote growth of coleoptiles, roots, and overall plant length. Examples include indoleacetic acid (IAA), indole butyric acid (IBA), and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA).

Plant hormones that promote stem growth through cell division, also impacting fruit growth and seed production. Examples include GA3 and GA4.

Plant hormones that stimulate cell division and growth of leaves. They also promote axillary and lateral bud growth and fruit maturity. They slow down the aging process.

Plant hormones that regulate responses to stress, like drought. They also control seed dormancy and leaf fall.

The optimal time to collect medicinal plants to ensure the highest quality and potency of their active constituents.

Fruits are best collected during the summer when they are fully ripe and mature, with emphasis on collecting both the fruit and seeds.

Leaves are best collected during the summer, specifically during the flowering stage, when they are rich in medicinal compounds.

Seeds are best collected in the fall after they have fully matured and dried, usually when the plant is in a dry condition.

Roots are best collected at the end of the vegetative period, before the plant flowers, as they are richest in medicinal compounds during this time.

The concentration of active constituents in Digitalis fluctuates throughout the day, reaching the highest point in the afternoon.

The stage of maturity of a plant can significantly influence the quantity and quality of its active constituents. Different parts of the plant are best collected at different stages.

Medicinal plants are typically best collected by hand to prevent contamination, damage, and ensure the highest quality of the raw material.

Compounds containing nitrogen but not derived from amino acids. They lack a true alkaloid structure and might be synthesized from other compounds.

Caffeine is a pseudo alkaloid. It is derived from xanthine, not an amino acid.

Nitrogen-containing compounds derived from amino acids, synthesized by plants.

Quinine, a compound found in the Cinchona bark, is a true alkaloid derived from tryptophan.

Simple nitrogen-containing compounds not derived from amino acids, similar to pseudo alkaloids.

Alkaloids are more common in higher plants, especially dicots. Certain families (like Apocynaceae or Solanaceae) are particularly rich in alkaloids.

Alkaloids can protect plants from insects and herbivores, serve as a nitrogen source, or act as growth regulators.

Nicotine in tobacco acts as a defense against herbivores. Ergotamine from fungi can be used as a growth regulator in some systems.