Pharmacognosy: Unorganized Drugs Overview

Unorganized Drugs

• Unorganized drugs are chemical substances derived from plant or animal parts, not cells.
• They are commonly solid, but some are liquid (e.g., oils, honey).

Classification

• Plant origin:
  • Dried latex
  • Dried juice
  • Extracts
  • Gums
  • Resin & resin combination
  • Balsams
• Animal origin:
  • Fixed oils
  • Waxes
  • Insects
  • Venoms
  • Others

Dried Latex

• A stable emulsion or suspension.
• The continuous phase is an aqueous solution of protein, sugars, tannins.
• The suspended phase is oil droplets and resin.
• Plays a role in plant defense mechanisms.
• Found in laticiferous cells, tubes, or vessels.
• Obtained by incision from the plant.
• Opium is a dried latex from the opium poppy Papaver somniferum.

Active constituents of Opium

• Contains approximately 30 alkaloids combined with meconic acid.
• Phenanthrene alkaloids: morphine (9.5-20% when acetylated forms heroin), codeine (0.3-0.4% as methyl morphine), and thebaine.
• Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids: papaverine and narcotine (noscapine).
• Phenylethylamine alkaloid: narceine.

Chemical tests for Morphine

• Deniges test: 10 ml solution + 2 ml 3% H₂O₂ + 1 ml 10% NH₃ + 1 drop CuSO₄ = red color
• Marquis test: Evaporate solution, add 1 drop formaldehyde + 1 ml H₂SO₄ = purple blue color

Chemical tests for Meconic acid

• Solution + FeCl₃ = deep purple color
• Not destroyed by boiling nor adding cold dilute HCl or mercuric chloride

Chemical tests for Papaverine (Warren's test)

• 0.5 mg papaverine + small crystal KMnO₄ + 0.2 ml Marquis reagent (2-3 drops of 40% formaldehyde + 3 ml conc. H₂SO₄) = green color rapidly changes to blue.

Uses of Opium Constituents

• Morphine: Sedative, hypnotic, powerful narcotic analgesic for trauma, fractures, surgeries, and cancer pain.
• Codeine & Narcotine: Antitussive (cough suppressant).
• Papaverine: Antispasmodic for peripheral thrombosis, bronchial asthma, and myocardial infarction.

Dried Juice

• Aqueous liquids with dissolved substances.
• Found in cells or cavities.
• Obtained by incision or cutting.
• Aloes: solid residue from various Aloe species (e.g., Aloe ferox, Aloe barbadensis) after evaporating the juice.

Active constituents of Aloes

• Anthraquinones (e.g., aloe-emodin, alomicin).
• C-glycosides (e.g., barbaloin, isobarbaloin).
• Polysaccharides and mucopolysaccharides.
• Organic acids (e.g., tartaric, malic), amino acids, minerals.

Uses of Aloes

• Purgative (anthraquinones): skin care, falling hair, dandruff, alopecia.
• Antitumor (alomicin, mucopolysaccharides).
• Hypotensive (mucopolysaccharides).
• Antidiabetic (may be mucopolysaccharides).
• Improves liver functions (mucopolysaccharides).
• Emmenagogue (increases menstrual flow).

Extracts

• Drugs prepared by evaporating aqueous decoctions of plant or animal organs.
• Agar: extracted chiefly from red algae species of Gelidium, especially G. elegans and G. amansi (Family: Gelidiaceae).
• Known as vegetable gelatin.

Active constituents of Agar

• Calcium salt of a sulfuric acid ester of complex polysaccharide.
• Hydrolyzed by boiling dilute HCl to yield galactose and sulfuric acid.
• Contains small traces of proteins.

Chemical tests for Agar

• Powder + I₂ = brick red particles (not blue).
• Aqueous solution + dilute HCl, boil in water bath for 30 min, + BaCl₂ = white precipitate (test for sulfate).

Uses of Agar

• Preparation of bacteriological culture media.
• Passes through the intestines unchanged, absorbs water, promotes peristalsis, for treating constipation.

Gelatin

• Mixture of reversible gel-forming proteins.
• Obtained by boiling collagenous tissues (skin, tendons, ligaments, bones) with water.
• Extract is decolorized, filtered, and concentrated into a solid form.

Active constituents of Gelatin

• Proteins and peptides rich in essential amino acids obtained from collagen hydrolysis.

Chemical tests for Gelatin

• Solution + mercuric nitrate (Millon's reagent) = brick red on warming.
• Solution + picric acid = yellow precipitate.

Uses of Gelatin

• Capsules, pill coatings, suppository bases.
• Culture media in bacteriology.
• Nutrient.

Balsams

• Resinous mixtures with high benzoic or cinnamic acids or their esters.
• Benzoin: balsamic resin from the stems of Styrax benzoin (Sumatra benzoin) and Styrax tonkinensis (Siam benzoin).

Active constituents of Sumatra Benzoin

• Free cinnamic and benzoic acids and their esters.
• Triterpenoid acids and vanillin.

Uses of Sumatra Benzoin

• Internally as expectorant and antiseptic.
• Ingredient in cosmetic lotions, drinks, perfumes.

Active components of Siam Benzoin

• Coniferyl benzoate, coniferyl alcohol.
• Traces of cinnamic acid, free benzoic acid.
• Triterpenoid acids and vanillin.

Uses of Siam Benzoin

• Mainly in perfumery.

Oleo-gum-resin Myrrh

• Oleo-gum-resin from the stems and branches of Commiphora molmol.
• Occurs in tears or masses varying in size and shape.

Active constituents of Myrrh

• Volatile oil (7-17%): terpenes, sesquiterpenes, esters, cuminaldehyde, eugenol.
• Resin (25-40%): sesquiterpenes.
• Gum (57-61%): terpenes.
• Impurities (3-4%).

Uses of Myrrh

• Stimulant and antiseptic properties.
• Oral hygiene (gargles, mouthwashes).
• Uterine stimulant and emmenagogue.
• Perfumery.

Fixed Oils (Cod-Liver Oil)

• Fixed oil extracted from the fresh liver of Gadus morrhaua (cod).
• Fish livers (50% oil) are removed, washed, sliced, and transferred to steamers for separation and storage at low temperatures.
• Refined and standardized afterwards.

Active constituents of Cod-Liver Oil

• Vitamin A and vitamin D.
• Rich in omega-3 fatty acids (85%) and saturated fatty acids (15%).

Uses of Cod-Liver Oil

• Nutritive, prevents rickets (vitamin D).
• Treats xerophthalmia and night blindness (vitamin A).
• Aids in skin conditions (acne).
• Promotes heart health and joint health (unsaturated fatty acids).

Evening Primrose Oil

• Fixed oil from the seeds of Oenothera spp.
• High in unsaturated fatty acids: cis-linoleic acid (LA) and esterified gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).

Uses of Evening Primrose Oil

• Precursor of prostaglandins for those lacking the enzymes converting LA to GLA.
• Treats atopic eczema..
• Treats premenstrual syndrome.

Other uses of Evening Primrose Oil

• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Dietary supplement, nutritional deficiencies (essential fatty acid).
• Cosmetic purposes.

Honey

• Nectar from flowers containing sucrose.
• Bee saliva with invertase enzyme converts sucrose to invert sugar (mixture of glucose and fructose).
• Best honey from clover and citrus blossoms.
• Some honey types are known as poisonous honey (e.g., Datura stramonium).

Uses of Honey

• Demulcent and sweetening agent.
• Cough sedative and expectorant.
• Antibacterial properties.
• Stops bleeding (vitamin K content).
• Ulcers, varicose veins, post-surgery.
• Cod-liver oil and honey mixture treats infected wounds and burns.

Insects (Cochineal)

• Dried female Dactylopius coccus insect.
• Family: Coccidae.

Active constituents of Cochineal

• Red colouring matter: carminic acid (C-glycoside) and carmine.

Uses of Cochineal

• Coloring agent for toothpastes, tinctures, and food products (E 120 - Carmine).

Snakes Venom

• Complex mixtures of toxic proteins.
• Some proteins composed of amino acids with disulfide bridges.
• Enzymes (e.g., phospholipase A2, phosphodiesterase).
• Glycoproteins.

Effects of Snake Venom

• Blocks acetylcholine release from nerve endings = neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity.
• Blocks muscle contraction and respiratory failure.
• Gastrointestinal issues (excessive salivation, nausea, vomiting, gastric hyperdistension).

Treatment and Antidotes for Snake Venom

• Anti-venom injections.
• Symptomatic treatment (e.g., atropine, analgesics, cortisone).

Therapeutic Uses of Snake Venom

• Enzyme phosphodiesterase as a molecular probe to study nucleotide sequences in nucleic acids.
• Glycoprotein's immunosuppressive property for preventing organ transplant rejection.
• Investigated for antiviral, antibacterial, and anticarcinogenic properties.

Explore the fascinating world of unorganized drugs derived from plant and animal origins. This quiz delves into classifications, specific constituents like dried latex, and the active components of opium. Perfect for students of pharmacognosy and herbal medicine.