Pharmacology: Constituents and Uses of Seeds

Study Notes

Seeds of Various Plants

Nux Vomica Seeds

Dried ripe seeds of Strychnos nux vomica (Fam.Loganiaceae)
Contains not more than 1% foreign organic matter and yields not less than 2.5% of alkaloids, and not less than 1.2% strychnine alkaloid
Odor: odorless
Taste: intense bitter and persistant taste
Seed: disc-shaped, compressed, nearly flat, usually concave on one side and convex on the other
Very hard seed due to the hemicellulosic thick walled endosperm

Nutmeg Seeds

Dried ripe seeds of Myristica fragrans (Fam.Myristicaceae)
Contains alkaloids (strychnine and brucine), chlorogenic acid, loganin (iridoid glycoside), and fixed oil (3%)
Stimulates the muscular coat of the intestine, increasing peristalsis
Large doses cause violent convulsions and can cause death
Chemical tests: powder + nitric acid + examine under microscope = orange red color in the endospermic cells
Powder + Mandalin’s reagent (sulfovanadic acid) = violet color

Mace

Arillode of the seed of Myristica fragrans
Removed by hand, dried in sun which acquires a yellowish or orange brown color
Contains 4-15% volatile oil
Used as a condiment and carminative

Castor Seeds

Dried seeds of Ricinus communis Linn. (Fam. Euphorbiaceae)
Fixed Oil 46-63%
Protein 26%
Ricin (toxic protein)
Ricinine alkaloid (toxic alkaloid)
Castor oil (colorless or pale yellow, slight odor, acrid taste) is used as a purgative due to its ricinoleic acid content

Pumpkin Seeds

Dried seeds of Cucurbita pepo (Fam. Cucurbitaceae)
Contains unsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols
Oil of the seed is used for benign prostatic hyperplesia, Atherosclerosis, and Male infertility

Evening Primrose

No specific information provided

Colchicum Seeds

Dried ripe seeds of Colchicum autumnale Linne (Fam. Liliaceae)
Contains not more than 2% foreign organic matter and yields not less than 0.5% colchicine
Odor: odorless
Taste: unpleasant, bitter and acrid taste
Seed: small, ovoid, or subglobular, 2-3 mm in diameter
Internally: straight embryo, about 0.5 m long, adjacent to the micropyle
Fixed oil 1%
Glucose 5%
Colchicine is a plant hormone, inducing polyploidy in plant cells, and has potent cytotoxic and anticancer activity, but is highly toxic

Description

This quiz covers the constituents of seeds, including alkaloids, chlorogenic acid, and loganin, as well as their uses and chemical tests. Topics include the effects of seeds on the stomach and intestine, and the risks of toxicity.