Pharmacology of Passion Flower

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary pharmacological activity of Passion Flower?

Sedative and anxiolytic (correct)

Antioxidant

Antibiotic

Anti-inflammatory

Which of the following flavonoids is NOT listed as part of the chemical composition of Passion Flower?

Shaftoside

Isovitexin

Isoorientin

Quercetin (correct)

How does Passion Flower show its activity in the body?

By modulation of the GABA system (correct)

By enhancing the norepinephrine system

By inhibiting the dopamine system

By stimulating the serotonin system

Which of the following constituents is found in Passion Flower in a minor quantity?

Indole alkaloids Signup and view all the answers

What other drug is commonly combined with Passion Flower for its sedative effects?

Valerian Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the chemical composition of Passion Flower is incorrect?

It contains significant amounts of harmful substances. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of Passion Flower is primarily used for medicinal purposes?

Aerial parts Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of flavonoid-containing drugs like Passion Flower?

They may help with minor sleep disturbances. Signup and view all the answers

What pharmacological activity is thyme known for?

Antifungal and antibacterial Signup and view all the answers

Which flavonoid is found in Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)?

Quercetin 3-O-glucoside Signup and view all the answers

What is a traditional use of Equisetum arvense?

Diuretic Signup and view all the answers

What type of compounds contribute to the spasmolytic activity of thyme?

Phenols Signup and view all the answers

Which component does NOT typically belong to the chemical composition of Equisetum arvense?

Essential oil Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest percentage of silica (SiO2) found in Equisetum arvense?

5-10% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a use of Field Horsetail in cosmetology?

Treatment of acne Signup and view all the answers

What type of toxicity is associated with Equisetum palustre?

Toxicity for livestock Signup and view all the answers

What is a pharmacological use of Roman Camomile?

Antispasmodic Signup and view all the answers

Which flavonoid is notably found in Immortelle flower?

Kaempferol Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an essential oil component found in Yarrow?

Limonene Signup and view all the answers

What is traditionally used for treating gastrointestinal disorders?

Roman Camomile Signup and view all the answers

What type of compound is predominantly found in the chemical composition of Roman Camomile?

Flavonoids Signup and view all the answers

Which property is NOT associated with Immortelle flower?

Antifungal Signup and view all the answers

What are sesquiterpene lactones primarily known for?

Bitter taste Signup and view all the answers

Which traditional use is linked to Immortelle flower?

Treats otitis Signup and view all the answers

Which is a characteristic of flavonoids found in Yarrow?

6-methoxylated flavones Signup and view all the answers

What role do flavonoids from Roman Camomile play?

Act as antioxidants Signup and view all the answers

Which class of flavonoids is characterized by the absence of a 2,3-double bond?

Flavanones Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of flavonoids in plants?

Attracting insects through UV absorption Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the structural feature of flavonoids?

Contain a 2-phenylchromane skeleton Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following flavonoids is known to accumulate in the leaf cuticle?

Free aglycones Signup and view all the answers

What determines the glycosidic forms of flavonoids?

Water-solubility and accumulation in vacuoles Signup and view all the answers

Which class of flavonoids is primarily found in the families Lamiaceae, Rutaceae, and Asteraceae?

6-O-substituted flavonoids Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant feature of chalcones in flavonoid classification?

Characterized by an open C-ring Signup and view all the answers

In which class of flavonoids would you find compounds like catechin and leucocyanidin?

Flavan-3-ols Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can be a product of flavonoid bonding?

Biflavonoids Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of isoflavones?

Have a distinct 3-phenylchromone structure Signup and view all the answers

Which flavonoid structure typically has at least one asymmetric center?

Flavanones Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about structural diversity in 2-phenylchromones is true?

Substitutions mostly occur at specific carbon positions Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of structural features in flavonoids regarding chemotaxonomy?

They can indicate phylogenetic relationships Signup and view all the answers

Which variant of flavonoids can exhibit a C-C type interflavonoid linkage?

Biflavonoids Signup and view all the answers

What types of sugars can flavonoid glycosides consist of?

Hexoses and pentoses Signup and view all the answers

Which bond is characteristic of C-glycosides in flavonoids?

C-C bond between anomeric carbon of sugar and C-6 or C-8 of aglycone Signup and view all the answers

What is the common property of flavonoids involving vascular health?

Decrease capillary fragility Signup and view all the answers

Which structural elements are required for optimal free radical scavenging activity in flavonoids?

Hydroxyl groups and a ketone function Signup and view all the answers

Which chromatographic techniques are used for the separation and purification of flavonoids?

Liquid chromatography and HPLC Signup and view all the answers

How are glycosides extracted efficiently?

With acetone or alcohol mixtures (20-50%) Signup and view all the answers

What are common methods of qualitative analysis for flavonoids?

Thin Layer Chromatography and specific chemical reactions Signup and view all the answers

Which flavonoid is extracted from buckwheat?

Rutin Signup and view all the answers

What biological property do several flavonoids exhibit regarding enzymes?

They can inhibit or stimulate various enzymes Signup and view all the answers

Which structural adaptation makes rutin more soluble?

Converting to a glycosyl derivative Signup and view all the answers

Which compound is known as a citroflavonoid derived from citrus fruits?

Naringenin Signup and view all the answers

What common pharmacological application do flavonoids have?

Address chronic venous insufficiency symptoms Signup and view all the answers

What solvent types do flavonoid glycosides typically dissolve in?

Water and alcohols Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Flavonoids - General Overview

Flavonoids are universal plant pigments
They are responsible for the color of flowers, fruits, and sometimes leaves
Yellow flavonoids include chalcones and aurones
Red, blue, or purple flavonoids are anthocyanins
Flavonoids can sometimes act as copigments, affecting the color of other pigments (e.g., protecting anthocyanins)
Flavonoids are widespread in the plant kingdom, except for algae
Structural diversity of flavonoids is maximal in angiosperms
Glycosidic forms of flavonoids are water-soluble and accumulate in vacuoles
Free aglycones are located in leaf cuticles

Flavonoid Chemistry and Classification

Flavonoids have a "2-phenylchromane" skeleton
They are classified based on the degree of oxidation of the "pyran" ring
2-phenylchromones include flavones, flavonols, flavanones, and dihydroflavonols
2-phenylchromanes include flavans, flavan-3-ols, and flavan-3,4-diols
3-phenylchromones include isoflavones and isoflavanones
Chalcones and dihydrochalcones have an open pyran ring
2-benzylidene coumaranones are also known as aurones
2-phenylbenzopyriliums are anthocyanins

Flavonoid Structure Diversity

Substitution at C-5 and C-7 by -OH groups occurs in 90% of flavonoids.
Flavonoids can be free or etherified (-OMe)
Commonly, they are engaged in glycosidic linkages (O-glc...)
These can also be substituted at C-6 and C-8;
Free or etherified -OH groups
Isoprenylation
Methylation
C-glycosylation and substitution at B ring
Examples of B-ring substitutions include C-4'-OH, 3',4'-di OH, and 3',4',5'-tri OH.

Flavonoid Characterization

Flavones and dihydroflavonols are characterized by the absence of a 2,3-double bond
At least one asymmetric center is present
C-2 is generally in the S configuration

Flavonoid-3-ol and Flavon-3,4-diols

These are 2-phenylchromanes
Examples include catechin and leucocyanidin

3-Phenylchromones (Isoflavonoids)

Isoflavones and isoflavanones are included in this category

Chalcones

The C-ring of chalcones is open
They are characterized by a 3C-chain with a ketone function and alpha,beta-unsaturation

2-Benzylidenecoumaranone (Aurones)

Hispidol is an example in this category

Biflavonoids

Two flavonoid structures are connected to each other
Interflavonoid linkages can be C-C type (e.g., amentoflavone) or C-O-C type (e.g., hinokiflavone).
The two flavonoid units may or may not be the same type (e.g., biflavone, biflavanone, flavone-flavanone)

Flavonoid Glycosides

Flavonoid glycosides (O-glycosides) are mono, di, and trisaccharides
Common sugars include D-glucose, D-galactose, D-allose, D-apiose, L-arabinose, L-rhamnose, and D-xylose.
Uronic acids (D-glucuronic acid, D-galacturonic acid) are also present
Glycosation often happens at C-7 (OH) in flavones or C-3 (OH) in flavonols
Aliphatic acids (e.g., acetic, malonic, tiglic) and aromatic acids (e.g., gallic, benzoic, cinnamic) can also be attached
Flavonoid glycosides also have C-glycosides where the glycosidation bond occurs between the anomeric carbon of the sugar and C-6 or C-8 of the aglycone. (e.g., orientin and saponarin )

Biosynthetic Origin of Flavonoids

Flavonoids are biosynthesized from different starting points, leading to various classes.

Flavonoid Physicochemical Properties

Flavonoid glycosides are generally soluble in water and alcohols (e.g., ethanol, methanol).
Rutin and hesperidin are exceptions and are only sparingly soluble.
Aglycones are generally soluble in non-polar solvents.
Flavonoids that have at least one free phenolic group dissolve in alkaline hydroxide solutions.
Glycosides are usually extracted using mixtures of acetone or ethanol/methanol/water.
Common fractionation methods include liquid-liquid extraction (using immiscible solvents like petroleum ether, diethyl ether, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate), to separate flavonoids from plant material
Chromatographic purification can be used to separate flavonoids (e.g. polyamide, sephadex, silica gel)
Qualitative analysis (TLC) and quantitative analysis (spectrophotometry, HPLC-DAD) are used.

Flavonoids - Biological properties

Flavonoids have various biological properties and uses, including reducing capillary fragility and permeability.
They act as Vitamin P, venous tonics, and can be used as topical agents in phlebology.
They are used for treating symptoms of venous and lymphatic insufficiency, acute piles, metrorrhagias, lymphedema.
Flavonoids also demonstrate free radical scavenging activity, structural requirements include two ortho-hydroxyl groups on the B ring, ketone function at C-4, and 2,3-unsaturation.
Some flavonoids inhibit or stimulate different enzymes (e.g., CAMP phosphodiesterase, aldose-reductase, lipooxygenase, cyclooxygenase, proline hydroxylase)
Other flavonoid properties include anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, hepatoprotective, antispasmodic, blood cholesterol-decreasing, diuretic, antibacterial, antiviral, and cytostatic activity

Flavonoids - Chief Flavonoids on the Market

Citroflavonoids, isolated from citrus fruits
Rutin, from various plants (e.g., Japanese pagoda tree, buckwheat)
Flavonoids are extracted from pericarp and pulp as Ca and Mg derivatives
Flavonoids from these sources can be used alone or in combination with other compounds Also used to treat and prevent conditions like leg symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, and the acute attack of piles.

Flavonoid-Containing Drugs

Different plants contain various flavonoid concentrations.
These flavonoids can differ in the way they are used, and in their chemical composition.
Examples include: Ginkgo biloba (leaves), Passiflora incarnata (aerial parts), Thymus vulgaris (aerial parts), Equisetum arvense (aerial parts), Chamaemelum nobile (flowers), and Achillea millefolium (flowers), and Helichrysum plicatum (flowers).
Some plants also have toxicity concerns related to their flavonoid content.

Flavonoid toxicity

Some flavonoids can be toxic, especially as concerns some plants used in livestock, or as adulterants of other products

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Description

Test your knowledge on the pharmacological activities and chemical composition of Passion Flower. This quiz covers its medicinal uses, active constituents, and typical combinations with other sedative drugs. Perfect for students in pharmacology or herbal medicine.