Plant Steroids and Their Uses
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Questions and Answers

What types of conditions is sarsaparilla indicated for treating?

  • Psoriasis and eczema (correct)
  • Diabetes and hypertension
  • Asthma and bronchitis
  • Heart disease and stroke

    • What is the primary reason for sarsaparilla's action in treating certain conditions?

  • Its steroid content (correct)
  • Its anti-inflammatory effects
  • Its antioxidant properties
  • Its high vitamin C levels

    • In what way is sarsaparilla related to cortisone and other steroids?

  • It inhibits their production
  • It has no relation at all
  • It completely substitutes for them
  • It is used in the partial synthesis of them (correct)

    • Which of the following conditions is NOT treated by sarsaparilla?

    <p>Chronic fatigue syndrome</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about sarsaparilla is true?

    <p>It has steroid properties derived from its roots.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is hecogenin derived from and what is its primary use?

    <p>Sisal, used in the partial synthesis of cortisone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which medicinal property is associated with the juice of Agave sisalana leaves?

    <p>It is used as an antiseptic in skin treatments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of diseases is the juice of Agave sisalana used to treat topically?

    <p>Skin diseases</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why has total synthesis become more economically feasible?

    <p>Because of advancements in chemical engineering</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What benefit does hecogenin provide beyond its use in cortisone production?

    <p>It supports the development of new drug therapies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the solubility characteristic of saponins?

    <p>Soluble in both alcohol and water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following solvents is saponin insoluble in?

    <p>Benzene</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the general nature of saponins?

    <p>Amorphous and polar</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement regarding saponins is true?

    <p>They are amorphous and dissolve in water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to saponins when exposed to non-polar organic solvents?

    <p>They remain insoluble.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect do saponins have when mixed with water?

    <p>They form a colloidal solution that froths upon shaking.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the primary characteristics of saponins in solution?

    <p>They modify and lower the surface tension of the solution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which property of saponins contributes to their frothing behavior?

    <p>Their hydrophilic colloidal nature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about saponins is true?

    <p>They can lower surface tension when in aqueous solution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do saponins typically behave in water upon agitation?

    <p>They create a stable frothy mixture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which plant steroid is primarily used for the partial synthesis of steroid hormones?

    <p>Diosgenin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a plant steroid important in the synthesis of steroid hormones?

    <p>Cholesterol</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do diosgenin, botogenin, and hecogenin play in hormone synthesis?

    <p>They are steroids used for synthesis of steroid hormones.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these options includes all known important plant steroids for steroid hormone synthesis mentioned?

    <p>Diosgenin, botogenin, hecogenin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be inferred about the plant steroids mentioned in relation to their structure?

    <p>They share a similar steroid framework.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What led manufacturers to switch to hecogenin for corticosteroids?

    <p>Availability of diosgenin from other sources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following steroidal sources is mentioned as an alternative to diosgenin?

    <p>Solanum species alkaloids</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant consequence of the nationalization of the Mexican industry on manufacturers?

    <p>Higher production costs leading to price hikes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    From which process did manufacturers derive hecogenin for corticosteroid production?

    <p>Switching from diosgenin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact did the price increase have on the sourcing of corticosteroid materials?

    <p>Manufacturers diversified their sources for raw materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the medicinal properties attributed to liquorice?

    <p>Antispasmodic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component found in liquorice is responsible for its various medicinal activities?

    <p>Glycyrrhizin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of liquorice as a demulcent?

    <p>Soothing irritation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an action of liquorice?

    <p>Narcotic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What unique property do saponins possess when mixed with water?

    <p>They form a soapy lather.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In addition to its flavoring abilities, what is another key benefit of liquorice?

    <p>Cough relief</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which type of plants are saponins primarily found?

    <p>Higher plants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements best describes saponins?

    <p>They form soapy lather in water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the general classification of saponins?

    <p>Glycosides.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the physical behavior of saponins when agitated in water?

    <p>They produce a frothy appearance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which food materials are known to contain significant amounts of saponins?

    <p>Beans and soybeans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the toxicity of saponins minimized during ingestion?

    <p>Through low absorption and hydrolysis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about saponins is accurate?

    <p>Saponins are present in various legumes and greens.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which food item is NOT listed as containing significant amounts of saponins?

    <p>Tomatoes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic of saponins contributes to their safety during digestion?

    <p>Low bioavailability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant use of saponins in non-medical applications?

    <p>As foaming agents in cleaning products</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a toxic effect of saponins?

    <p>They are toxic especially to cold-blooded animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which application of saponins is primarily for fire safety?

    <p>As a powerful emulsifier</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic of saponins makes them useful in creating foams?

    <p>Their surfactant properties</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about the toxicity of saponins is accurate?

    <p>Saponins can be particularly harmful to aquatic animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Sisal (Agave sisalana)

    • Leaves contain hecogenin, a key component in the partial synthesis of the drug cortisone.
    • The juice of Agave sisalana leaves has ethnopharmacological importance as it is used as an antiseptic for skin diseases and as a poultice for wounds.

    Sarsaparilla

    • Used for treating psoriasis, eczema, and rheumatoid arthritis.
    • Its effectiveness is attributed to the steroid content of its roots.
    • The genins derived from Sarsaparilla are used in the partial synthesis of cortisone and other steroids.

    Saponins

    • Mostly amorphous, soluble in alcohol and water, but insoluble in non-polar solvents like benzene and n-hexane.
    • Form colloidal solutions in water (hydrophilic colloids), creating foam when shaken.
    • Lower surface tension.

    Important Plant Steroids for Partial Synthesis

    • Diosgenin, botogenin, hecogenin are among the most important plant steroids used in the partial synthesis of steroid hormones.

    Saponins

    • Saponins are glycosides, occurring widely in plants, that produce a soapy lather in water.
    • Saponins are found in many food materials, including beans, lentils, soybeans, spinach, and oats.
    • Saponins are toxic to cold-blooded animals.
    • Saponins are used in medicine, foaming agents, detergents, emulsifiers, and even fish poisons.
    • Toxicity is minimized during ingestion by low absorption and hydrolysis.
    • The text states that due to increased prices from nationalization in Mexico, manufacturers turned to other sources for diosgenin, a steroidal saponin.
    • Liquorice contains glycyrrhizin, a saponin, with demulcent, expectorant and antispasmodic action. Glycyrrhizin makes liquorice a valuable flavoring and sweetening agent.

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    Description

    Explore the fascinating world of plant steroids like hecogenin, diosgenin, and their medicinal uses. This quiz delves into the importance of plants such as Sisal and Sarsaparilla in the synthesis of cortisone and other steroid hormones. Test your knowledge on their properties and applications in ethnopharmacology.

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