Questions and Answers
What are the oldest sources of drugs used?
Which of the following is a cardiac glycoside obtained from the leaves of Digitalis Purpurea?
Which plant provides morphine?
What is the active principle obtained from the Ipecacuanha root?
Signup and view all the answers
True or False: Antibiotics are derived from plants.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following sources with their examples:
Signup and view all the answers
The process of gene cloning involves __________ of DNA by enzyme restriction endonucleases.
Signup and view all the answers
What is an advantage of recombinant DNA technology?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is a disadvantage of recombinant DNA technology?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Sources of Drugs
- Natural sources are the oldest, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and minerals.
Plants as Drug Sources
-
Various parts of plants provide important drugs:
-
Leaves:
- Digitalis purpurea yields cardiac glycosides (digoxin, digitoxin).
- Eucalyptus oil essential for cough syrups.
- Tobacco leaves contain nicotine.
- Atropa belladonna provides atropine.
-
Flowers:
- Poppy (Papaver somniferum) produces morphine (opioid).
- Vinca rosea produces vincristine and vinblastine (anti-neoplastic).
- Rose petals are used for rose water tonic.
-
Fruits:
- Senna pod contains anthracine, used as a purgative.
- Calabar beans yield physostigmine, which acts as a cholinomimetic.
-
Seeds:
- Nux vomica seeds produce strychnine, a CNS stimulant.
- Castor oil seeds provide castor oil.
-
Roots:
- Ipecacuanha induces vomiting and is amoebicidal.
- Rauwolfia serpentina yields reserpine, a hypotensive agent.
-
Bark:
- Cinchona bark delivers quinine and quinidine (antimalarial and antiarrhythmic).
- Anticholinergic agents from Atropa belladonna and Hyoscyamus niger.
-
Leaves:
-
Forms of plant drugs include extracts, infusions, decoctions, and powders; they contain chemicals like alkaloids, glycosides, oils, resins, and tannins.
Animals as Drug Sources
- Modern drugs from animals include proteins, fats, enzymes, and hormones.
- Examples: gonadotropins, heparin, insulin, and thyroid extracts.
Microorganisms as Drug Sources
- Antibiotics derived from fungi and bacteria emerged after the discovery of penicillin in 1928.
- Common antibiotics: penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin.
Minerals as Drug Sources
- Comprises metals, metalloids, non-metal substances, and compounds.
- Minerals like iron and zinc serve specific medical purposes, such as treating anemia and enhancing immune functions.
Types of Drug Sources
-
Semi-Synthetic Drugs:
- Retain the nucleus of a natural source while altering its structure.
- Complex and costly.
- Examples include 6-aminopenicillanic acid and semi-synthetic human insulin.
-
Synthetic Drugs:
- Created in laboratories from organic/inorganic compounds.
- Examples include chloroform, ether, nitrous oxide, and various classes such as antihistamines and anticonvulsants.
Recombinant DNA Technology
-
Involves gene cloning through DNA cleavage using restriction endonucleases.
-
New genetic combinations are inserted into bacterial cultures to produce drugs.
-
Products include human insulin, growth hormones, vaccines, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factors.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Recombinant DNA Technology
-
Advantages:
- Significant quantities of drugs can be produced.
- Purity of drugs obtained is high.
- Less antigenic response in subjects.
-
Disadvantages:
- Requires well-equipped laboratories.
- Needs highly trained personnel.
- Technique is complex and intricate.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz delves into the natural sources of drugs, focusing primarily on plants. It covers the various aspects of plant-based drug identification, challenges in sourcing, and factors affecting drug standardization and purity. Test your knowledge on the essential principles and issues surrounding natural drug sources.
