Subterranean Organs PDF

Subterranean Organs General characters of subterranean organs Subterranean organs include rhizomes and roots. Some drugs consist of rhizome and roots attached together, in other cases rhizomes resemble the root in size and appearance so it is difficult to separate them. Subterranean o...

Subterranean Organs General characters of subterranean organs Subterranean organs include rhizomes and roots. Some drugs consist of rhizome and roots attached together, in other cases rhizomes resemble the root in size and appearance so it is difficult to separate them. Subterranean organs used in medicine are usually collected from perennial plants. a) They serve as storage organs for various nutrients. b) They are rich in reserved food materials; carbohydrates such as starch as in Rhubarb& filix mass; sugars as in gentian& squill; inulin as in the compositae. c) They are devoid of chlorophyll.  Classification of Subterranean Organs Subterranean organs include Subterranean stems Subterranean roots Stem root rhizomes corms bulbs roots tubers tubers There is no clear division between rhizomes and roots in a commercial sense.  Difference between Subterranean organs Subt. Root Subt. Stem Leaves Absent Present, Scaly Buds Absent Axillary bud Lateral branches Present, lateral roots Present Adventitious roots Absent Present Growing point Present called root cap Protected by leaves or calyoptra forming a bud Nodes & internodes Absent Present , short Pericycle Absent Present T.S. Central solid mass of Dicot. rhizomes have xylem always pith Wrinkles Mainly longitudinally Transverse Difference between Subterranean organs T.S. in root T.S. in dicot stem  Types of subterranean stems 1- Rhizome Most important and most common member of the group regarding medicinal value Underground stem with nodes and internodes, long or short, terminal buds and aerial shoots, may be branched (Ginger) or non branched (Rhubarb)  2. Corm 1. Shortened swollen erect underground stem, covered with brown scale leaves arising at the nodes and usually having a large apical bud and small axillary ones. 2. The daughter corm is protected below the large apical bud 3. In distinction from rhizome, it is formed of one season growth, the previous season corm usually disappeared (Colchicum).  3. Stem tuber Swollen underground stem Full of reserved food materials, Serve for vegetative propagation. It differs from the root tuber in bearing several small scales and buds as well as the terminal bud on the free end, sometimes form what is called “eyes” (Potato).  4. Bulb Underground stem reduced to a small flattened disc and is crowned with fleshy scale leaves and having adventitious roots arising from the base of the bulb (Onion, Squill)  Anomalous (irregular) structures in subterranean organs Rhubarb Abnormal bundles are produced in the pith in the form of radiating structures called star spots, consisting of a central dark spot of collapsed premedullary phloem surrounded by an abnormally developed cambium, giving phloem inwards and xylem outwards, with radiating slightly curved medullary rays.  Star spots C; Cambium, m.r.; Medullary rays, s.t.; Sieve tubes v; Xylem vessels, ph; Phloem, cr.; Cluster crystal of Ca. Ox.  Classification of the Drugs I. Drugs containing volatile oils Ginger, Curcuma,Valerian, Garlic. II. Drugs containing glycosides A. Anthraquinone e.g. Rhubarb B. Cardiac e.g. Squill. C. Bitter e.g Gentian. III. Drugs containing Alkaloids e.g. Ipecacuanha, Aconite, Rauwolfia. Drugs Containing Volatile oil 1. Ginger. Rhizome 2. Curcuma. Rhizome 3. Valeriana. Root & rhizome 4. Garlic. Bulb  Ginger Syn.: Rhizoma Zingiberis Origin: It is the dried scraped or unscraped rhizome of Zingiber officinale, Fam. Zingeberaceae deprived of its roots & outer dark tissues & known as unbleached **** Jamaica Ginger. N.B.: 􀂉 Fingers bearing buds (hand like structure). 􀂉 Monocot.  Types of commercial Ginger Commercial ginger may vary in appearance according to the way in which it has been prepared for the market as follows: Coated or unscraped ginger: rhizomes no or little cork is removed. Scraped or uncoated ginger: rhizomes are completely peeled. Limed ginger: rhizomes treated with calcium sulphate or carbonate which give the rhizomes whitis appearance. Bleached ginger: rhizomes treated with sulphurous acid or chlorine.  Microscopical characters of the Ginger powder: Yellowish white in colour with agreeable aromatic odour and pungent taste, microscopically it is characterized by: Scitaminaceous starch: Simple starch granules, ovoid and have eccentric hilum and faint transverse striations Microscopical characters of the Ginger powder: Non-lignified (except middle lamella) septated fibers with oblique slit-like pits Oleo-resin cells Reticularly lignified xylem with associated pigment cells  Active Constituents of Ginger Volatile oil: consists of mainly mono and sesquiter– penes; camphene, beta-phellandrene, cineole, geranyl acetate, terphineol, terpenes, borneol, geraniol, limonene, linalool, alpha-zingiberene, beta-sesquiphellandrene, beta- bisabolene and alpha farmesene. Oleoresin: contain pungent substances namely gingerol, shogaol, zingerone and paradol.  N. B.: The dehydrated product of gingerol (shogoal) is a predominant pungent constituent of ginger, which is phenolic constituent, it can be destroyed by boiling with potassium hydroxide (C.f. Capsicum).  Uses of Ginger 1. Nausea and vomiting: Prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness, pregnant women suffering from morning sickness, postoperative nausea and vomiting the powdered ginger may be more effective as anti-emetic compared with dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), and it affects directly the G.I.T. in contrast to antihistamines, which act centrally. 2. Powdered ginger is used in the treatment of colds and flu. 3. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent in the treatment of migraine headache and rhumatic and muscular disorders.  Ginger Contraindications; Ginger affects bleeding time i.e. it prolongs coagulation time and so contraindicated with anticoagulant drugs and anti-platelet aggregation drugs as Aspirin. Special chemical test: Test for volatile oil; powder with Sudan III gives orange red oil globules. Test for starch; powder with dilute iodine solution gives blue colour.  Ginger Curcuma 􀂉 Syn.: Rhizoma Zingiberis Turmeric Origin: Dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale, Dried rhizome of Curcuma Fam. Zingeberaceae deprived of its domestica & Curcuma longa, roots & outer dark tissues & known Fam. Zingeberaceae as unbleached **** Jamaica Ginger. N.B.: 􀂉 Fingers bearing buds (hand like 􀂉 Steamed, & Boiled rhizome. structure). 􀂉 Monocot. 􀂉 Limed ginger. 􀂉 Monocot.  Ginger Curcuma A.C. 􀂉 Volatile oil (zingeberine). 􀂉 Volatile oil (zingeberine). 􀂉 Gingerol; a yellowish oily 􀂉 Curcuminoids: coloring body, which is odourless but has matter, The chief one of them is intensely Pungent, phenolic taste Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) (pungency can be destroyed by crystalline yellow substance; 2% solution of potassium colors saliva yellow. hydroxide. Remember 􀂉 Starch, often gelatinized. pungency of capsicum. 􀂉 Resin. 􀂉 Starch (scitaminaceous). 􀂉 Resin. 􀂉 Mucilage!!!!!!!!!.  Ginger Curcuma Uses: 1. Nausea and vomiting: Prophylaxis 1. Aromatic stomachic and of nausea and vomiting associated diuretic. with motion sickness, pregnant 2. treatment of Jaundice women suffering from morning and hepatitis due to the sickness, postoperative nausea and antihepatotoxic action vomiting the powdered ginger may of curcuminoids. be more effective as anti-emetic 3. Large quantities of compared with dimenhydrinate Turmeric are used in the (Dramamine), and it affects directly preparation of curries and the G.I.T. in contrast to sauces. antihistamines, which act centrally. 4. Cholerteic*******. 2. Powdered ginger is used in the 5. Coloring agent. treatment of colds and flu. 3. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent in the treatment of migraine headache and rhumatic and muscular disorders.  Ginger Curcuma Chemical tests Test for V.O Test for curcuminoids: 1.Mix powder with a mixture of ether & CHCl3; put a drop on a filter paper, a yellow color is produced. it will turn orange red upon addition of boric acid. It will turn bluish black, If treated with NH3.  Rhizoma Valeriana 􀂉 Syn.: Valerian. 􀂉 Origin: Dried rhizome & roots of Valeriana officinalis, Family Valerianaceae, collected in autumn &dried. 􀂉 A.C.: 1. Volatile oil (bornyl iso-valerianate, bornyl acetate and bornyl formate), alcohols, terpenes and sesquiterpenes.**********. 2. The root contains alkaloids which are chatinine and valerine. 3. Mucilage and resin. 􀂄 Uses: 1. Valerian is most commonly used for sleep disorders, especially the inability to sleep (insomnia). 2. Some people use valerian for depression, mild tremors, epilepsy, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 3. Different Valerian preparations have long been used in treatment of different gastrointestinal disorders, such as diarrhea, colic and irritable bowel syndrome. 4. Calmative in hysteria and other nervous disorders, it is often prescribed with bromides or other sedatives. 5. It has mild diuretic effect, useful for menopausal hot-flushes and insomnia. 6. Sedative for stress and palpitations of heart rate.  Garlic 􀂉 Origin: Freshly dried bulbs of Allium sativum, Family Liliaceae. 􀂉 A.C.: 1. Volatile oil (17 sulphur compounds). 2. Minerals (Se, I2, Zn), Vitamins (A, B, C) & enzyme (glutathione)  􀂄 A.C & Uses: I. Adenosine: It is a type of nucleic acid which is considered as primary blocker of blood platelets. II. Sulpher compounds as: Allicin, Allixin and ajoene. a. Allicin: it is a sulphur compound which is effective antibiotic substance. b. Allixin: is anti-stress compound. c. Ajoene: which prevents blood clots, works against fungi and cancer. It prevents stomach cancer. III. Pectins: which lowers cholesterol production, used to control diarrhoea and recently used as an agent to lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. 􀂄 A.C & Uses: S-allyl-cysteine: it is another sulphur compound which reduces blood cholesterol (LDL= low density lipoprotein) and also used in treatment of ateriosclerosis because it lowers plasma triglycerides. Diallyl trisulphide: helps liver to perform its many functions better. Also it is useful in treatment of human cryptococcal meningitis, it has remarkable antifungal and antibacterial strength. 􀂄 A.C & Uses: Garlic has over 100 known sulphur compounds, many of these individual sulphur compounds help to: a) Reduce blood pressure, blood sugar. b) Relieve asthma and bronchitis. c) Treatment of common cold and Influenza, Burns, Arthritis and lumbago. d) Garlic is the only antibiotic that can kill infecting bacteria and at the same time protect the body from the poisons that are causing the infection. Garlic is reported to be as effective as penicillin and showed a similar activity to chloramphenicol. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is sensitive to several of the sulphur components found in garlic. II. Drugs containing glycosides A. Anthraquinone e.g. Rhubarb. B. Cardiac e.g. Squill. C. Bitter e.g Gentian.  Rhizoma Rhei (Rhubarb) Syn.: Rhubarb, Chinese Rhubarb. 􀂉 Origin: Peeled dried rhizome & big roots of Rheum palmatum, Rheum officinale deprived of most of the bark except Rheum rhaponticum, Family Polygonaceae. 􀂉 Presence of holes??? 􀂉 Remember anomolous structure!!!!!!!!  Ca. ox. Clusters Starch: simple and compound 2-5 Reticulate Non lignified components mostly are rounded (if Xylem vessels simple) and muller-shaped (if compound), showing a radiate or split hilum N. B.: There is no cork and no sclerenchymatous fibres or cells because of deep peeling of the drug during its preparation.  Rhizoma Rhei (cont’d.) 􀂄 A.C.: 1. Anthraquinone : a) Anthraquinones without carboxyl group e.g. chrysophanol, aloe-emedin, emodin and physcion (free anthraquinones) and their glycosides e.g. chrysophanein and glucoaloe-emodin. c) Anthraquinones with carboxyl groups e.g. rhein and its glycoside gluco-rhein. d) Anthrone or dianthrones of chrysophanol or emodin or aloe-emodin, sennosides A and B (dianthrone glucosides of rhein) and the oxalates of these (sennosides E and F). e) Heterodianthrones derived from two different anthrone molecules e.g. palmidin A from aloe-emodin anthrone and emodin anthrone 2. Tannins. such as glucogallin, free gallic acid, epicatechin gallate and catechin. Starch and calcium oxalate. Uses: 1. Bitter stomachic in small doses. 2. Purgative in large doses followed by constipation, due to presence of tannoid constituents. Chemical tests: 1. Micro-sublimation test: yellow needle sublimate which dissolves in KOH gives red color. 2. Borntrager’s test: Boil powder with alc. KOH, filter, boil then with HCL, shake with ether, separate the ether layer, then add NH3, rose red color in aqueous layer.  Rhizoma Rhei (cont’d.) 􀂄 Test for Identity: 1. Extract powder with alcohol, then examine one spot on filter paper under UV, a distinct blue fluorescence (indicate rhapontic rhubarb). 2. On a slide, add 3 drops of 10% freshly prepared furfural in alcohol & 3 drops of conc. H2SO4 , sprinkle the powder, examine under microscope, bluish violet color s produced (indicate rhapontic rhubarb).  B- Cardiac Glycosides SQUILL. Bulb Scilla 􀂉 Syn.: Squill. 􀂉 Origin: Dried sliced bulbs of Urginea martima known as white squill, Family Liliaceae.  SQUILL. A.C.: 1.Cardiac glycosides (bufadienolides), Scillarin******. Glucoscillaren-A (primary glycoside). Removal of one glucose unit gives a secondary glycoside scillaren A, which is a secondary glycoside present also in squill. Removal of one glucose residue from scillaren A gives Proscillaridin A. Removal of all the sugars yields the aglycone Scillaridin A (or scillarenin). Squill also contains an amorphous mixture of glycosides called scillaren B. is freely soluble in water and alcohol. 2. Flavonoids. 3. Mucilage (callose). 4. Sinsitrin (carbohydrates similar to inulin). 5. Irritant resin  SQUILL. 􀂉 Chemical tests: 1. Test for mucilage: Corallin soda**********. 2. Test for cardiac glycosides: a. Liebermann test for the steroidal part: Drop of conc. H2SO4 added to the glycoside in glacial acetic acid red color violet blue green color. b. Keller-kiliani test for 2-deoxy sugars: Glycoside dissolved in glacial acetic acid + FeCl3 soln + H2SO4 (contain the same amount of FeCl3) added by pipette at the bottom of the soln. blue color is formed between the two layers in 2-5 mins., spreading into the acetic acid layer. c. Baljet test: for cardiac glycosides. Small volume of the glycoside + Baljet reagent (1% aq. soln of picric + 10% NaOH 1:1) orange/red color.  SQUILL. Side effects:  In poisonous doses, Squill produces violent inflammation of the gastro-intestinal and genitourinary tracts causing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pains, convulsions, a marked fall in temperature, weak circulation and sometimes death.  Intense irritation, if a piece of fresh squill is rubbed on the skin  USES: Despite serious safety concerns, squill used as Cardiotonic, (slowing and strengthening the pulse), treat irregular heartbeats, mild heart failure and other heart-related issues. The bulb contains glucosamides, aiding the stimulation of the heart. Squill is used for lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, asthma with bronchitis, and whooping cough. Squill used as diuretic to relieve fluid retention (edema). 􀂉 N.B.: Squill is hygroscopic (WHY???)  RED SQUILL Botanical origin: It is a variety of Urginea maritima. Its colour is red due to the presence of a red anthocyanin dissolved in the cell sap of the mesophyll. Active Constituents: Glycoside scilliroside. Uses: 1. Red squill closely resembles digitalis in increasing the vigour and diminishing the frequency of cardiac action. 2. Powerful expectorant used in chronic bronchitis and cough. 3. In large doses it produces emesis. 4. The two varieties of squill are said to be equally active; but the glycoside scilliroside present in the red variety is very much more toxic to rats than scillaren-A. So, Red squill is therefore widely used as poison for rats. FILIX-MAS RHIZOME ‫ريزومة السرخس الذكر‬ Filix Mas or Male Fern is the carefully dried rhizome, frond bases and apical buds of Dryopteris Filix Mas (Schott), Family: Polypodiaceae. ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS: It contains a yellow amorphous oleo-resin consisting of a mixture of ether-soluble phloroglucinol derivatives. These acidic, phenolic derivatives are known together as “filicin” or “crude filicic acid”. The main components are: Filmarone, filicic acid (its lactone is filicin), Flavaspidic acid, flavaspidinol, aspidinol, Filicitannic acid. Fixed oil, starch and resin. USES: Studies also show that male fern root’s oleo-resins cause harmful organisms in the intestines to become immobile, preventing them from attaching themselves to the interior lining of human intestinal walls. In both human and animal case studies, male fern root was shown to have a dramatic effect on eliminating harmful organisms both inside and outside of the GIT. It is used as a powerfull vermifuge, it can kills and expells the tap worms, this action is due to the presence of filmarone. It was proved that flavaspidic acid is the most potent substance and used as taenicide. Some veterinarians use male fern to treat worms in animals.  NB: Its use requires care because large doses are irritant poison and resulted in blindness. Male fern also used to treat nose bleeds, heavy menstrual bleeding, wounds, and tumors. Male fern root is also rich in antioxidants, folic acid, phloroglucinol derivatives, and several other necessary trace essential oils which promote overall digestive health. How does it work? Male fern contains chemicals that can kill intestinal worms such as tapeworms. Once the worms have been killed, salt water (saline) is taken to flush them from the body.  HYDRASTIS (GOLDEN SEAL or Yellow RHIZOME) ‫ريزومة‬ ‫الهيدراستيس‬ Hydrastis consists of the dried rhizome and roots of Hydrastis canadensis Linn., Family Berberidaceae  Active constituents: It contains the alkaloids: hydrastine, berberine and canadine. Berberine is the major alkaloid in yellow root with the minor alkaloids jatrorhizine and mognoflorine also having been identified. In addition, 2 cytotoxic isoquinoline alkaloids, liriodenine and palmatine have been isolated in a later report. Puntarenine, an isohomoprotoberberine alkaloid has recently been isolated as well. Berberine content in yellow root ranges between 1.2% to 1.3%. It contains also starch, resins and traces of volatile oil.  USES Berberine-containing plants have been used for thousands of years in China and India, mostly for treatment of diarrhea. Berberine is reportedly effective against diarrhea caused by such enterotoxins as Vibrio cholerae and E. coli The powdered rootstock is considered a general tonic for the mucous membranes, It can be applied as a snuff or an antiseptic dust, in washes and infusions, or in capsule form. In combination with other herbs, goldenseal has been to treat ulcers, sinus conditions, dyspepsia, worms, bowel irregularity, gonorrhea, prostate and vaginal infections, and morning sickness among other problems.  Cont. USES Locally in treatment of catarrhal conditions of the gentio-urinary tract. To control uterine haemorrhage. Yellow root has been used as a source for yellow dye. NB: However, goldenseal should be taken only in small and infrequent doses... no more than one half to one gram, and not more than three times daily. The ingestion of large quantities can overstimulate the nervous system and produce convulsions, miscarriage, and the excessive buildup of white corpuscles in the blood. PODOPHYLLUM RHIZOME ‫اللقاح الدرقى‬ It consists of the dried rhizome and roots of Podophyllum peltatum Linn., Family Berberidaceae. It’s known in commerce as American Podophyllum or Podophyllum. G. sources: USA and Canada. The plant is dug in autumn, washed, freed from soil, cut into lengths about 10 cm and carefully dried. The adventitious roots must be removed. ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS: It contains about 2-6% of neutral resin which is known as podophyllin,The crude resin contains: Podophyllotoxin which is crystalline purgative resin. Podophylloresin which is amorphous resin and gives bright green colour with copper acetate. About 0.33% α-peltatin and about 0.25% β- peltatin, all of these occur both free and as glucosides. Flavonoids: Quercetin (a yellow crystalline flavonol). Starch. USES: Podophyllum resin has long been used as purgative. In treatment of constipation due to hepatic disorders. A paint of podophyllotoxin is used in the treatment of soft venereal and other warts due to its cytotoxic effect. It exhibited anticancer properties and has value in brain tumours in children and lymphatic leukaemia.  INDIAN PODOPHYLLUM RHIZOME It consists of the dried rhizome and roots of Podophyllum hexandrum or Podophyllum emodi, Family Berberidaceae. G. sources: It is perrenial herb found in Tibet and Afghanista. ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS: The same as American drug but the resin about 6-12% i.e. double the amount of resin in the American Podophyllum and the amount of podophyllotoxin in the resin is much higher and it reaches about 40%. Peltatins are present in smaller amount. Uses: The same as the American type. The resin is twice active than that of American drug.