PHARMACOGNOSTIC STUDY OF CRUDE DRUGS CONTAINING
AJAY
M.Pharm A.U College of pharmaceutical sciences
CONTENTS :
Definition of Anthraquinone Glycosides. Different Anthracene moieties . Mechanism of action . Crude drugs Commercial products Conclusion.
DEFINITION:
Anthracene glycosides are the organic compounds from plants or animal sources which on enzymatic or acid hydrolysis gives one or more glycones (sugar moieties) along with aglycone.
Chemically these are the ACETALS or SUGAR ETHERS formed by the interaction of OH group each of anthraquinone moiety and sugar ,with a loss of water molecule.
Anthracene (Anthraquinone) Glycosides
O
tautomerization
OH
Oxidation Reduction
H Anthranol
OH
Anthrone
Oxanthrone
Reduction
O
8 9 10 5 4 1
Oxidation
O Anthraquinone
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
OH
HO O
CH 3
CH 2OH
CH 3
COO H O
Emodin
Aloe-emodin
Chrysophanol
Rhein
MECHANISM OF ACTION:
Anthracenosides are PURGATIVE because of their irritating action on large intestine. They stimulate the muscular structure i.e.., smooth muscles of large intestine through which peristalitic and large intestinal movements gets accelerated results in evacuation of intestinal contents. Simultaneously the mucus secretion is stimulated and water absorption is hindered and soft stools will be formed. Action starts after 8-12 hrs. Activity is due to anthranols ,anthrones and dianthrones.
CRUDE DRUGS CONTAINING ANTHRAQUINONE GLYCOSIDES Senna Senna pods Aloes Rhubarb Cascara
SENNA:
INDIAN SENNA:
(senna folium ,senna-ki-patti, tinnevelly senna ,cassia senna.) BIOLOGICAL SOURCE :It is obtained from dried leaflets of Cassia angustifolia Vahl belongs to family LEGUMINOSAE. CULTIVATION AND COLLECTION OF INDIAN SENNA: Soil-RED loamy/coarse gravelly soil. 1st sowing - feb-march. 2nd sowing - oct-november. 1st harvesting when leafs turn to thick ,fully grown and greenish. 2nd harvesting- after 4-6 weeks of 1st harvesting. 3rd harvesting- after 2weeks of 2nd harvesting. Heavy irrigation and water logging are avoided.
ALEXANDRIAN SENNA
(folia sennae alexandrinae,) Bological source :It is obtained from dried leaflets of Cassia acutifolia Delile belong Family LEGUMINOSAE.
MACROSCOPIC CHARACTERS: INDIAN SENNA
YELLOWISH-GREEN 7-8mm width and25 -60mm length Lanceolate,Asymetrical leaflets.
ALEXANDRIAN SENNA
PALE-GREYISH GREEN. 2-4cm long and 7-12mm wide. Ovate- lanceolate, margin is curved and Asymmetrical base.
Microscopic of senna characters
Epidermis : unicelllular ,conical, thick walled warty trichomes. stomata: paracytic or rubiaceous. Palisade tisssue on both sides (iso bilateral leaf lets). Calcium oxalate crystals are present. Spongy mesophyll, patch of sclerenchyma, cluster sheath and presence of collenchyma are the characteristics of senna. Indian senna Alexandrian senna Vein-islet no 19.5 - 22.5 25 - 29.5
Stomatal index Palisade ratio 17 20 7.5(u) 5.1(L) 11.4 13.3 9.5(u) 7(L)
ADULTERANTS:
Tinnevelly senna and alexandrian senna are adulterated with DOG SENNA (papillose cells in lower epidermis) PALTHE SENNA (No Anthraquinone glycosides) MECCA and ARABIANSENNA (brown-green colour ,elongated)
SENNA PODS :
(senna legumes ,sennae fructus, senna fruit.) Biological source : Dried nearly ripe fruits of Cassia acutifolia Delile and Cassia angustifolia Vahl belongs to leguminosae.
Collection and preparation:
Pods are collected and dried . By sifting separate pods manually segregated into different qualities Inferior quality used for preparation of galenicals.
Macroscopic characters:
Pale green-brown colour,4-5cm long 2-2.5cm width. Pods are flat ,thin and oblong shape.
Commercial products :
ALOES:
(ALOE,MUSSABBAR,KUMARI.)
Biological source:
Dried juice of leaves of Aloe barbadensis Miller (curacao aloes), Aloe perryi Baker (socotrine aloes), Aloe ferox Miller, Aloe africana Miller and Aloe spicata Baker (cape aloes) belonging to family Liliaceae.
Cultivation and collection:
Cultivated by root suckers. No water logging. Juice is collected by a cut at leaf base.
Preparation of Aloes:
Curacao aloes: Place the leaves in kerosene tins and kept in tilted position to drain out all the juice and boil on large copper pans and pour in metal containers. Cape Aloes :They are placed in ground in basin shaped depression which is lined by goat skin /canvas for 5-6 hrs. Socotrine and Zanzibar Aloes: juice is collected in goat skin and solidify.
MACROSCOPIC CHARACTERS:
CURACAO
CAPE
SOCOTRINE
ZANZIBAR
SRONG ODOUR NAUSEOUS BROWNISH-BLACK BROWNISH-GREEN OPAQUE MASS MASSES BITTER TASTE BITTER TASTE UNEVEN FRACTURED GLASSY FRACTURED
NAuSEOUS BROWNISH-YELLLOW LIVER BROWN OPAQUE PASTY MASS BITTER TASTE CONCHOIDAL EVEN FRACTURED
MICROSCOPIC CHARACTERS In leaf cuticle, epidermis, palisade, tissue, parenchymatous
mesophyll.
(mucilagenous ) . Mesophyll encloses vascular bundles which are covered with peri-cyclic layer. Aloeitic cells contains Aloe gel. Calcium oxalate crystals in parenchyma. Aloepowder: In lactophenol reagent.
CURACAO
Small needles or slender prisms Crystalline
CAPE
transparent,brown angular/irregular fragments amorphous
SACOTRINE
large prism groups/ dispersed
---- -
ZANZIBAR
IRREGULAR LUMPS
--- --
Substituents & Adulterants
Socotrine, zanzibar, Natal aloes ,Mocha aloes with BLACK CATECHU. Natal: Dry extract of aloe candelabra for cape aloes. Mocha: Brownish black glossy fragments interior varieties. Curacao aloes with BLACK CATECHU ,IRON,STONES.
COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS:
RHUBARB:
(Radix rheum , Revandchini , Rheum )
Biological source :Dried rhizomes of Rheum emodi Wallich,
Rheum palmatum Linn ,Rheum webbianum Royle of family polygonaceae.
Collection and preparation:
Drug obtained from wild plants which are draught resistant . Propagated by seeds ,rhizomes. Harvested in spring season and the rhizomes are collected and cleaned & de-corticated ,dried and packed in wooden boxes.
Macroscopy:
In market we will find round or flat shape rhizomes. Barrel /cylindrical/ conical shape rhizomes which are 8-10 cm long,4cm thick. Flat shape rhizomes are 7-10cm long,3-6cm thick. Sharp odour and bitter taste. Drug with pink colour fracture are of high quality in nature.
Microscopy:
In abnormal vascular bundles medullary rays are star shaped. Star spots are in reddish orange. Rosette calcium oxlate crystals starch grains are also seen. In rheum officianalis star spots are irregular and in R.palmatum as a continous ring. Rhaspartic rhubarb contains rhaponticin and lacks rhein, emodin or aloe emodin. It has estrogenic activity and shows blue flouroscence UV LIGHT.
COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS:
CASCARA:
(Cascara segrada ,Sacred bark,Chittem bark,Cortex Rhamnipurshianae)
Biological source: Dried bark of Rhamnus
purshiana De candolle of family Rhamnaceae.
Collection: it is collected in between aprilaugust when it is readily separates from wood. By longitudinal incission of 5-10cm.
MACROSCOPY:
Externally purplish brown an internally reddish brown. Nauseous odour, bitter taste . 1-4mm thick in size. Broken pieces small and flat occurs as quills/channels. Internally longitudinal striations.
R.Emodi , R.webianum
R.officinale , R.palmatum
MICROSCOPY:
Contains cortex , sclerides , primary & secondary phloem Cork has several layers of cells with yellowish brown substance. Cortex with collenchyma. Parenchyma is cellulosoic. Calcium oxalate crystals are present. Phloem fibres, sieve tubes are present. R.fallax and frangula bark are substituted for cascara. Former bark has more uniform coat of lichens and wide medullary rays than original species.
Substituents and adulterants: Barks of R. californica ,
COMMECIAL PRODUCTS :
DRUG SENNA
CHEMICALCONSTITUENTS SENNOSIDES A SENNOSIDES B SENNOSIDES C SENNOSIDES D 2.5-4.5% SENNOSIDE A&B , SENIDIN, 8,8Di-GLUCOSIDE BARBALOIN , ISOBARBALOIN , ALOESONE , ALOETIC ACID
CHEMICAL TEST BORNTRAGERS TEST
USES PURGATIVE, COUNTERACTG RIPPING EFFECT PURGATIVE,
SENNA PODS
BORNTRAGERS TEST
ALOES
BROMINE WATER TEST, BORAX TEST(SCHOENTENS TEST), MODIFIED BORNTRAGERS TEST.
PURGATIVE, COMPONENT IN COMPOUND BENZOIN TINCTURE, ANTIINFLAMMATORY, IN PAINS & ITCHING, ULCERS. BITTER STOMACHIC , IN DIARRHOEA AND PURGATIVE BITTER TONIC, STOMACHICH, EMETIC, PURGAIVE
RHUBARB
PALMIDIN-A,B,C
BORNTRAGERS TEST & SAMPLE +ALKALI-------RED MODIFIED BORNTRAGERS TEST & SAMPLE+5%KOH------RED
CASCARA
CASCAROSIDE A,B,C
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Gl 7 6 5 H H COOH O 8 O 9 10 OH 1 4 2 3 COOH
OH
OH
Gl
OH
Gl
OH
CH2 OH Gl H Gl
CH2 OH
Barbaloin
Cascaroside A& B
O
Sennosides A&B
Gl 7 6 5 H H COOH O 8 O 9 10
OH
OH 1 4 2 3 CH2 OH
OH
Gl
OH
CH3 Gl
CH3 Gl
Chrysaloin
Cascaroside C & D
Gl
OH
Sennosides C&D
REFERANCES:
PHARMACOGNOSY BY C.K.KOKATE,A.P.PUROHIT,S.B.GOKHA LE. PHARMACOGNOSY BY W.C. EVANS
