Natural Products and GI Pharmacology Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering natural gastrointestinal products, pharmacological mechanisms, scientific names, and clinical considerations from the lecture notes.

Tannins

Chemical compounds used medicinally for wound healing, as antioxidants, and as astringent agents, which can cause constipation by decreasing intestinal secretion and motility.

Iron Absorption

A nutritional process that can be significantly reduced by the intake of tannins.

Ruscus aculeatus

Commonly known as Butcher's Broom, its medicinal part is the dried rhizome containing active substances collectively termed Ruscoenins.

Hamamelis virginiana

Commonly known as Witch Hazel, used for its tannin content.

Aesculus hippocastanum

Commonly known as Horse Chestnut, used specifically for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency.

Liver

The organ primarily affected by potential toxicological stress under prolonged high intake of tannins.

Karaya gum

A complex polysaccharide derived from the Sterculia urens tree containing galacturonic acid, requiring adequate hydration to prevent intestinal or oesophageal obstruction.

Frangula bark

A botanical source of anthraquinones used as a laxative, which can cause Melanosis coli with long-term use.

Hypokalaemia

A potential risk of low potassium when combining Frangula use with diuretics, which can also potentiate the effect of Digoxin.

Cascara Sagrada

The common name for Frangula purshiana, which means "sacred bark" in Spanish.

Linum usitatissimum

The scientific name for Linseed (Flaxseed), containing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and lignans with phytoestrogen activity.

Pectin

A soluble fiber found in apples and citrus fruits that lowers cholesterol by binding bile acids and acts as a prebiotic.

Marshmallow root

A botanical containing mucilage that acts as a demulcent by forming a protective gel/physical barrier on the gastric mucosa.

Psyllium

A bulk-forming laxative that must be taken with plenty of fluids to be effective.

Castor Oil

An oil extracted from Ricinus communis L. containing $85-95\%$ ricinoleic acid, which acts as a laxative in the intestine.

Castor Oil Dose

The typical adult dose as a laxative is $15-60\,ml$.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and TNF-alpha

Inflammatory mediators inhibited by castor oil as part of its anti-inflammatory mechanism.

Ginger

A root used for mild nausea (including pregnancy) and digestive discomfort, traditionally recommended for adults and children above 6 years.

Probiotics

Living microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed.

Prebiotics

Non-digestible fibers from whole foods that support diverse microbiota.

Synbiotics

Products correctly classified as a combination of a Probiotic and a Prebiotic.

Immune suppressant drugs

A class of medication that represents the most serious drug interaction concern when used with probiotics.

Ispaghula husk

A natural soluble fiber/bulk-forming laxative derived from Plantago ovata seeds used for chronic constipation.

Senna

A stimulant laxative that is not recommended for chronic daily use unless medically supervised.

Curcumin

A lipophilic compound found in Turmeric that inhibits $NF-kB$ and the $COX-2$ enzyme to exert anti-inflammatory effects.

Piperine

A compound found in black pepper that can increase the absorption of curcumin by up to $2,000\%$. (20 times).

Glycyrrhizin

The main active compound in Licorice root responsible for its demulcent and anti-inflammatory effects, which can increase blood pressure in high doses.

Malva sylvestris

Also known as Common Mallow from the Malvaceae family, it uses mucilage to form a protective layer on the esophagus and stomach.

Epsom Salt

The chemical Magnesium sulfate ($MgSO_4$), which creates an osmotic gradient to relieve constipation typically within 30 minutes to 6 hours.

Milk Thistle

A plant containing active components Silybin, Silychristin, and Silydianin used for digestive disorders and indigestion.

Dandelion

A plant in the Asteraceae family used traditionally to increase appetite and urine output, contraindicated in bile duct obstruction.

Caraway Seeds

Seeds containing carvone and limonene from the Apiaceae family, providing carminative and antispasmodic effects in the GI tract.

Fennel Seeds

Seeds containing trans-anethole and estragole, which have phytoestrogenic effects and should be avoided by patients on HRT.

Valeriana

A root used to relieve mild nervous tension and improve sleep quality by reducing sleep latency.

Lactulose

An osmotic laxative that increases osmotic pressure in the colon to treat constipation and decreases ammonia absorption in the gut.