Botanical Medicine and Phytochemicals

Comprehensive flashcards covering plant constituents, chemical classes, botanical actions, and individual plant monographs for NPLEX preparation.

Phytochemicals

Chemical compounds produced by plants, synonymous with plant constituents, that generally have biological activity associated with a plant's herbal actions.

Inulin

A carbohydrate mainly composed of fructose units and a terminal glucose molecule containing beta-glycosidic linkages; found in Arctium lappa and Echinacea spp.

Mycopolysaccharides

Indigestible beta-D-glucans that make up the cell walls of fungi, such as Ganoderma lucidum, with immune-modulating and anti-carcinogenic effects.

Mucopolysaccharides (Proteoglycans)

A type of glycoprotein made of large, repeating disaccharide units with amino sugars and sulfate groups that occur naturally in connective tissue.

Glycosides

Phytochemicals consisting of a sugar unit attached to a non-carbohydrate molecule called the aglycone, making them more bioavailable.

Cardiac Glycosides

Compounds that improve heart muscle efficiency without increasing oxygen need by exerting positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effects via inhibition of $Na^+/K^+-ATPase$ pumps.

Cyanogenic Glycosides

Natural plant toxins, found in Linum usitatissimum and Prunus serotina, that form cyanide following hydrolysis during consumption or processing.

Alkaloids

Diverse nitrogen-bearing molecules that can be toxic upon accumulation; signs of toxicity include mydriasis, delirium, and heart palpitations.

Tropane Alkaloids

Bicyclic alkaloids with a boat structure that act as anticholinergics and antispasmodics; includes atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine.

Piperidine Alkaloids

Chemical compounds derived from a 6-membered saturated nitrogen ring; example includes lobeline from Lobelia inflata used for smoking cessation.

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PA)

Hepatotoxic heterocyclic organic compounds produced as insect defense; unsaturated necine bases can cause hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) when metabolized via the cytochrome $P450$ system.

Indoles

Bicyclic aromatic compounds derived from tryptophan; constituents include reserpine, vincristine, and yohimbine.

Purines

Heterocyclic aromatic compounds containing 4 nitrogen molecules, such as caffeine and theobromine, which act as stimulants and diuretics.

Protoalkaloids

Compounds derived from phenylalanine or tyrosine where the nitrogen molecule is not in a ring; an example is Ephedra sinica.

Mucilage

Polysaccharides that swell in water to produce a gel-like mass used to soothe and protect irritated tissues as demulcents.

Salicylates

Simple phenolics like salicylic acid used for analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions; they possess no anti-platelet activity unlike aspirin.

Saponins

Phytochemicals with a detergent effect that form a lather with water; types include steroidal (hormone-like structure) and triterpenoid (expectorant effect).

Monoterpenes

The smallest and most fragrant terpenes; aromatic, oily substances that form major constituents of plant volatile (essential) oils.

Sesquiterpene Lactones

Terpene derivatives often found in the Asteraceae family; highly toxic internally but act as topically applied analgesics.

Coumarins

Bicyclic compounds containing a lactone ring with lymphatic and antispasmodic actions; dicoumarins have theoretical anticoagulant properties.

Anthraquinones

Tricyclic compounds functioning as irritating/stimulating laxatives (e.g., sennosides) that decrease bowel transit time by increasing peristalsis.

Flavonoids

Water-soluble compounds that act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories; major classes include flavonols, isoflavones, and catechins.

Tannins

Astringent polyphenolic biomolecules that precipitate proteins; types include hydrolysable (yield gallic acid) and condensed (proanthocyanins).

Adaptogen

An herbal action that enhances internal defenses against stressors and supports physiological functioning by modulating the stress response.

Alterative

An herbal action that facilitates detoxification and blood purification to restore proper tissue functioning, often used for chronic skin conditions.

Demulcent

An herbal action providing a soothing and protective effect on internal mucous membranes, typically via mucilage content.

Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)

A bitter digestive stimulant, styptic, and diaphoretic plant containing sesquiterpene lactones (thujone) and tannins.

Aconitum napellus (Monkshood)

A highly toxic plant containing diterpene alkaloids used as an anodyne and sedative for neuralgia; it slows respiration and increases sodium membrane permeability.

Actaea racemosa (Black Cohosh)

A plant used as a uterine tonic and antispasmodic for dysmenorrhea and menopausal symptoms; contains triterpene glycosides and salicylates.

Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut)

A venotonic botanical used for chronic venous insufficiency and hemorrhoids; contains the saponin aescin.

Allium sativum (Garlic)

A botanical containing allicin with anti-atherosclerotic, hypolipidemic, and antimicrobial properties; it may potentiate anti-coagulants and insulin.

Atropa belladonna

A plant containing tropane alkaloids (atropine) that blocks muscarinic Ach receptors to cause smooth muscle relaxation; used for symptomatic relief of spasms.

Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove)

A heart-acting botanical with a narrow therapeutic window used for CHF; it is both positive inotropic and negative chronotropic.

Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)

A plant containing glycyrrhizin, which decreases cortisol degradation; chronic overdose can cause pseudoaldosteronism due to hypokalemia.

Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort)

An antidepressant and antiviral botanical that can cause photosensitivity and significant drug interactions via induction of $CYP3A4$ enzymes.

Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle)

A hepatoprotective botanical containing the silymarin complex, used for hepatitis, cirrhosis, and fatty liver by promoting hepatocyte regeneration.

Valeriana officinalis

A sedative and hypnotic botanical used for insomnia; valerenic acid in the plant decreases the degradation of GABA.

Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste Tree)

A pituitary-balancing botanical that increases LH and decreases FSH to improve the progesterone to estrogen ratio; used for PMS and amenorrhea.