Phytotherapy and Chemistry of Natural Products

Vocabulary-style flashcards based on lecture notes covering botanical classifications, active chemical ingredients, and therapeutic uses of various plants.

Monocotyledons

A group of angiosperms characterized by seeds containing a single cotyledon and having fibrous roots.

Dicotyledons

A group of angiosperms characterized by seeds containing two cotyledons and having tap roots.

Archichlamydeae

A subclass within Engler's classification of the Dicotyledons.

Salicaceae

The plant family containing the genus Salix, known for producing phenolic glycosides.

Salix purpurea

The scientific name for the Willow, called 'purpurea' because its stem is purple.

Salicin

A phenolic glycoside found in willow that undergoes hydrolysis to yield salicyl alcohol and a sugar part.

Salicyl alcohol

A compound derived from salicin that can undergo oxidation to produce salicylic acid.

Salicylic acid

A substance used as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic drug, originally derived from willow compounds.

Acetylsalicylic acid

The chemical name for Aspirin, created as a modification of salicylic acid to be more effective.

Cannabinaceae

The family containing the plant Cannabis sativa.

Cannabis sativa

The scientific name for hemp or cannabis; the full name is Cannabis sativa var. indica.

THC

Tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient found in marijuana and hashish.

Marijuana

A part of the plant Cannabis sativa consisting of leaves, flowers, and resin.

Hashish

The pure resin extract of the Cannabis sativa plant, which contains higher concentrations of THC than other parts.

Viscum album

A parasitic evergreen shrub from the genus Viscum used in the treatment of cancer.

Myristicaceae

The family of Myristica fragrans, also known as nutmeg.

Myristica fragrans

A plant containing volatile oil and hallucinogenic substances, commonly known as nutmeg.

Fixed oil

A type of oil that does not evaporate and leaves a mark if dropped on paper or clothing.

Volatile oil

Substances such as perfumes that evaporate and do not leave a persistent mark.

Illicium verum

The scientific name for star anise, characterized by its star-shaped fruit.

Guttiferales

An order of plants containing the families Theaceae and Hypericaceae.

Theaceae

The family containing Camellia sinensis, the tea plant.

Camellia sinensis

The plant species used to produce tea, containing alkaloids like caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline.

Saponins

Complex chemical structures that can be tri-terpenoidal or steroidal types, which differ chemically from soap.

Soap

A substance consisting of triglycerides, which are glycerol with three fatty acids.

Hypericum perforatum

A plant known as St. John's wort used for treating mild depression.

Papaveraceae

A family rich in alkaloids, including the species Papaver somniferum.

Papaver somniferum

The scientific name for the white poppy or opium poppy used to produce latex.

Latex

The milky substance collected by scoring the capsule of the poppy plant, eventually yielding opium.

Opium

The air-dried latex of Papaver somniferum, containing a mixture of up to 50 compounds including morphine.

Morphine

An analgesic compound derived from opium that has the side effect of addiction.

Heroin

A semi-synthetic material produced by scientists to modify morphine for increased effectiveness, despite higher addiction levels.

Brassica nigra

The scientific name for black mustard, belonging to the family Cruciferae (Brassicaceae).

Hamamelidaceae

A family containing Hamamelis virginiana, high in tannins and phenolic acids.

Hamamelis virginiana

Commonly known as witch hazel, used in preparations for hemorrhoids.

Rosaceae

A family that contains cyanogenetic glycosides, saponins, and tannins, including plants like almond and hawthorn.

Crataegus oxycanthoides

Commonly known as hawthorn, used as a cardiotonic to support heart health and reduce cholesterol.

Erythroxylaceae

The family containing Erythroxylum coca, characterized by a reddish stem ('erythro' means red).

Erythroxylum coca

The plant source of cocaine, which is used as a local anesthetic for ear, nose, and throat procedures.

Hippocastanaceae

The family of the horse chestnut, used for treating ischemia and varicose veins in the legs.

Ilex paraguariensis

The scientific name for Mate, also known as Paraguay tea, which contains caffeine.

Catha edulis

The scientific name for Khat, a plant containing alkaloids that can cause mouth or tongue cancer.

Vitis vinifera

The scientific name for grapes; red grape seeds contain antioxidants like flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids.

Sterculiaceae

The family containing Cola acuminate (cola nuts) and Theobroma cacao.

Theobroma cacao

The plant used to prepare chocolate and oil of theobroma.

Lawsonia inermis

The scientific name for Henna, used for fungal problems in the head and feet.

Lawsone

The specific naphthoquinone compound found in the leaves of the henna plant.

Carica papaya

The plant known as papaw, cultivated for its milky juice which contains the enzyme papain.

Papain

A proteolytic enzyme derived from Carica papaya used to treat digestion problems.

Panax ginseng

A plant containing terpenoid saponins used for memory loss, concentration, and sexual dysfunction.

Umbelliferae

The family (also known as Apiaceae) containing fennel, aniseed, and caraway, named for its umbrella-like flowers.

Foeniculum vulgare

The scientific name for fennel, which possesses carminative and estrogenic properties.

Anethole

An antimicrobial and antifungal compound found in fennel seeds.

Conium maculatum

The scientific name for spotted hemlock, which contains alkaloids.

Labiatae

The family (also known as Lamiaceae) characterized by flowers shaped like two lips.

Melissa officinalis

A plant known as Melissa that is beneficial for memory.

Thymus vulgaris

The scientific name for thyme, which is used to treat coughs.

Solanaceae

A plant family where $99\%$ of species contain alkaloids, including tobacco, potato, and tomato.

Capsaicin

The material responsible for the 'heat' or pungency in Capsicum species (peppers).

Vicks VapoRub

A vaporizing ointment containing Menthol $2.82\%\,w/w$, Camphor $5.26\%\,w/w$, and Eucalyptus Oil $1.33\%\,w/w$.