OIA2007 CLASSIFICATION OF CRUDE DRUGS

What are crude drugs?

Crude drugs are plant, animal, microbial, or marine sources that contain natural substances obtained through specific processes of collection and drying.

What are organized drugs?

Organized drugs are direct parts of plants or animals, have a definite cellular structure, and are defined by certain morphological characters.

Give examples of organized drugs from plant sources.

Examples include Senna, Digitalis, Nux vomica, Cinchona, Rauwolfia, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cloves, and cinnamon.

Give examples of organized drugs from animal sources.

Examples include honey from honeybees, beeswax, cod liver oil from sharks, bufalin from toads, insulin from animal pancreas, musk oil, spermaceti wax, wool fat from sheep, and snake venoms.

What are unorganized drugs?

Unorganized drugs are materials with a uniform structure, derived from plants, animals, or minerals, that are not composed of cells and are obtained through extraction processes.

How are unorganized drugs typically obtained?

They are obtained by processes such as incision, heat application, percolation, maceration, decoction, and expression.

Provide examples of unorganized drugs.

Examples include coffee (decoction), agar (expression), opium (incision), olive oil (secretion), beeswax, and myrrh.

What is the difference between organized and unorganized drugs?

Organized drugs are parts of plants or organs of animals made up of cells (e.g., flowers, seeds), while unorganized drugs are derived from parts of plants and animals through extraction processes and are non-cellular (e.g., juices, extracts).

What are the physical characteristics used to describe unorganized drugs?

Unorganized drugs are described by their physical characters like solubility in solvents, density, optical rotation, and refractive index.

What terminology is used for describing organized drugs?

Botanical or zoological terminology is used, such as xylem, phloem, fibers, trichomes, and stomata.

What type of tests are important for identifying organized drugs?

Microscopic and morphological characters are crucial for identifying organized drugs.

What are some extraction methods for obtaining unorganized drugs?

Extraction methods include decoction, incision, expression, and secretion.

What is the nature of organized drugs?

Organized drugs are solid in nature, derived from definite structures of plants or animals.

What is the nature of unorganized drugs?

Unorganized drugs can be solids, semisolids, fluids, or liquids, such as oils, gums, and balsams.

What is the role of chemical tests in pharmacognosy?

Chemical tests and physical standards are used for confirmation and identification of drugs.

What is the significance of morphological characters in organized drugs?

Morphological characters are important for the identification and classification of organized drugs.

What are the two main categories of crude drugs?

The two main categories are organized drugs and unorganized drugs.

What are some examples of extraction processes for unorganized drugs?

Examples include decoction for coffee, incision for opium, and expression for agar.

What types of substances can organized drugs include?

Organized drugs can include parts such as flowers, seeds, fruits, and glands.

What is the significance of physicochemical properties in unorganized drugs?

Physicochemical properties help in the characterization and identification of unorganized drugs.

What are the two classifications of organized drugs based on origin?

Organized drugs can be classified into those from plant origin and those from animal origin.

How do organized drugs differ in structure compared to unorganized drugs?

Organized drugs have a definite cellular structure, while unorganized drugs do not have a cellular composition.

What are the main types of classification for crude drugs?

Alphabetical classification, Taxonomical (Biological) classification, Pharmacological classification, Morphological classification, Chemotaxonomic classification, and Chemical classification.

How are crude drugs arranged in alphabetical classification?

Crude drugs are arranged in alphabetical order according to their Latin or English nomenclature, as found in pharmacopoeias and herbal literature.

Name three pharmacopoeias that use alphabetical classification.

British Pharmacopoeia (BP), United States Pharmacopoeia (USP), and Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP).

What is a disadvantage of alphabetical classification of crude drugs?

It does not identify the scientific nature of the drug or distinguish between drugs of plant, animal, and mineral sources.

What is taxonomical classification based on?

Taxonomical classification is based on taxonomical studies, arranging drugs according to their phylum, order, family, genus, and species.

Which classification is restricted mainly to crude drugs from plant sources?

Taxonomical (Biological) classification.

What are the principal plant families of pharmaceutical interest according to botanical classification?

They include Thallophytes, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms.

What are Thallophytes?

Thallophytes are plants that do not have differentiated roots, stems, or leaves, including bacteria, algae, fungi, and lichens.

What is an example of a drug classified under Angiosperms?

Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice) and Atropa belladonna.

What is the classification hierarchy for Glycyrrhiza glabra?

Phylum: Spermatophyta, Division: Angiospermae, Class: Dicotyledons, Order: Fabales, Family: Fabaceae, Genus: Glycyrrhiza, Species: Glycyrrhiza glabra.

What are the two phyla that are of relatively small pharmaceutical importance?

Bryophytes and Pteridophytes.

What is the advantage of alphabetical classification?

It is a simple system that makes it easy to locate, trace, and add crude drugs in literature.

What is the main focus of pharmacological classification?

It classifies drugs based on their pharmacological effects and uses.

What does morphological classification consider?

It considers the physical characteristics and structure of the crude drugs.

What is chemotaxonomic classification based on?

It is based on the chemical composition of the drugs.

What are the main groups in taxonomical classification?

Kingdom, subkingdom, division, class, order, family, genus, and species.

What is the significance of the Linnaeus system of classification?

It provides a standardized method for naming and classifying organisms, including plants of pharmaceutical interest.

What is the role of phytochemical interest in Bryophytes and Pteridophytes?

Despite their small pharmaceutical importance, they have some relevance due to their phytochemical properties.

What is the classification of Atropa belladonna?

Phylum: Spermatophyta, Division: Angiospermae, Class: Dicotyledons, Subclass: Sympetalae, Order: Tubiflorae, Family: Solanaceae, Genus: Atropa, Species: Atropa belladonna.

What is the significance of the Engler classification system?

Engler's classification system divides plants into phyla and indicates the phylogenetic relationships among them.

What is the primary characteristic of drugs in the taxonomical classification?

They are classified based on their botanical characteristics and phylogenetic relationships.

What is the disadvantage of taxonomical classification?

It may not be practical for all users, as it requires knowledge of botanical classification.

What are the two classes of Bryophytes?

Peat (Hepaticae and Musci) and Sphagnum.

What is peat moss primarily used for?

As a domestic fuel and in absorbent dressings.

What are the key benefits of peat moss?

It is sterile, retains moisture well, and is acidic (pH 3.5 to 6).

What are the main groups included in Pteridophytes?

Filices (ferns), Articulatae (horsetails), and Lycopsida (club mosses).

What is the significance of the sporophyte in Pteridophytes?

The sporophyte is the larger generation in the alternation of generations.

What compounds are derived from the male fern rhizome (Dryopteris filixmas)?

Soluble phloroglucinol derivatives, including Filicic Acid.

What are pterosins?

Insect molding hormones widely distributed in ferns.

What medicinal properties do 1-indanone derivatives from bracken possess?

Anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities.

What is the use of dried sterile stems of horsetail (Equisetum arvense)?

Used in herbal medicine and listed in the BHP (1996) and BP/EP.

What is a notable characteristic of horsetails?

They contain considerable amounts of silica.

What are the uses of lycopodium spores (Lycopodium clavatum)?

Used in quantitative microscopy, medicated snuffs, dusting powders, and lubricants.

What distinguishes gymnosperms from angiosperms?

Gymnosperms have ovules that are not enclosed in an ovary.

What is unique about Ginkgo biloba?

It is found only as fossils and is known as the maidenhair-tree.

What beneficial compounds are found in extracts of ginkgo leaves?

Phenolic acids, proanthocyanidins, and flavonoid glycosides.

What are the advantages of taxonomical classification?

It aids in studying evolutionary developments and allows for the study of drugs within the same family.

What are the disadvantages of taxonomical classification?

It can be unorganized, fails to recognize parts of plants used for drugs, and does not consider chemical nature or biological significance.

What is morphological classification?

Classification of crude drugs based on the parts of plants or animals from which they are obtained.

What are organized drugs classified by?

Organized drugs are classified based on their morphological characteristics such as seeds, leaves, barks, roots, rhizomes, flowers, fruits, and woods.

Name three examples of organized drugs derived from seeds.

Nux vomica, Strophanthus, and Castor.

What are the disadvantages of morphological classification of drugs?

1. Cannot explain taxonomical or phylogenetic relationships among plants. 2. Chemical nature of crude drugs is not the basis for classification. 3. Biological and pharmacological actions were not prioritized. 4. More botanical significance than therapeutic significance.

How are crude drugs grouped according to pharmacological action?

Crude drugs are grouped based on the therapeutic action of their chief active constituent or therapeutic uses, regardless of morphology, taxonomical status, or chemical relationships.

What is an example of drugs that differ in mechanism of action but have the same pharmacological effects?

Bulk purgatives, irritant purgatives, and emollient purgatives.

List three examples of carminatives.

Dill, Clove, and Fennel.

What are the main uses of Ipecac?

Ipecac is used as an emetic and an anti-amoebic.

Name two drugs that act as expectorants.

Liquorice and Ipecac.

What type of drugs are Digitalis and Strophanthus classified as?

Cardiotonic drugs.

Which drug is known as a central analgesic?

Opium.

What are the effects of Rauwolfia in pharmacology?

Rauwolfia acts as an antihypertensive.

What type of drugs are classified as CNS stimulants?

Coffee and Tea.

Name a local anesthetic derived from plants.

Coca.

What is the role of Ephedra in pharmacology?

Ephedra acts as an adrenergic (sympathomimetic) drug.

List two examples of anticancer agents from the notes.

Taxus and Vinca.

What are the uses of Liquorice in treating peptic ulcers?

Liquorice is used for its derivatives of Glycyrrhitinic acid treatment.

What are the main actions of Belladona?

Belladona acts as an anticholinergic and CNS depressant.

What are the advantages of pharmacological classification?

It helps in identifying the therapeutic uses and actions of drugs.

What is a disadvantage of the morphological classification regarding drug characteristics?

Morphological characters were not given importance.

What type of drugs are classified as antibiotics?

Penicillins and Cephalosporins.

What is the significance of immunomodulatory agents?

They help in modulating the immune response.

Name a drug that acts as a skeletal muscle relaxant.

Curare.

What is the basis for classifying crude drugs when chemical constituents are unknown?

They can be classified based on therapeutic or pharmacological uses.

What is a limitation of classifying drugs based on their pharmacological actions?

Taxonomical status of drugs cannot be determined since drugs are grouped together based on similar pharmacological actions.

What is the preferred method of studying crude drugs according to chemical classification?

Grouping drugs according to the chemical nature of their principal constituent responsible for pharmacological activity.

Name three examples of chemical groups used in the classification of crude drugs.

Alkaloids, Glycosides, Tannins.

What are alkaloids, and give two examples of drugs that contain them.

Alkaloids are a class of chemical compounds that include drugs like Nux vomica and Datura.

What are glycosides, and name two drugs that contain them.

Glycosides are compounds that include drugs such as Digitalis and Senna.

What are tannins, and provide an example of a drug that contains them.

Tannins are compounds found in drugs like Myrobalan.

What is the significance of classifying drugs based on chemical constituents?

It helps in evaluating and correlating the relationship between chemical nature and pharmacological activity.

What is a disadvantage of chemical classification of drugs?

It does not properly categorize drugs containing two different types of chemicals.

What is chemotaxonomic classification?

A classification method that gives equal importance to taxonomical status and chemical constituents.

What are secondary metabolites, and why are they important in chemotaxonomy?

Secondary metabolites are compounds that perform non-essential functions and are utilized for protection; they are important for chemotaxonomic classification.

What is serotaxonomy?

A classification based on the selection of very similar plants by means of differences in the proteins they contain.

What is the role of serology in serotaxonomy?

Serology studies the nature and interactions of antigenic material with antibodies.

How does phytoserology differ from serology?

Phytoserology deals with immunochemical reactions between serum antibodies and plant proteins.

What is the process of creating antibodies in serotaxonomy?

A protein extracted from a plant is injected into an animal, prompting the animal's serum to produce antibodies.

What are primary metabolites, and what role do they play in plants?

Primary metabolites are involved in fundamental metabolic pathways and are essential for growth and development.

What is the significance of secondary metabolites in plants?

They are utilized for protection and defense against predators and pathogens.