Category Drug Biological source Chemical Uses

constituents
Antitumor Vinca Dried whole plant of Vincristine For leukemia in children
Catharanthus rosens Vinblastine Choriocarcinoma
(Family Apocynaceae) Serpentine
Ajamaline
Cardiotonics Digitalis Dried leaves of Digitalis Digitoxin, Gitoxin In the treatment of
purpurea (Family Purpurea glycoside Congestive cardiac
Scrophulariaceae) A& B failure
Laxative Senna Dried leaves of Cassia Sennoside A, B, C Purgative
angustifolia (Family Rhein
Leguminoseae) Mucilage
Laxative Aloes Dried juice obtained from Aloin Purgative
the leaves of Aloe ferox, D-glycoside Ingredient of cosmetics
Aloe vera Linn (Family Aloe resin For born
Liliaceae) Barbaloin Skin irritation
Carminatives & Coriander Dry ripe fruits of Volatile oils Carminatives
G.I. regulators Coriandrum sativum Linalol Flavoring agents
(Family Umbelliferae) Pinene
Carminatives & Clove Dried flower bud of Volatile oils Carminatives
G.I. regulators Eugenia caryophyllus Gallotannic acid Flavoring agents
(Family Myrtaceae) Vanillin Production of clove oil
Drug acting on Nux-vominca Dried ripe seeds of Fixed oil Stimulant
nervous system Strychoas mixvomica L. Brucine Bitter tonic
(Family Loagniaceae) Loganin Rodenticide
Drug acting on Hyoscyamus Dried leaves and flowering Hyoscine Antispamodic
nervous system tops of Hyoscyamus niger Hyoscyamine Mydriatic
(Family Solanaceae) Antisialogogue
Drug acting on Ephedra Dried young stems of Ephedrine Cardiac stimulant
nervous system Ephedra gerardiana (wall) Nor-ephedrine Vasoconstrictor
stapf & Ephedra Dimethyl ephedrine CNS stimulant
nebrodensis (Tineo) Bronchodilator
(Family Gnetaceae)

Antiseptics & Neem Dried bark of the tree Amorphous resin Antiseptics, Astringent
Disinfectant Azadirachta indica (Family Tannic acid Disinfectant
Meliaceae) Margosine Malarial fever
Antiseptics & Curcuma Dried rhizomes of Curcumin Colouring agent
Disinfectant Curcuma longa Volatile oils Anti-inflammatory
(Zingiberaceae) Resins Detection of boric acid
Antitussive Tulsi Leaves of Ocimum Volatile oils Carminative
sanctum (Family Labiatae) Cugenol Antibacterial
Methyl cugenol Insecticidal
Carvacrol Expectorant
Antileprotics Chaulmoogra Expressed from the seeds Gorlic acid Leprosy
oil of Hydnocarpus Oleic acid Tuberculosis
heterophylla Kurz & other Palmitic acid
species of Hydnocarpus
(Family Flacourtiaceae)
Antidiabetics Gymnema Leaves or roots of Tartaric acid Diabetics
sylvestro Gymnema sylvetre R. B. Gymnemic acid Astringent
(Family Asclepidaceae) Anthraquinone Tonic
compounds
Oxytocies Ergot Dried sclerotium of fungus, Ergotamine Migraine
Claviceps purpurea Ergotaminine Oxytocic
Tulasane (Family Ergosine
 Clavicipitaceae), develop Ergosinine
on the ovary of rye plant Ergocryptine
Secale cerelae (Family Ergocryptinine
Gramineae) Histamine
Enzymes Papaya The fruits of plant Carica Papain As a digestant for protein
papaya Linnn (Family In meat packing industry
Caricaceae)
Miscellaneous Liquorice Peeled or unpeeled roots & Glycyrrhizin Expectorant
drugs stolon of Glycyrrhiza Glucose Sweetening agent
globra Linn. (Family Sucrose Anti-inflammatory
Leguminoseae) Starch Color masking agent
Miscellaneous Tobacco Dried leaves of Nicotiana Nicotine Narcotic
drugs tabacum (Family Nicotianin Sedative
Solanaccae) Emetic
Stimulant
Miscellaneous Shankpushpi Aerial parts of the plant Aminoacids Sedative
drugs Canscora decussate Proteins Asthma
(Family Convolvulaceae) Triterpenes Anthelmintic
Alkaloids Chronic bronchitis
Pharmaceutical Honey Produced by the hive bee, Formic acid Nutrient for patient
aids Apis mellifera & other Enzymes Sweetening agent
species of Apis (Family Vitamins Demulcent
Apidae) Minerals In cough mixture
Pharmaceutical Olive oil Expressed from the ripe Olein Laxative
aids fruit of Olea europoea Palmitin Demulcent
Linne, (Family Oleaceae) Glycerol Emollient
Arachin Nutrient
Pharmaceutical Acacia Stem and branches of Arabin Suspending agent
aids Acacia arabica (Family Arabic acid Emulsifying agent
Leguminosae) D-galactose Binding agent,Demulcent
Pharmaceutical Tragacanth Stems & branches of Polysaccharides Demulcent
aids Astragalus gummifier Starch Suspending agent
Labillardiere (Family cellulose Binding agent
Leguminoseae) Laxative
Pharmaceutical Arachis oil Expression from the seeds Oleic acid Lubricant
aids of Arachis hypogoae. Palmitic acid In the prep. Of plasters &
Lignoceric acid Liniments
Arachidic acid In manufacture of soap
 Systems of classification of Drugs

Drugs are derived from a variety of natural sources like plants, animals, minerals and microorganism.
Classification of drugs in particular sequence is needed for their easy understanding.

Systems of classification – The following are different systems of classification of drugs:

1. Alphabetical classification – This is the simplest form of classification. In this system, drugs are arranged in
alphabetical orders of their names in any particular languages. This system does not provide any information about
the scientific nature of the drugs. Example – Aloes, Black paper, Clove, Digitalis, Ergot, Fennel etc.

2. Taxonomical Classification - In this system, drugs are arranged according to the plants from which they are
derived in the terms of phyla, orders, families, genera and species. For example –

 Phylum – Spermatophyta
 Division – Angiospermae
 Class – Dicotyledons
 Sub-class – Sympetalae
 Order – Tubiflorae
 Family – Solanaceae
 Genus – Atropa
 Species – belladonna
3. Morphological classification – This classification is based on external or morphological characters. In this
system, drugs are arranged according to the part of the plant which is used as drug. For example

 Leaves – Senna, Digitalis

 Seeds – Isabgol, Castor, Nux-vomica
 Bark – Cinchona, Kurchi
 Roots – Rauwolfia, Ipecacuanha

4. Pharmacological classification – This classification is based on important pharmacological actions. So drugs

obtained from different chemical composition may fall under the same group. For example -

 Carminatives - Fennel, dill, coriander, and clove

 Anti- cancer - Taxaol, Vinca,
 CNS Stimulant – Nuxvomica
 Expectorant - Vasaka, Liquorice

5. Chemical classification – It is purely based on chemistry of major active constituents. It is most acceptable
and informative classification. For example -
 Alkaloid – Cinchona, Rauwolfia, Datura
 Volatile oil - Clove, Fennel oil, Coriander
 Glycoside - Senna, Digitalis, Licorice.
 Tannins - Arjuna, Ashoka