Pharmacognosy Exam Guide
Pharmacognosy Exam Guide
(Autonomous)
                                           (ISO/IEC - 27001 - 2005 Certified)
                                               MODEL ANSWER
                                          SUMMER– 22 EXAMINATION
Subject Title: PHARMACOGNOSY                                                    Subject Code:   20113
      __________________________________________________________________________________________________
             Belladona
                                                                                                         2½ M
             Biological Source- It consists of dried leaves & other aerial parts of Atropa belladonna
             or Atropa acuminate belonging to the family Solanaceae.
             Chemical constituents
             1.Tropane alkaloid- Atropine( Hyoscyamine) & Scopolamine( Hyoscine).
             2.Also contains apoatropine, aspargine & cholin, pyridine, N-methyl pyrroline
             3.Florescence substance β-methyl aesculatin (scopoletin) gives blue fluorescence with
             alcoholic ammonia
             4.Calcium oxalate
             Ephedra
                                                                                                          2½ M
             Biological source. : It consists of dried young stems of Ephedra gerardiana and Ephedra
             nebrodensis belonging to the family Genetaceae or Ephedraceae.
             Chemical constituents
             1.Contains about 1-1.5% Phenyl ethyl amine type of alkaloid- Ephedrine( 30-90%)
             2.Other alkaloids are : pseudo ephedrine,L- methyl ephedrine, Dimethyl ephedrine
             Norephedrine
             Under this system of classification, the crude drugs are classified according to
                                                                                                          2M
             Pharmacological action of their chief chemical constituents. Thus the crude drugs
             showing similar pharmacological action are put together regardless of their morphology,
             biological behaviour and chemical nature.
             Examples –
             Carminatives – Coriander ,Fennel, Cinnamon ,Clove etc
             Purgatives –Senna ,Rhubarb,Aloe etc
             Cardiotonics –Digitalis ,Arjuna
             Astringents – Black and pale catechu
             Antihypertensive –Rauwolfia
             Anti-tumor –Vinca
             Merits:                                                                                      1½M
             1)The main advantage of this method is that even if the chemical constituents of the
             crude drugs are not known, they can be classified properly on the basis of therapeutic or
             pharmacological property.
             2) The medicinal uses of crude drugs are known by this method.
             3) Combination of drugs can be used to improve its action.
             Demerits:
             1) Crude drugs used as pharmaceutical aids cannot be classified by this method.
                                                                                                          1½M
             2) Drugs which are dissimilar in their action of mechanism, even though their therapeutic
             effects are the same are put together.
             3)It does not show chemical constituents or morphology of drugs.
             4. Some drugs show more than one pharmacological action that is difficult to put in any
             category.
1      c)    Which parameters are considered for the evaluation of crude drug. Write any four
             methods or adulterations and substitutions. (1Mark for Parameters, 4Marks for any
             four Methods,)
             Parameters:                                                                                  1M
             Confirmation of identity, purity and quality are the three parameters used in drug
             evaluation. Such an evaluation can be done by examining characteristics under the
             Organoleptic evaluation, Microscopic evaluation, Physical evaluation , Chemical
             evaluation and Biological evaluation.
1      d)    Define alkaloids and volatile oil. Explain the test which performed for the
             identification of anthraquinone glycosides and tropane alkaloids.
             ( 1Mark for each Definition, 1½ Marks for Anthraquinone glycoside test, 1½ Marks
             for tropane alkaloid test)
                                                                                                          1M
             Volatile oils: Volatile oils are odorous and colourless principles of plants and animal
             sources which get evaporated when exposed to air.
             Identification Test:
                                                                                                          1½ M
             Tropane alkaloid : Vitali –Morin test :
             The tropane alkaloid is treated with fuming nitric acid, followed by evaporation to
             dryness and to the residue methanolic potassium hydroxide solution is added .It gives a
             bright purple (violet) colouration that changes to red and finally fades to colourless
             indicating the presence of tropane alkaloids.
             Anthraquinone glycoside
                                                                                                          1½ M
             Borntrager’s test: Boil the powdered leaves with dilute sulphuric acid. Filter
             immediately,separate the filtrate and cool. Mix the filtrate with a double volume of
             organic solvents like benzene, chloroform or carbon tetrachloride. Shake it well and
             separate the organic solvent layer. To the layer of organic solvent add an equal quantity
             of dilute ammonia. The ammoniacal layer becomes pink and finally red indicating the
             presence of anthraquinone derivatives.
OR
             Modified Borntrager’s test : To 0.1g of drug add 2ml 5% solution of ferric chloride and
             2ml of dilute hydrochloric acid, heat in boiling water bath for 5 minutes, cool and shake
             gently with benzene. Separate benzene layer and add equal volume of dilute ammonia. A
             pinkish red colour is produced with all varieties of aloes.
             The sclerotia are produced in the late summer. They fall on the ground in autumn. When
             the favourable conditions for the germination are available, these sclerotium germinate in
             the spring to produce small purple coloured stalks which on further growth form a
             flattened spherical stromatic head at the top. The head of the stroma contains several
             perithecia. Each perithecium contains several elongated asci. Each ascus contains eight
             thread like ascopores. The ascopores come out of the perithecium and get dispersed by
             the air current. The dispersal of ascopores takes place at the time of flowering of the rye
             plant which is the host. The ascopores become entangled with the feathery stigmas of the
             host and produce mycelia which penetrate through the ovary. The mycelia give rise to
             conidia ,produced from the surface of the ovary. The honeydew is sweet in taste and
             attracts insects. Along with honey dew, conidia are carried from one place to another by
             insects.The stage is either known as the honey dew stage or sphacelia stage.
             In the second stage, hyphae penetrate deeply into the ovary and develop into a mass
             covering the entire ovary which results in the formation of elongated sclerotium. This
             stage is known as scerotium stage. Sclerotium develops further, attains the maximum size
             and falls on the ground along with the seeds of the host.
             Diagram:
2M
             v)Akash (Void/space)
             Every substance- Made of 5 Elements- each possesses its own characteristic, property,
             effect, etc.Body takes these elements from nature and again releases it.Imbalance causes
             unhealthy conditions.
             (2) Tridosha Theory:
             Basic factors- Vata, Pitta, Kapha.
             i).Vata(space+air)
             ii).Pitta(energy+liquid)
             iii).Kapha(solid+liquid)
             The seven forms of Tridosha are called ‘SAPTADHATU’. These saptadhatu
             undergo wear and tear processes and form excretory material or mala.
             When these tri dosh ,saptadhatu and mala are in balanced form ,the condition is healthy.
             But if it is in imbalanced form there are pathological disorders.
             (3) Guna, Rasa, Virya, Vipaka, Prabhava.
             The five important pharmacological principles of Dravya or drug substance are-
             Guna- Quality
             Rasa- Therapeutically active agent
             Virya- Active principle by which potency is characterized.
             Vipaka- End product of digestion.
             Prabhava- Actual therapeutic activity.
             These are 5 important principles of drug. These are called as Phanchsheel- 5 pillars of
             ayurvedic therapeutics which covers entire range of diseases.
             1.Law of Simillia: Drug used in the disease (if given to a healthy person) which produces
             similar symptoms in a healthy person as found in the diseases. Thus the symptoms of the
             disease are to be matched with the pathogenesis caused by the drug.
             2.Individualization- No two individuals are alike in the world. Two individuals
             suffering from the same disease show different responses hence medicine should be
             different.
             .3.Law of Simplex:-single and simple medicine are prescribed at a time. (Combination is
             not allowed)
             4.Law of minimum dose:- Drugs are administered in minimum quantity to prevent any
             hypersensitivity. Also, chances of adverse effects are reduced or avoided if minute
             dosage is used.
             5.Drug proving:- Curative power of a drug is judged by its ability to produce disease-
             like symptoms in a healthy individual. Thus, exhibition of disease-like symptoms in an
             healthy individual by the drug proves its curative power.
             6.Drug dynamization or Potentialization – Potency of drugs can be enhanced by
             dilution. Dilution removes the unwanted toxic principles of drugs. Hence no adverse
             effects ( but dynamically more effective)
             7.Vital force- Disease: disharmonious flow of the vital force.
                            Treatment: restore disordered vital force to normal.
             Disease and health are two different quantitative states of this vital force.
1      g)    Define laxatives. Write chemical tests of i) Turmeric ii) Asafoetida
             (1Mark for Definition, 2Marks for each chemical test)
             Laxatives: Drugs that loosen the bowels                                                       1M
                                        OR
             The drugs producing, increasing and hastening intestinal evacuation.
                                        OR
             The drugs which promote defecation.
             ii) On fractured surface of drug add sulphuric acid, red or reddish brown colour is
             observed.
             iii) Drug when treated with 50% nitric acid gives green colour.
             iv) Combined umbeliferone test - Triturate about 0.5 gm of drug with sand and 5 ml
             hydrochloric acid. To it add little quantity of water, filter. To the filtrate add equal
             volume of ammonia. A blue fluorescence is produced due to presence of umbeliferone.
             Galenical Pharmacy:                                                                           1M
             Galen was Greek pharmacist; he worked on extraction of chemical constituent from the
             plants. He developed various methods of extraction therefore the branch of pharmacy
             which deals with extraction of chemical constituent from plants & animals is called as
             galenical Pharmacy
       b)    Define herbal Formulations. Write two examples of herbal solid dosage forms. Give
             therapeutic applications of Garlic.(1Mark for definition, 1Mark for any two
             examples and 1Mark for any two therapeutic applications )
             Definition: Herbal formulation means a dosage form consisting of one or more herbs or        1M
             medicinal plants or processed herbs in a specified quantities to provide specific
             nutritional, cosmetic benefits and/or other benefits meant for use to diagnose,treat and
             mitigate diseases of human beings or animals and/or alter the physiological function of
             human beings or animals.
                7. The Allicin & Alliin are potent antibacterial ingredients against gram +ve &
                gram-ve bacteria.
                8. Garlic has been reported to reduce the risk of colon cancer and lung carcinoma.
       c)    Explain and write the significance of Ash value and extractive value.( 1½Marks for
             explanation and significance of each)
             Ash value: The residue remaining after incineration is the ash content of the drug.It can
             be calculated as Total Ash value,Acid insoluble ash value,Water soluble ash value and          1½ M
             Sulphated ash value
             Significance of ash value: Ash content simply represents the inorganic salts naturally
             occurring in drug or adhering to drug or deliberately added to it as a form of adulteration.
             Therefore it is a criterion to judge the identity or purity of crude drugs.
             Extractive value: Extractive values which are determined by exhausting the crude drugs         1½ M
             with different solvents are indicative of total soluble constituents of the drug in that
             particular solvent. It can be determined as Water soluble extractives,Alcohol soluble
             extractives,Alcohol insoluble extractives and Ether soluble extractives.
             Significance of Extractive value: It is used to assess quality, purity and to detect
             adulteration.
       d)    Define surgical dressings, State the Ideal requirements of surgical dressings (1Mark
             for definition, 2Mark for any four ideal requirements)
             Definition of Surgical dressings:
             Surgical dressing term is utilized to incorporate all structures whether used alone or in      1M
             conjunction with others to cover a wound.
                                                            OR
             Surgical dressings are the materials used for covering the wounds or injuries and to be
             applied singly or in combination.
             Ideal requirements of surgical dressings : (Any four)                                          2M
             i) They should be sterilized before use.
             ii) They should be stored in a dry well- ventilated place at a temp. not exceeding 25OC.
             iii) They should be used with permitted antiseptics in prescribed concentration only.
             iv) They should not be dyed unless mentioned in the monograph.
             v) Adhesive products should not be allowed to freeze.
             vi) There should not be any loose threads, fibre-ends in dressings. .
       e)    State the therapeutic applications of Ipecac, Artemisia and Ephedra.(1Mark for any
             two therapeutic application of each drug)
             Therapeutic applications of Ipecac: (Any Two)                                                 1M
                1. Emetine is used in treatment of amoebic dysentery.
                2. Emetic,
                3. In small doses used as expectorant
             Definition of Antioxidants:
             Antioxidants or inhibitors of oxidation are compounds which retard or prevent the
             oxidation in general and prolong the life of the oxidisable matter.                           ½M
             Therapeutic applications: ( Any Two)
                1. Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by
                    unstable molecules known as free radicals.                                             1M
                2. They prevent heart and liver diseases, some cancers, arthritis, accelerated aging,
                    eye sight deterioration and neurodegenerative diseases.
                3. Beta- carotene and vitamins are shown to cause antioxidant effects and immune
                    enhancement.
                4. Vitamin E (Tocopherol) is a major radical trapper in lipid membranes and is
                    found clinically useful in cardiac damage and carcinogenicity.
       i)    Define medicinal and aromatic plants. State the role of medicinal and aromatic
             plants in the national economy.(½ Mark for each definition and 2 Marks for role of
             MAPs in the national economy)
             Definition:
             Medicinal plants: are those plants that have a recognized medicinal value.                    ½M
                                                            OR
             Medicinal plants can be defined as the plants that possess therapeutic properties or
             exert beneficial pharmacological effect on the human
             Aromatic plants: are those that contain aromatic compounds basically essential oils           ½M
             Role of medicinal and aromatic plants in the national economy:
                1) Medicinal and aromatic plants form a numerically large group of economically            2M
                    important plants which provide basic raw materials for medicines, perfumes,
                    flavours and cosmetics.
                2) A recent study indicates that the herbal drug market continues to grow at the rate
                    of 15% annually.
                3) Several hundred genera are used in herbal remedies and in traditional or folklore
                    medicines throughout the world.
                4) The World Health Organisation(WHO) estimated that 80% of the population of
                    developing countries rely on herbal medicines for their treatment.
                5) Medicinal and aromatic plants and their products not only serve as a valuable
                    source of income for small land holder farmers and entrepreneurs but also earn
                    valuable foreign exchange by way of export.
                6) Medicinal and aromatic plants are a good resource to develop new medicines and
                    treat the body and mind which is known as naturopathy. They are useful for
                    improving health and life.
                7) Many synthetic medicines are based on plant extracts, which are used to create
                    new modern medicines.
       j)    Write the method of preparation of Arishta and Gutika.(1½Marks for each )
             Method of preparation of Arishta
                    Decoction is prepared from coarsely powdered drugs as per the formula
                    Strained decoction is placed in a fermenting vessel and a weighted quantity of         1½ M
                    sugar, jaggery or honey is dissolved, heated and added.Prakshepa dravyas are
                    added. Then Dhataki- pushpa (Dhayati-flowers), if mentioned in the formula, are
                    then added. The opening of the vessel is then closed with lid & Sealed with clay
                    smeared cloth with 7 consecutive layers.
                    After a specified period, the contents are examined to ensure the fermentation
                     ( Sadhana) is complete.
                     Finally, the fluid is decanted and strained after 2-3 days and then bottled.
             Method of preparation of Gutika:
                    Drugs of Plant origin are dried & made into fine powders separately.                  1½ M
                    The Minerals are Made into bhasmas or sinduras, unless otherwise mentioned.
                    Where Parada
                    (Mercury) & gandhaka (Sulphur) are mentioned. Kajjali is made first with other
                    drugs added one by one according to the formula.
                    They are Put into Khalva (Mortar) & ground to soft Paste with the prescribed
                    fluids.When the mass is Properly ground & is in a condition to be made into pills
                    Sugandh dravyas are added & ground again.
                    The Final pill mass should not stick to the fingers when rolled.
                    Pills may be dried in shade or in the sun.
                    When Sugar/ jaggery is mentioned is mixed when still warm and & dried in
                    shade.
       k)    Write biological source and uses of lavender oil and sandalwood oil.(½ Mark for
             biological source and 1 Mark for two important uses of each drug)
             Biological Source of Lavender oil:                                                           ½M
             It consist of essential oil obtained by distillation of the flower spikes of Lavandula
             angustifolia and Lavandula officinalis belonging to the family Labiatae
             Uses of Lavender oil: ( Any two)
                1. It has antiseptic and anti- inflammatory properties, thus can be used as anti- acne    1M
                    agent, thus beneficial for healing burns as well as the scars caused by them.
                2. It promotes hair growth and treats various hair problems like hair loss, itchy
                    scalp, dandruff, and prevents greying of hair.
                3. Prevents wrinkles around the eyes.
                4. Reduces stretch marks
                5. Lavender aromatherapy has been utilized to increase mental capacity and
                    diminish fatigue,to improve mood and perceived levels of anxiety.
                6. Oil is used in making soaps, face washes and body lotions.
       i)    In case of vasaka and Clove which part of the plant is used as a drug.                      ½ M
             Ans: Vasaka: dried as well as fresh leaves                                                  each
                   Clove : dried flower buds.
       j)                                                                                                ½M
             Write two main constituents of Guggul.
                                                                                                         each
             Ans: Z-Guggulsterone and E-Guggulsterone, Guggulsterol-I,II,III,
             Myrcene,Dimyrcene,Polymyrcene,Caryophyllene.(Any Two)
             Ans: Garlic
       m)                                                                                                1M
             Name the drug belonging to combretaceae family
             Ans: Cinchona
       o)                                                                                                1M
             Write one commercial preparation of aloe vera gel.
             Ans: Nyle Natural Clean and Shine shampoo OR Dabur Vatika Aloe vera Hair Oil
             OR Aloe moisturizing Hand cream,etc..(Any other commercial preparation can be
             considered)
       p)                                                                                                1M
             Name the drug for which Keller killani test is performed.
             Ans:Digitalis
       q)                                                                                                ½ M
             Write two main constituents of rosemary oil.
                                                                                                         each
             Ans: Main constituents of rosemary oil: (Any two)