Common Medicinal Plants, Poisonous Plants and Ordeal plants I

Question 1

What are the source and use of this compound:

Diosgenin

Answer 1

The bulb of Dioscorea bulbifera (Dioscoreaceae).

It is used for the partial synthesis of steroid hormones.

Question 2

What are the source and use of this compound:

Quinine

Answer 2

Bark of Cinchona officinalis (Rubiaceae).

Treats malaria.

Question 3

What are the source and use of this compound:

Reserpine

Answer 3

Root of Rauwolfia serpentina (Apocynaceae).

Treats hypertension and controls blood pressure.

Question 4

What are the source and use of this compound:

Pilocarpine

Answer 4

Leaf of Pilocarpus jaborandis (Rutaceae).

It is a cholinergic agonist. Treats glaucoma and dry mouth.

Question 5

What are the source and use of this compound:

Vinblastine

Answer 5

Leaf of Catharanthus roseus (Apocynaceae).

Treats Hodgkins, leukemia, testicular and neck cancer.

Question 6

What are the source and use of this compound:

Artemisinin

Answer 6

Leaf of Artemisia annua (Asteraceae).

Treats malaria.

Question 7

What are the source and use of this compound:

Galantamine

Answer 7

Bulb of Galanthus woronowii (Amaryllidaceae).

Treats Alzheimer’s disease.

Question 8

What are the source and use of this compound:

Podophyllotoxin

Answer 8

Root of Podophyllum emodi (Berberidaceae).

Treats testicular, small cell lung cancer and lymphomas.

Question 9

What are the source and use of this compound:

Morphine

Answer 9

The seed of Papaver somniferum (Papaveraceae).

It’s an analgesic