Drugs with carbohydrates

Question 1

What are carbohydrates?

Answer 1

Carbohydrates contain C, H, and O in their structure, where H and O are present in the same amount as water. They are among the first products to arise as a result of photosynthesis. They make a large proportion of plant biomass, and are responsible as cellulose for rigid frameworks and as starch as a food reservoir.

Question 2

The Latin name for inulin? From which family did it come?

Answer 2

Dhalia variabilis, Helianthus tuberosus, and Inula helenium from which it was first isolated in the 19th century. Compositae.

Question 3

Characteristics of inulin.

Answer 3

It is sparingly soluble in cold water but it dissolves at 70°. Also, it cannot be stained by iodine nor it can be hydrolyzed.

Question 4

Chemical structure of inulin.

Answer 4

It consists of chain 1.2-linked fructofuranose units terminated by one glucose unit.

Question 5

Medicinal use of inulin.

Answer 5

The body does not metabolize it and it is excreted unchanged. In injection it is used to measure glomerular filtration rate.

Question 6

What type of algae is used for agar production and which species?

Answer 6

Red algae including, Gelidium, Pterocladiam and Gracilaria. It is obtained from Gelidium amansii.

Question 7

In which forms agar occur?

Answer 7

a. bundles of somewhat agglutinated, translucent, yellowish-white strips.
b. coarse powder of flakes

Question 8

For what agar is used?

Answer 8

It is used for:
a. preparation of culture media
b. as an emulsifying agent
c. treatment for chronic constipation
d. in affinity chromatography

Question 9

The Latin name for cotton.

Answer 9

Gossypium herbaceum and Gossypium barbadense

Question 10

For what are used seeds of cotton?

Answer 10

For the preparation of cottonseed oil and cattle cake.

Question 11

The Latin name for jute.

Answer 11

Corchorus capsularis and C. olitorius.
Tow

Question 12

In which form we can find starch.

Answer 12

It is present in seeds and underground organs. Starch occurs in the form of granules and consists of amylose and amylopectin. We can make amylose insoluble by using polar organic substances butanol and thymol. Amylose is responsible for the deep blue color.

Question 13

Which starches do we use in pharmacy?

Answer 13

Zea mays
Oryza sativa
Triticum aestivum
Solanum tuberosum
Manihot utilissima

Question 14

Uses of starch.

Answer 14

a. dusting powder
b. skin emollient
c. as basis for enema
d. antidote for iodine poisoning
e. tablet disintegrant
f. paper, food, textile industries

Question 15

The Latin name for psyllium (flea seeds).

Answer 15

Plantago afra, P. indica and P. ovata

Question 16

Uses of flea seed.

Answer 16

a. demulcents
b. treatment for chronic constipation
c. ispaghula has a higher swelling factor

Question 17

The Latin name for marshmallow leaf/root.

Answer 17

Althaea officinalis

Question 18

What properties does mucilage give to marshmallow leaves?

Answer 18

a. emollient
b. laxative
c. antitussive

Question 19

What is the usage of marshmallow leaf?

Answer 19

It is used for abscesses.

Question 20

What kind of flavonoids it has?

Answer 20

1. quercetin
2. kaempferol
3. coumarin
4. polyphenolic acid

Question 21

Marshmallow root has polysaccharides that by hydrolysis give?

Answer 21

galactose + rhamose +galacturonic acid + glucuronic acid

Question 22

What are other components of mucilage?

Answer 22

glucans and arabins

Question 23

For what is it used?

Answer 23

It is used as:
a. demulcents
b. for irritable cough
c. gastric inflammation

Question 24

Where is mucilage in aloe vera placed?

Answer 24

It is placed in the parenchymatous cells of aloe vera leaf.

Question 25

What are the therapeutic activities of aloe vera?

Answer 25

1. anti-inflammatory
2. gastrointestinal
3. antidiabetic
4. anticancer
5. antifungal
6. antibacterial
7. radiobiological protection

Question 26

What components does it have?

Answer 26

glucose + mannose +glucuronic acid (acetylate)

Question 27

The Latin name for quinces seed and from which family it comes?

Answer 27

Cydonia oblonga - Rosaceae

Question 28

It is composed of?

Answer 28

1. mucilage (arabinose + xylose + uronic acid)
2. fixed oil
   3, cyanogenic glycoside
3. enzyme

Question 29

Usage of quince seeds?

Answer 29

1. demulcent
2. emulsifying agent
3. hair-fixing lotion

Question 30

The Latine name for slippery elm bark.

Answer 30

Ulmus rubra

Question 31

Properties of mucilage.

Answer 31

It consists of two or more polyuronides. It had demulcent, emollient, and nutritive properties.

Question 32

The Latine name for honey.

Answer 32

Apis mellifera

Question 33

What kind of nectar gives honey an unpleasant taste?

Answer 33

Datura stramonium
Rhododendron

Question 34

Usage of honey.

Answer 34

a. component of linctus and cough mixtures
b. for Oxymel and Squill Oxymel

Question 35

The Latine name for Iceland moss/cetraria.

Answer 35

Cetraria islandica

Question 36

What kind of carbohydrates it contains, and what gives by hydrolysis?

Answer 36

It has lichenin (soluble in hot water and not colored by blue) and isolichenin (soluble in cold water and gives iodine blue colour, by hydrolysis gives glucose.

Question 37

Usage of Iceland moss.

Answer 37

Usnic acid is an antibiotic and it is used as a demulcent for treatment of cough involving throat irritation. It is used as a bitter tonic to diminish the ugly taste of medicines.