Exam 1 - Things She Said to Know Flashcards
Definition of an alkaloid
- Nitrogenous molecules with the nitrogen often in a heterocyclic ring
- Occur as salts or N-oxides in plants
- Have an alkaline nature
- Soluble in hydroethanolic menstrum
- Extracted better from acid (add vinegar to the tincture “acid-alcohol”)
- Very dramatic in action
- Very powerful anodynes
- Some are toxic
Necine System
- Components of pyrrolizidine alkaloids
- PAs found in Symphytum officinale, Tussilago farfara, and Petasites spp.
- Potentially hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic
- PAs that are saturated at the 1,2 position of the necine ring are NONtoxic (like E. purpura)
- Macrocyclic and mono- and diesters have varying degrees of toxicity
Know how plants’ secondary metabolites are classified and what puts them into each classification
- Secondary metabolites are compounds that are not directly related to the growth, reproduction, or photosynthesis of the plant
- Many functions, including defense from other organisms, attraction of pollinators and other symbiotes, and protection from environmental factors like UV radiation
- Classified according to the chemical shape
Be able to name an alkaloid, carotenoid, and polysaccharide
Alkaloid
- Contains nitrogen, usually in a heterocyclic ring
Carotenoid
- 40-carbon chains
- Lipophilic, multiple conjugated double bonds
- Terminal cyclic structures
Polysaccharide
- Chains of sugars
Critical thinking about what is and what is not a volatile constituent
- Small (under 15 carbons), aromatic molecules
- Phenylproponoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and hemiterpenes in the form of alcohols, aldehydes, ethers, esters, ketones, and peroxides
- Coumarins and furanocoumarins are aromatic components of essential oils (fresh-cut grass smell)
- Monoterpenes are components of essential oils (low molecular weight of 10-carbon molecule)
- Sesquiterpenes are volatile with 15 carbons
- Frankincense is very anti-inflammatory, but not in essential oil form!
What is a resin (components and make up)?
- “A more or less solid, amorphous product of complex chemical nature”
- “A hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees”
- A mixture of terpenoid molecules and other aromatic compounds that combine to form a solid or semi-solid substance that is excreted by plants for protection or in response to injury
- The solid/semi-solid portion of resins are often di- and triterpenes
- The aromatic portion is commonly made up of mono- and sesquiterpenes
- Can distill aromatics from the heavier components
- Gum resins contain polysaccharides as well as the volatile oils and heavier terpenes
- Frankincense resin has anti-inflammatory properties, but the essential oil of it doesn’t!
What are the properties of saponins?
- Aglycone is lipophilic
- Sugars are hydrophilic
- Overall molecule is amphipathic
- Triterpenoid saponins have a 30-carbon skeleton
- Steroidal saponins have a 27-carbon skeleton
- Many anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic molecules
What is Inulin?
- An oligosaccharide
- Sources: onions, garlic, artichoke, dandelion, burdock, chicory
- Named for Inula helenium
- Prebiotic
- Soluble fiber
Carotenoids vs. Polyphenols
- Both antioxidant, but have different structures
Carotenoids
- 40-carbon chains
- Lipophilic, multiple conjugated double bonds
- Terminal cyclic structures
Polyphenols
- Multiple aromatic rings
Hawthorne Berries
- Contain oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs)
- Condensed tannins/proanthocyanidins
- Cooks down to a gelatinous mass because of pectin
What makes up oligomeric procyanidins?
- A few proanthocyanidins (condensed tannins) in a row
- Examples: Hawthorn, cinnamon, green tea, cocoa, linden flower, wild cherry, grape seed and skin
What type of constituents does Gentiana have?
- Secoiridoid glycosides (some of most bitter constituents known)
- Amarogentin
- Gentiopicrin
Know things about phytoestrogens - which are big groups of phytoestrogens?
- Isoflavones are phytoestrogens found in Soy, Red Clover, and Kudzu
- Lignans
> Enterolactone made from Flax lignan by enteric bacteria - Triterpene glycosides have anti-estrogenic effect, but are not classic phytoestrogens because they don’t sit in the estrogen receptor
Which has a sugar moiety, anthocyanidin or anthocyanin?
- Anthocyanin
Know what a lactone looks like (pick out molecule)
- Oxygen heterocycle with a ketone
