Guidelines for Research on Medicinal Plants for Local Drug Production II

Question 1

If developing countries are to obtain self-reliance in the production of drugs from medicinal plants, what are the necessary conditions that must be considered?

Answer 1

i. Reduction of unwarranted importation of drugs.
ii. Attempt to produce some pharmaceuticals locally
iii. Utilisation of locally available medicinal plants as drug substitutes
iv. Encouragement of large-scale cultivation of medicinal plants such that excesses may converted to drug products for exportation.
v. Direction of research toward solving local problems collaboratively.

Question 2

Which 3 countries have the highest estimation of TC/CAM importation?

Answer 2

1. USA $2700M
2. Canada $2400M
3. UK $2300M

Question 3

Mention 4 factors responsible for low production capacity in Africa.

Answer 3

1. High cost of patent technology for pharmaceutical production
2. Low level production technology and technology know-how
3. Import Dependency for Raw Materials
4. Dependence on Formulation Production for Multinational Enterprises

Question 4

Mention 4 forms in which medicinal drugs can be produced

Answer 4

1. Plant materials dried and powdered for tabletting or encapsulation
2. Prepared dried plant extracted in water (as infusion, decoction or tisane) and reduced to powder by freeze-drying
3. Plant material extracted in solvent and evaporated to powder by rotary evaporator for tabletting or encapsulation
4. Isolation of pure active constituents and addition of excipients for tabletting or encapsulation.

Question 5

Name a plant used as an analgesic/antipyretic and its active ingredient.

Answer 5

Papaver somniferum - Morphine

Question 6

What’s the plant source of colchicine? What is it used for?

Answer 6

Gloriosa superba

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and anti-gout drug

Question 7

What’s the plant source of Emetine? What is it used for?

Answer 7

Cephaelis ipecacuanha

Antiprotozoal

Question 8

What’s the plant source of Ergometrine? What is it used for?

Answer 8

Claviceps purpurea

Treatment of migraines

Question 9

Name a plant used as a neoplastic and its active ingredient.

Answer 9

Catharantus roseus

Vinblastine, Vincristine

Question 10

Name a plant used as an anti-arrhythmic and its active ingredient.

Answer 10

Cinchona spp.

Quinidine

Question 11

Name a plant used as a muscle relaxant and its active ingredient.

Answer 11

Physotigma venenosum

Physostigmine

Question 12

Mention 3 drugs that act on the respiratory tract and their active ingredients.

Answer 12

Theobroma cacao - Theophylline
Papaver somiferum - Codeine
Ephedra vulgaria - Ephedrine

Question 13

Plants to be used for drug production can be grouped into two categories. What are they?

Answer 13

A- Plants and herbs already used in healthcare in many countries
B- Plants that are used widely throughout the world to be cultivated on large-scale in countries where they grow readily.

Question 14

What are the roles of developed countries in promoting the production of drugs from plants in Africa?

Answer 14

• Development of simple machinery to produce the required extracts or powdered herbs, taking into account water shortage and irregular power supply.
• Maintenance of facilities and availability of spare parts for continuous sustenance of the production plant.
• Provision of appropriate expertise to train staff of African countries in the art of drug production utilising the simple
  technology that is being installed