Hrbl-Module 3- pharmacokinetics Flashcards
What are the three types of Monobasic acids and what do they do?
1) Fatty acids- saturated fats (coconut, palm) and unsaturated (primrose, flax, general Omegas)
2) Formic acid- (nettles and pine and red ants), acts as a rubefacient
3) Acetic acid- (vinegars) balances ph, cleanses digestive tract, acts as diaphoretic
What are the 2 types of polybasic acids and what do they do?
1) oxalic acids-(dock family, leafy greens, rhubarb, parsley, balck tea)- binds with calcium and forms kidney stones. Large quantities to be avoided
2) Succinic acid- (almost all plant material)- acts as mild analgesic and plays important role in cell metabolism
What are the three types of Hydroxy acids and what do they do?
Tartaric acid- (tamarind and turmeric) slightly acidify body and act as gentle laxative
Citrus acid- (fruits and berris) converts to alkaline in body, cleanses body by stimulating liver
Malic acid- (apples) draws substances and possibly heavy metals and toxins from body
What is the main type of aromatic acid amd what does it do?
Benzoic acid-(cranberries, tolu and peru balsams) antiseptic and slightly irritating diuretic. Relieves congestion and irritation of upper respiratory tract through inhalation
What are the three kinds of Carbohydrates and what are their actions
1) monosaccharides-provide energy to cells and roughage to diet
2) disaccharides- same as monsaccharides
3) polysaccharides- appear to have a beneficial affect on immune system
4 types of Organic acids
- Monobasic
- Polybasic
- Hydroxy
- Aromatic
What are three types of polysaccharides?
1) cellulose and hemicellulose-(oats, bran, dried fruit) make up cell walls of plant and provide insoluble soft fibre
2) Inulin- (yellow plants of asteracae-dandelion and elecampane) made up of fructose, simple plant sugar
3) pectin- (skins of apples and plums) gelling substance. Draws substances like plaque and cholesterol out, act as a stomach coating to decrease ulcers and as a bulking laxative
What are four types of gums and mucilages?
1) Gums- (acacia, guar) bulking agents
2) Mucilages- (plantain, comfrey) soothes tissues which in turn reduces inflammation. Soothe lining of GI tract, Urinary tract, uterus and lungs.
3) seaweed gums- (carageenan, agar) thickening agents, draw water and other substances in while soothing tissues
4) resins- (polar bud, myrrh) antiseptic, stimulate white blood cell activity (making them invaluble for healing)
What are some of the medicinal actions that tannins provide and what are the differences between the two types of tannins? What are they called?
Tannins in general are astingent and drying. They can treat ‘wet’ conditions (fluid retention, diarrhoea, mucus build up) and are also good for treating wounds as they draw tissue together, reduce bleeding and inflammation.
Condensed tannins- (strawberry leaves, witch hazel) safe for longterm use, breaks down in liver and excreted through kidney
hydrosylable tannins- (white oak, horse chestnut) does not break down in liver, can be hepatoxic
What is a general definition of a glycoside and what are the names of the 8 types?
A compoumd that is bound to a glucose molecule and remains inactive till dried, fermented or digested.
1) Phenolic Glycosides (phenols)
2) Cyanogenic Glycosides
3) saponins
4) Flavonoids
5) anthroquinone glycosides
6) mustard oil glycosides
7) cardio active glycosides
8) coumarins
What are the 4 types of Phenols and what do they do?
1) salicylic acids/salicylates- (willow, cramp bark) anti-inflammatory, analgesic. Key ingredient in aspirin
2) Eugenol-(primarily cloves) anethetic, antispetic, warming, increases salivation
3) thymol-(primarily thyme but also mint family) antifungal, antiseptic, anti-parasitic
4) Hydroquinone (rose and heather families, most notably bearberry) disinfectant antispetic, particularly to bladder, and kidney tubules
What are cyanogenic glycosides and what are some of their therapeutic actions?
-(seeds and pits like apples, plums, etc. Also small quantities in herbs like hawthorn and wild cherry bark) breaks down to create cyanide which is toxic in large quantities. Small doses are antispasmodic and sedative, also increases activity of P.Sympathic Nervous system, decreases heart rate, improves digestion
What are some general traits of saponins? What are the three varieties called and what do they do?
foams and lathers when mixed with water and shaken. Direct affect on endocrine system and hormonal production, immuno-modulating, lower cholesterol, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, stimulating expectorants
1) steroidal saponins-(wild yams, balck cohosh)- related to steroid hormones, can be used to occupy receptor sites and decrease naturally produced hormones
2) Triterpenoid saponins- (panax ginseng, licorice) adaptogenic
3) Cardiac saponins- (foxglove, lily of the valley) directly affects heart rate and can be toxic in small doses.
What are the general traits of flavonoids and list the three types with their specific properties.
Most widely found glycoside. Wide variety if actions including antioxidant, antimicrobial, prevent mutation of cells, lower blood pressure, sedative and anti-spasmodic, strengthen vascular tissue, anti inflammatory, diuretic, stabilize capillary permeability
1) flavones (yellow and white flowers of citrus plant) isoflavones have a phytosterol action
2) Anthocyanins (dark berries and their leaves) healing blood vessels, lowering blood pressure
3) flavanolignans- (milk thistle, flax) combo of flavonoids and lignan. Important for protection and restoration of liver function. May be useful in fighting cancer
What are some of the actions of anthroquinone glycosides?
(senna leaf, Cascara bark) Irritating laxatives to treat constipation. Should not be used long term as they can cause permanent damage to nerve endings in intestines.
