LEC - 3 - Sources of Drugs Flashcards
The origins from which drugs are derived, including natural sources (plants, animals, microorganisms, and minerals), semi-synthetic, synthetic, and recombinant DNA technology.
Sources of Drugs
Natural Sources of Drugs:
Plants
Leaves
Flowers
Fruits
Seeds
Bark
Animals
Minerals
The oldest source of drugs, used empirically. Drugs are derived from leaves, seeds, flowers, roots, bark, etc.
Plants
Disadvantages for plants:
plant identification
climatic and social conditions
season of collection
storage conditions
Standardization
purity of active ingredients.
Examples of Medicinal Leaves:
Digitalis purpurea
Eucalyptus
Tobacco
Atropa belladonna
Source of digitoxin and digoxin (cardiac glycosides).
Digitalis purpurea:
Source of eucalyptus oil (used in cough syrups).
Eucalyptus:
Source of nicotine.
Tobacco:
Source of atropine.
Atropa belladonna:
Examples of Medicinal Flowers:
Poppy (Papaver somniferum)
Vinca rosea
Rose
Source of morphine (opioid).
Poppy (Papaver somniferum):
Source of vincristine and vinblastine (anti-neoplastic drugs).
Vinca rosea:
Source of rose water (used as a tonic).
Rose:
anti-neoplastic drugs
vincristine and vinblastine
Examples of Medicinal Fruits:
Senna pod
Calabar beans
Source of anthracene (purgative used for constipation).
Senna pod:
Source of physostigmine (cholinomimetic agent used in treating glaucoma and anticholinergic toxicity).
Calabar beans:
purgative used for constipation
anthracene
cholinomimetic agent used in treating glaucoma and anticholinergic toxicity
physostigmine
Examples of Medicinal Seeds:
Nux vomica
Castor oil seed