Medicinal Chemistry

Question 1

Describe the term Medicinal Plant

Answer 1

Plant extracts that have a biological impact on the body

Question 2

Some potential benefits of medicinal plants include:

Answer 2

• Lowering blood pressure
• Reducing Cholesterol
• Relieving Pain
• Preventing Seizures
• Preventing Conception
• Calming Anxiety
• Treating Skin Conditions

Question 3

Solvent Extraction can be defined as:

Answer 3

• A separation process that involves a liquid and a solid.

Question 4

How is Solvent Extraction performed?

Answer 4

• A solid object (plant) is place in contact with a liquid (the solvent)
• The plant components of interest are transferred to the solvent
• The solvent now with molecules of interest can then be extracted

Question 5

Steam Distillation can be described as:
(More in Lab Analysis)

Answer 5

• A process used to extract medicinal compounds from plants

Question 6

How does Steam Distillation work?

Answer 6

• Boiler is used to produce flow of steam
• Produced Steam is passed through the leaves
• Hot Steam breaks down the plant cells and carries plant oils with it
• The steam and oils are then condensed
• Oils are usually non-polar, meaning they can be separated easily from the water