PCOG Flashcards
What is pharmacognosy?
The study of drugs of biologic origin, including their properties and uses.
What are crude drugs?
Natural substances that have only undergone the processes of collection and drying.
What is the significance of the Papyrus Ebers?
It is an ancient Egyptian document containing 600-700 citations of drugs from plants or animals, discovered in 1550 BC.
Who is known as the Father of Pharmacology?
Pedanios Dioscorides.
What does molecular pharmacognosy involve?
Manipulation of genes, proteins, and enzymes using biotechnology to influence the synthesis of active ingredients.
What is ecopharmacognosy?
The practice of increasing the sustainability of natural sources to avoid depletion, involving proper collection and cultivation.
What is the purpose of drying crude drugs?
To remove moisture, protect from microbial damage, and fix the constituents.
What is the term ‘menstruum’ in pharmacognosy?
A solvent or liquid mixture that dissolves the chief constituents of a drug.
What is the difference between indigenous and naturalized plants?
Indigenous plants grow in their native regions, while naturalized plants grow in foreign lands.
What is garbling in the preparation of crude drugs?
The final step involving the physical or mechanical removal of extraneous matter from the crude drug.
What is the purpose of packaging, storing, and preservation of crude drugs?
To protect from environmental conditions and insect attacks, and for marketability.
What is the simplest method to preserve crude drugs from insect attacks?
Exposure to 65° C.
What are the types of crude extracts mentioned?
Pilular, Syrupy, and Powdered.
What is the maceration method of extraction?
Submerging the solute in a suitable solvent for 48-72 hours.
What is the purpose of percolation in extraction?
To allow slow and intimate extraction using filtration and gravity.
What does organoleptic evaluation involve?
Macroscopic evaluation by means of the senses (odor, color, taste, etc.).
What is the significance of biological assays in drug evaluation?
To determine pharmacologic activity using living organisms.
What is the best method for determining the official potency of drugs?
Chemical assays, including titrimetric and quantitative analyses.
How are drugs classified morphologically?
According to the part of the plant used.
What does taxonomic classification consider?
Phylogeny, the natural relationship among plants and animals.
What family does guava belong to?
Myrtaceae.
Which plant is known for its antihypertensive properties?
Garlic (Allium sativum).
What is the primary use of ampalaya?
As an anti-diabetes mellitus supplement.
What are secondary metabolites?
Chemical entities in crude drugs responsible for therapeutic properties.
What is drug biosynthesis?
The process of producing secondary metabolites used as drugs.
What does adulteration refer to?
The debasement or spoilage of an article, making it substandard.
What is the significance of gibberellic acid (GA) in pharmacognosy?
It increases cardiac glycoside formation in the digitalis plant.
Which plant is used as an anti-gout remedy?
Pansit-pansitan (Peperomia pellucida).
What is the role of heredity in the production of secondary metabolites?
It influences the genes and variety of the plant, affecting metabolite concentration.
What is the primary function of the active constituents in drugs?
They are pharmacologically or pharmaceutically active substances.
What are the two types of functional groups in carbohydrates?
Aldehyde and ketone.
What is the general formula for carbohydrates?
C_n(H_2O)_n.
What is the first product of photosynthesis?
Glucose.
What are the two processes involved in the conversion of carbon dioxide and water during photosynthesis?
Reduction and oxidation.
How are carbohydrates classified?
Into monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.
What are homoglycans?
Polysaccharides made of only one type of sugar, such as starch and cellulose.
What are heteroglycans?
Polysaccharides made of different types of sugars, such as gums and mucilage.
What is the most important monosaccharide in plants?
Hexoses.
What distinguishes aldoses from ketoses?
Aldoses contain an aldehyde group, while ketoses contain a ketone group.
What is the simplest natural aldose?
Glyceraldehyde.
What is the cyclic configuration of glucose called?
Haworth projection.
What is an anomeric carbon?
A carbon that has two oxygens and determines the alpha or beta configuration.
How many isomers can glucose have based on its chiral carbons?
16 isomers (2^4).
What is a diastereomer?
Compounds that differ in 2 or more chiral carbons, e.g., arabinose and xylose (C2, C3).
What is an epimer?
Compounds that differ in only 1 chiral carbon, e.g., arabinose and ribose (C2), glucose and mannose (C2).
What are enantiomers?
Mirror images of each other where all chiral carbons are switched, e.g., rhamnose and mannose.
What type of sugar is glucose?
An aldohexose with an aldehyde group in C1 and a reducing sugar.
What is the only utilizable sugar in the blood?
Glucose.
What is the natural source of glucose?
Grapes.
What is fructose commonly known as?
Fruit sugar or levulose.
What is the sweetest monosaccharide?
Fructose.
What is galactose and where is it found?
An aldohexose found in milk (as lactose) and neuronal fibers (as galactoceramides).
What condition affects the body’s ability to convert galactose to glucose?
Galactosemia.
What are natural sources of xylose (wood sugar)?
Corn cobs, straws, heartwood of deciduous trees, and other materials soaked in dilute acids to hydrolyze xylan.
What is the primary use of xylose?
As a diagnostic aid for intestinal malabsorption.
What are disaccharides composed of?
Two monosaccharide units.
How are disaccharides formed?
Via dehydration synthesis, forming ether glycosidic bonds.
What is sucrose composed of?
Glucose and fructose, linked by a β-1,2 glycosidic bond.
What is a characteristic of sucrose?
It is a non-reducing sugar.
What are the natural sources of sucrose?
Sugar cane, sugar beet, and sugar maple.
What is trehalose and where is it found?
A disaccharide composed of glucose + glucose, found in brown seaweed and fungi.
What is maltose commonly known as?
Malt sugar or beer sugar.
What is the primary use of maltose?
As a component in beers.
What is lactose derived from?
Fresh cow’s milk and the crystallization of whey, a by-product of cheese production.
What is the glycosidic bond in lactose?
α-1,4 glycosidic bond between glucose and galactose.
What causes lactose intolerance?
Absence of the enzyme lactase or β-galactosidase.
What is condensed milk?
Partially evaporated milk.
What is malted milk?
Milk evaporated with malt extract from barley.
What is Kumyss?
An alcoholic beverage made from fermented mare’s milk, originally made by nomads of Central Asia.
What is lactulose and its primary use?
A synthetic sugar used as a laxative (e.g., Duphalac®).
How does lactulose affect blood ammonia concentration?
It decreases blood ammonia concentration in portal-systemic encephalopathy by trapping ammonia as NH4+.
What are tautomers?
Constitutional isomers of organic compounds that readily interconvert in a rapid equilibrium.
What is the most common tautomeric relation in organic chemistry?
The keto-enol pair.
What are oligosaccharides?
Carbohydrates that have 3-10 sugar units.
What is maltotriose composed of?
Three glucose units.
What are dextrins?
Products of partial hydrolysis of starch, formed by amylase and glucosidase.
What is the role of α-glucosidase inhibitors?
They inhibit the conversion of limiting dextrins to glucose, preventing post-prandial increases in glucose levels.
What is raffinose composed of?
Glucose, galactose, and fructose.
What are polysaccharides?
Carbohydrates that consist of more than 10 sugar units, used for storage or structure.
What is the primary storage polysaccharide in plants?
Starch.
What is the primary storage polysaccharide in animals?
Glycogen.
What are homoglycans made up of?
One type of sugar only.
What is the temporary storage form of photosynthetic products in plants?
Starch (glucosan).
Name two natural sources of starch.
Corn grain (Zea mays) and potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum).
What are the two structurally different polysaccharides that make up starch?
Amylose and amylopectin.
What is the iodine test result for amylose?
Deep blue.
What is the primary use of pregelatinized starch?
As a tablet excipient.
What is the end product of α-amylases?
A mixture of glucose, maltose, and amylopectin.
What is glycogen’s role in animals?
Storage form of carbohydrates.
How frequently does glycogen branch compared to starch?
Every 10 units, more highly branched than starch.
What is the iodine test result for glycogen?
Wine red.
What is inulin primarily composed of?
A polymer of fructose.
What is one use of inulin?
To measure renal glomerular filtration.
What type of bonds link glucan in dextran?
ɲ - (1 o 6) bonds with some branching due to ɲ - (1 o 3).
What enzyme is responsible for converting sucrose to dextran?
Dextran sucrase/transglycosylase.
What is a common use of dextran?
As a plasma expander at 10%.
What is cellulose primarily responsible for in plant cell walls?
Rigidity.
Why can’t mammals digest cellulose?
They lack cellulase.
What is the natural source of cellulose?
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum).
What is methylcellulose used for?
As a bulk laxative and suspending agent.
What is the function of ethylcellulose?
As a tablet binder and film coat.
What is chitin a homopolymer of?
N-acetyl-ɴ-D-glucosamine.
What are heteroglycans made of?
Different types of sugar.
What are gums and mucilage classified as?
Natural plant hydrocolloids.
What is the primary function of gums in plants?
As a protective agent after injury.
What are the components of gum tragacanth?
Bassorin (60-70%) and tragacanthin (30-40%).
What is the best grade of tragacanthin and bassorin for use as a suspending agent?
Low tragacanthin and high bassorin.
What is the primary use of Acacia gum?
As a suspending agent (35%).
What is the exudate from Acacia senegal known as?
Gum arabic.
What type of gum is Karaya gum and what is its primary use?
It is an exudate from Sterculia urens, used as a bulk laxative.
What is the source of sodium alginate?
Brown seaweeds, specifically Macrocystis porifera.
What are the components of agar?
Agarose and agaropectin.
What is the primary use of carrageenan?
As a thickener and gelling agent.
What is the main property of xanthan gum?
It possesses pseudoplastic properties.
What is pectin derived from?
The inner portion of the rind of citrus fruits or from apple pomace.
What is the role of dextran in medical applications?
It is used as a plasma expander.
What is pectic acid?
An insoluble degradation product of overripe fruits.
What is chondroitin sulfate used for?
As a supplement for osteoarthritis to maintain elasticity of cartilage joints.
What is the role of hyaluronic acid?
It lubricates synovial fluid and is used in dermatology for anti-aging and anti-wrinkle treatments.
What is heparin and its primary function?
A natural anticoagulant that inhibits the action of thrombin.
What are sugar alcohols?
Reduction or hydrogenation products of sugars, such as sorbitol and mannitol.
What is the polyol pathway?
A metabolic pathway where glucose is converted to sorbitol by aldose reductase.
What can excess sorbitol lead to in diabetics?
Depletion of NADPH levels, lower antioxidant activity, and possible oxidative damage to cells.
What is the effect of NADPH in the body?
It activates glutathione and is involved in the pentose phosphate pathway.
What is the significance of chitin?
It is composed of N-acetylgalactosamine and comprises the shells of crustaceans.
What is the main cause of incompatibilities in cherry juice preparations?
Pectin.
What is the only plant acid that does not carbonize when heated?
Malic acid.
What is the use of malic acid in cherry juice?
Preparation of cherry syrup to mask the taste of sour drugs.
What are plant acids?
Aliphatic organic acids from plants with 2 to 6 carbon atoms and 2 or 3 carboxyl groups.
What is the ratio of citric acid to tartaric acid in effervescent tablet formulation?
1 part citric acid to 2 parts tartaric acid.
Which acid is a by-product of the wine industry?
Tartaric acid.
What is the oxidation product of ethylene glycol poisoning?
Oxalic acid (forms calcium oxalate crystals).
What is the precursor of aromatic compounds and amino acids?
Shikimic acid.
Which acid is known as the cheapest antioxidant but is very unstable?
Ascorbic acid.
What are glycosides?
Sugar ethers
What connects the sugar and non-sugar portions in glycosides?
A glycosidic bond.
What are the two important biosynthesis pathways for glycosides?
The mevalonate pathway and the shikimic acid pathway.
What is the role of UDP-sugar in glycoside formation?
It condenses with the aglycone to form the actual glycoside.
What does the shikimic acid pathway give rise to?
Aromatic amino acids and phenylpropanoids.
What are the products of chorismic acid?
Anthraquinone glycosides, phenols, and alcohols.
What type of glycosides does coumaric acid produce?
Lactone glycosides.
What do hydrolyzable tannins contain?
Gallic acid and ellagic acid.
What is the significance of the prephenic acid branch?
It can give rise to phenylpropanoids.
What does coumaric acid produce?
Chalcones, which produce flavonoids.
What are flavonoids required for?
The production of condensed tannins.
What is catechin?
A flavonoid that is the phenolic nucleus of condensed tannins.
Which acids are related to catechin?
Chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, and ellagic acid.
What is the role of HMG CoA reductase?
It is a target of statins to inhibit sterol production.
What does the Mevalonate pathway produce?
Hormones, cholesterol, and fat-soluble vitamins (ADEK).
What are anthraquinone glycosides used for?
As stimulant cathartics.
What is the mechanism of action (MOA) of anthraquinone glycosides?
They increase the tone of smooth muscle in the wall of large intestines and inhibit Cl ion channels.
What is the aglycone of anthraquinone glycosides?
Anthracene derivatives.
What are anthraquinone derivatives known for?
Orange-red colored compounds soluble in dilute alcohol and boiling/hot water.
What gives anthraquinone derivatives their solubility?
The hydroxyl group.
What color do anthraquinone derivatives give with a base like NH3 or NaOH?
Red, violet, or green.
What is the most reduced type of anthraquinone?
Anthranol.
What is the main constituent of Senna?
Sennoside.
What is the scientific name for Cascara Sagrada?
Rhamnus purshianus.
What are the main constituents of Cascara Sagrada?
Cascarosides A, B, C, and D.
What is the primary use of Cascara Sagrada?
As a cathartic for habitual constipation.
How should Cascara Sagrada be treated before use?
It should be aged for at least 1 year.
What is done to reduce the bitter taste of Cascara Sagrada?
Cured with MgO or alkaline earths.
What is the scientific name of Alder Buckthorn?
Rhamnus frangula.
What are the main constituents of Aloe?
Barbaloin and chrysophanic acid.
What is the primary use of Aloe vera gel?
Treatment of burns, abrasions, and skin irritations.
What is the scientific name for Chinese Rhubarb?
Rheum officinale, R. palmatum, R. raponticum.
What are the major constituents of Senna?
Sennosides A and B.
What is the use of Goa powder?
Keratolytic agent for psoriasis, trichophytosis, and eczema.
What is the main active compound in St. John’s Wort?
Hyperforin.
What is the effect of Hyperforin?
Acts as a reuptake inhibitor and increases neurotransmitters.
What is Arbutin derived from?
Dried leaves of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi.
What is the primary use of Bearberry?
Diuretic and weak urinary antiseptic.
What is the scientific name of Willow?
Salix purpurea and S. fragilis.
What is the primary constituent found in Willow?
Salicin.
What does salicin produce after hydrolysis with emulsin?
Saligenin/salicylic alcohol (aglycone).
What is the use of salicin?
Antirheumatic (like salicylic acid).
What is the scientific name of Poplar?
Populus tremuloides or Populus tremula.
What is the primary constituent found in Poplar?
Populin (benzoylsalicin).
What is the scientific name of Black Haw?
Viburnum prunifolium.
What are the uses of Black Haw?
Dysmenorrhea, bleeding, asthma.
What is the scientific name of Hops?
Humulus lupulus.
What is the primary constituent found in Hops?
Lupulin.
What is the scientific name of Kamala/Banato?
Mallotus philippinensis.
What is the use of Kamala?
Anthelmintic for tapeworm infestation.
What is the scientific name of Vanilla?
Vanilla planifolia or Vanilla tahitensis.
What is the principal flavoring constituent of Vanilla?
Vanillin.
What is the second most expensive spice in the world?
Vanilla.
What is the primary structure of flavonoids derived from?
The phenylpropanoid branch of the shikimate pathway.
What is the nucleus most flavonoids have?
Gamma-benzopyrone.
What is quercetin used for in pharmacognosy?
As a standard to determine the total flavonoid content of an extract.
What are isoflavonoids known for?
Being precursors to estrogen, also known as phytoestrogens.
What are the components yielded by rutin?
Quercetin (aglycone), rhamnose, and glucose.
What is the significance of phenol rings and hydroxyl groups in flavonoids?
They are responsible for the antioxidant properties.
What is the effect of increasing hydroxyl groups on antioxidant activity?
More hydroxyl groups lead to better antioxidant activity.
What is the common color change of anthocyanidins when boiled or acid is added?
They become colorless (Leucocyanidin).
What is the largest group of naturally occurring phenols?
Flavonoids.
What are chalcones known for in terms of plant pigmentation?
They are yellow pigments found in flowers.
What is the scientific name of Milk Thistle?
Silybium marianum.
What are the constituents of Milk Thistle known for their hepatoprotective effect?
Silbinin (a mix of silybin A and silybin B).
What is the active constituent of Soy Isoflavones?
Genistein.
What are the uses of Soy Isoflavones?
Prevents atherosclerosis, increases memory and mental flexibility, and alleviates menopausal symptoms.
What is the primary benefit of Tea Catechins?
Controls lipid levels and prevents atherosclerosis and coronary disease.
What is the potential anticancer compound found in Tea?
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
What is the scientific name of Cacao?
Theobroma cacao.
What are the constituents of Cranberry that help prevent UTI-causing microbes?
Procyanidins and other flavonoids and polyphenols.
What is the lactone glycoside that is a hydroxycinnamic acid lactone used as a flavoring agent?
Coumarin.
What is the anticoagulant derived from Coumarin?
Warfarin.
What are furanocoumarins and where are they found?
Furanocoumarins are compounds found in grapefruit juice.
What is the effect of furanocoumarins on CYP450 enzymes?
They inhibit CYP450 enzymes (CYP3A4, CYP3A5), leading to higher drug concentrations and potential toxicity.
What serious condition can occur when statins are taken with grapefruit juice?
Rhabdomyolysis.
What is the role of warfarin in anticoagulation?
Warfarin inhibits the reduction of vitamin K, preventing the activation of clotting factors.
What is the consequence of taking warfarin?
It leads to bleeding due to the inability to convert clotting factors to their active form.
What is dicoumarol and its source?
Dicoumarol is derived from improperly cured leaves and flowering tops of Melilotus officinalis and is used as an anticoagulant.
What is cantharidin and its uses?
Cantharidin is a constituent of Cantharis vesicatoria, used as an irritant, vesicant, rubefacient, and aphrodisiac.
What are psoralens and their medicinal uses?
Psoralens, such as methoxsalen, aid in repigmentation for idiopathic vitiligo and control symptoms of psoriasis.
What is the scientific name for grapefruit juice?
Citrus paradisi.
What are cardiac glycosides known for?
They have a specific action on cardiac tissues, increasing the force of systolic contraction.
What are the aglycones associated with cardiac glycosides?
Cardenolide and bufadienolide.
What is the primary effect of inhibiting Na+/K+ ATPase in heart muscles?
It increases the Ca+2 inside the heart muscles, leading to a positive inotropic effect.
What is the use of cardiac glycosides like Digitalis?
They are used for Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) to help pump out enough blood.
What are the two main types of cardiac glycosides?
Cardenolides and Bufadienolides.
What is a characteristic of Cardenolides?
They have a five-member unsaturated lactone and usually contain 23 carbons.
What distinguishes Bufadienolides from Cardenolides?
Bufadienolides have a six-member unsaturated lactone and usually contain 24 carbons.
What are the active constituents of Digitalis purpurea?
Digitoxin, gitoxin, and gitaloxin.
What is the difference in half-life between Digitoxin and Digoxin?
Digitoxin has a longer half-life (168 to 192 hours) compared to Digoxin (30 to 40 hours).
What is the role of Digibind or DigiFab?
They are digoxin-specific antibodies that bind to excess digoxin in the blood for excretion.
What electrolyte imbalances can occur with digitalis use?
Hypercalcemia, hypernatremia, and hypokalemia.
What is the scientific name of Black Indian Hemp?
Apocynum cannabinum.
What is the scientific name of Lily of the Valley?
Convallaria majalis.
What is the main constituent of Black Hellebore?
Hellebrin.
What are the constituents of Adonis?
Adonitoxin, cymarin, K-strophantin.
What is the use of Strophanthus seeds?
Preparation of arrow poisons.
What is the main constituent of Squill?
Scillaren A.
What is the scientific name of Oleander?
Nerium oleander.
What does the Keller Kiliani test indicate?
Presence of deoxy sugar.
What is a characteristic of saponin glycosides in aqueous solution?
They form a froth.
What is the effect of saponins on red blood cells?
They can hemolyze RBCs.
What is the qualitative test for saponins?
Froth test.
What is the primary use of Dioscorea floribunda?
It is the best source of steroids and major precursors of glucocorticoids.
What are the constituents of Sarsaparilla root?
Smilagenin, sarsasapogenin, and parillin.
What are the uses of Ginseng?
It is used as an aphrodisiac, adaptogen, and for treating anemia, diabetes, gastritis, and sexual impotence.
What is Glycyrrhizin and its primary use?
It is a sweet compound used as an expectorant and flavoring agent.
What caution should be taken when using Liquorice?
It can cause fluid/Na+ retention and reduce K+, leading to hypernatremia and hypokalemia.
What are the constituents of Gotu Kola?
Asiaticoside and centelloside.
What is the primary use of Quillaja bark?
It is used as a detergent and emulsifier.
What is the historical use of Gugo?
It was used to wash hair (shampoo).
What role do steroids play in humans?
They are essential for steroid hormones, Vitamin D, and other biological functions.
What are some significant natural plant products related to steroids?
Cardiac glycosides, saponins, and steroidal alkaloids.
What is the scientific name of White Mustard?
Brassica alba.
What is the main constituent of White Mustard?
Sinalbin.
What does Sinalbin yield after hydrolysis?
Acrinyl isothiocyanate.
What is the purpose of the Ferric Chloride Test?
To identify non-volatile glycosides.
What is the scientific name of the plant that produces Steviosides?
Stevia rebaudiana.
How much sweeter are Steviosides compared to sugar?
200-300 times.
What is the scientific name of Red Sandalwood?
Pterocarpus santalinus.
What is the main constituent of Red Sandalwood?
Santalin.
What is the scientific name of Fishberry?
Anamirta cocculus.
What is the main constituent of Fishberry?
Picrotoxin.
Which glycoside is used as a treatment for idiopathic vitiligo?
Psoralens.
Which of the following is not a cardiac glycoside: Apocynum, Convallaria, Strophantus, or Green Hellebore?
Green Hellebore.
What is the aldehyde responsible for the aroma and taste of vanilla?
Vanillin.
What are tannins primarily composed of?
A mixture of polyphenols that do not crystallize.
What are the usual sources of tannins?
Barks and stems.
What are some uses of tannins?
Astringent, antidote to alkaloidal poisoning, precipitants, and in the tanning and dyeing industry.