Resin and resin combinations: Resin, oleo-resin, oleo-gum resin, tolu balsam and benzoin.

1. Page 1 of 5
Edited By: Jaytirmoy Barmon Resins and Resin Combinations
Lecturer, Pharmacy, Varendra University
Resins and Resin Combinations
Tripti Rani Paul
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacy
Varendra University, Rajshahi
Jaytirmoy Barmon Likhon
Lecturer
Department of Pharmacy
Varendra University, Rajshahi
Resins:
Resins are amorphous products with complex chemical nature such as resin acids,
resinotannoles, esters and resenes etc. They are usually formed in schizogeneous ducts or
cavities and they are end products of plant fluid metabolism.
Physical Properties of resin:
i. Physically resins are hard, transparent and translucent.
ii. When heated, they are soften and finally melt.
iii. Insoluble in water but dissolved in organic solvent like chloroform.
Chemical properties of Resins
i. Chemically they are complex mixtures of resin acids, resin alcohols, resinotannols,
esters and resenes.
ii. When evaporate they produce varnish like film layer.
iii. They produce smoky flame on burning.
Classification of Resins
Based on the occurrence in combinations resin can be classified into five groups-
1. Balsams
2. Oleoresins
3. Gum Resins
4. Oleo-gum resins
5. Glycoresins
1. Balsams:
Balsams are resinous substances which contains cinnamic acid, benzoic acid or both or esters
of these acids. Such as Tolu balsams, Peru balsams etc.
2. Oleoresins:
When resins occur with volatile oils the mixture is called Oleoresins. Such as capsicum,
turpentine, ginger etc.
3. Gum Resins
When resins are found in combination with gums, then such resins are known as gum resins.
Such as Asafoetida, Gambage.
4. Oleo- gum resins: Oleo-gum resins are associated with gum and volatile oil both. Such as
Myrrh, Ipomoea.

2. Page 2 of 5
Edited By: Jaytirmoy Barmon Resins and Resin Combinations
Lecturer, Pharmacy, Varendra University
5. Glycoresins (Glucoresins): Some resins are found in combination with glycosides are called
glycoresins. On hydrolysis they produce sugars and complex resin acids as aglycones.
Examples: Jalap, Podophyllum.
Chemical Constituents:
Chemically, the resins are complex mixtures of the following compounds:
1. Resin acids: These contain a large proportion of oxyacids, carboxylic acids and phenolic
acid. They are present in the free state or as esters. They are soluble in aqueous alkaline
solutions which form soap-like forth on shaking. Examples: oxycopsivic scid in Copaiba,
guaiaconic acid in Guainac.
2. Resin alcohols: Resin alcohols are complex molecules with high molecular weight. They
are present in the free state and as esters in combination with simple aromatic acids such as
benzoic acid, salicylic acid, cinnamic acid. They are further sub-devided as:
a. Resinotannols: e.g. aloeresinotannol from aloe
b. Resinols: e.g. guaiacresinol from guaiac
3. Resenes: It is a complex neutral compounds which do not respond to any chemical
reactions. They are insoluble in acids and alkalies and do not form any salt or esters.
Examples: copalresene from Copal, olibanoresene from Olibanum.
How to collect Pharmaceutical resins?
1. By extracting the resin with alcohol and precipitate in water. E.g. –Jalap,
podophyllum.
2. By separating the oils from oleoresins by distillation. E.g. Turpentine
3. By heating the plant parts.
4. By collecting the natural products from the plant by natural or artificial puncture.
5. By collecting the fossil resins. E.g. Capal and Kauri.
Tasks
1) What is pathological resins? [M. Ali-230]
2) How can you separate volatile oil and gum from oleo-gum resins?
3) Write the role of resins in plants.
4) Write the formation of resins in plants. [M. Ali-231]
5) Write pharmaceutical importance of resins
[Hints: Resin containing drugs possess purgative (Podophyllum), Cathertic (Ipomoea),
hydragogue (Jalap), Sedative (Cannabis), Counter-irritant (Capsicum), expectorant
(Tolu balsam) and laxative (Asafoetida) properties. Extremely resins are used as mild
antiseptic in the form of ointments and plasters. They are employed in the preparation
of emulsions.]
Purgatives: Agents that promote defecation largely by reducing the viscosity of the contents
of lower colon.
Laxatives: Agents that evacuate soft, formed stool without griping and without much loss of
water are called laxatives.
Cathartics: Agents that evacuate more fluid stool is called cathartics.

3. Page 3 of 5
Edited By: Jaytirmoy Barmon Resins and Resin Combinations
Lecturer, Pharmacy, Varendra University
Capsicum
It is the dried ripe fruits of Capsicum frutescens. It is known as African chillies.
Family: Solanaceae
Geographical Sources: Capsicum is indigenous to tropical America and cultivated in tropical
regions of India, Japan, Africa, Mexico and Sri Lanka.
Chemical Constituents: The fruit of most species of Capsicum contains capsaicin (methyl-n-
vanillyl nonenamide), a lipophilic chemical that can produce a strong burning sensation
(pungency or spiciness) in the mouth. Capsicum contains fixed oils, Oleoresin, carotenoids,
capsicol (a volatile alkaloid), volatile oil and ascorbic acid.
Uses:
i. Capsaicin is used in modern medicine, mainly in topical medications as a circulatory
stimulant and analgesic.
ii. In more recent times, an aerosol extract of capsaicin, usually known as capsicum or
pepper spray, has become used by law enforcement as a nonlethal means of
incapacitating a person, and in a more widely dispersed form for riot control, or by
individuals for personal defense.
iii. Capsicum is used as an irritant and carminative.
iv. It is used as a rubefacient.
v. It is also used as stimulant and a condiment.
vi. They are also frequently used both chopped and raw in salads, or cooked in stir-fries
or other mixed dishes.

4. Page 4 of 5
Edited By: Jaytirmoy Barmon Resins and Resin Combinations
Lecturer, Pharmacy, Varendra University
Ginger
Ginger is the dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale.
Family: Zingiberaceae
Geographical Sources: Ginger if found in Southern Asia, West Indies, China, Africa, India,
and cultivated in all tropical countries.
Chemical Constituents: Ginger contains acrid resinous substances, volatile oil, starch, protein
and sugar such as sucrose, raffinose and glucose. The pungency of ginger is due to gingerol.
The minor constituents of resin are gingediols, methyl gingediol.
Uses:
i. Ginger is used as an aromatic stimulant, carminative, condiment and flavoring agent.
ii. It is prescribed in dyspepsia, flatulent colic, vomiting spasms.
iii. It is used as an adjunct to many tonic and stimulating remedies for painful affections
of the stomach cold, cough and asthma.
iv. Sore-throat, hoarseness and loss of voice are sometimes benefited by chewing a piece
of ginger.

5. Page 5 of 5
Edited By: Jaytirmoy Barmon Resins and Resin Combinations
Lecturer, Pharmacy, Varendra University
Cannabis
Cannabis is the dried flowering tops of the pistillate plants of Cannabis sativa.
Family: Moraceae
Geographical Sources: Cannabis occurs in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran.
Chemical Constituents: Cannabis yields resin called hashish. It contains more than 60
compounds that are called cannabinoids. Some principal active compounds are
- Cannabinol
- Cannabidiol
- Cannabigerol
- Cannabichromene
Uses:
i. Cannabis is used as tonic, intoxicant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, analgesic, narcotic
and stomachic.
ii. When inhaled as smoke, it may cause euphoria, delirium, weakness, hyporeflexia and
drowsiness.
iii. It is drug of abuse