PCI syllabus, sem 4, Second year, UNIT 1(a) and (b) part

1. SOURCES OF CRUDE DRUGS.
ORGANIZED AND UNORGANIZED
DRUGDS
PREPARED BY
MRS. MEGHA S SHAH
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF PAHARMACOGNOSY
AISSMS COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, PUNE
1

2. SOURCES OF DRUGS
Plant sources
Animal sources
Mineral/ Earth sources
Microbiological sources
Semi synthetic sources/ Synthetic sources
Recombinant DNA technology
2

3. Plants
Plant source is the oldest source of drugs. Most of the drugs in ancient times were derived
from plants. Almost all parts of the plants are used i.e. leaves, stem, bark, fruits and roots etc
Leaves: The leaves of Digitalis purpurea are the source of Digitoxin and Digoxin, which are
cardiac glycosides.
Leaves of Eucalyptus give oil of Eucalyptus, which is important component of cough syrup.
Tobacco leaves give nicotine.
Atropa belladonna leaves gives atropine.
Flowers: Clove gives eugenol
Vinca rosea gives vincristine and vinblastine
Rose gives rose water used as tonic.
3

4. Plants
Fruits: Senna pod gives anthracene, which is a purgative (used in constipation)
Calabar beans give physostigmine, which is cholinomimetic agent.
Seeds: Seeds of Nux Vomica give strychnine, which is a CNS stimulant.
Castor seeds give castor oil.
Roots: Ipecacuanha root gives Emetine, used to induce vomiting as in accidental poisoning. It
also has amoebicidal properties.
Rauwolfia serpentina gives reserpine, a hypotensive agent. Reserpine was used for hypertension
treatment.
Bark: Cinchona bark gives quinine and quinidine, which are antimalarial drugs. Quinidine also
has antiarrythmic properties.
Stem: Kalmegh Hepatoprotective
4

5. Animal Sources
Certain animal parts and animal products are used as drug in therapeutic. The maor
group of animal products used in medicine is hormone, enzymes, animal, extractives
organs and bile acids as well.
Enzymes include pancreatin, pepsin, fibrinolysin, trypsin, chrymotrypsin, bile.
Hormones include Thyroid, conjugated oestrogens, Insulin, Gonadotropins,
Vasopressin, Oxytocin.
Pancreas is a source of Insulin, used in treatment of Diabetes.
Sheep thyroid is a source of thyroxin, used in hypertension.
Cod liver is used as a source of vitamin A and D.
Blood of animals is used in preparation of vaccines.
Cochineal (dried full grown female insects) consist of carminic acid used as colouring
agent for foods, drugs and for cosmetic products.
5

6. Mineral Sources
i. Metallic and Non metallic sources: Iron is used in treatment of iron deficiency anemia.
Mercurial salts are used in Syphilis.
Zinc is used as zinc supplement. Zinc oxide paste is used in wounds and in eczema.
Iodine is antiseptic. Iodine supplements are also used.
Gold salts are used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
ii)Miscellaneous Sources: Fluorine has antiseptic properties.
Borax has antiseptic properties as well.
Selenium as selenium sulphide is used in anti-dandruff shampoos.
Petroleum is used in preparation of liquid paraffin.
6

7. Marines
The greater part of the earth surface is covered by seas and ocean, which contains about
5,00,000 species of marine organisms.
Many of these compounds have shown pronounced biological activity. In the western
medicine agar, alginic acid, carrageenan, protamine sulphate, spermaceti & cod and
halibut liver oils are the established marine medicinal products.
Macroalgae or seaweeds have been used as crude drugs in the treatment of iodine
deficiency states such as goitre, etc. Some seaweed have also been utilized as sources of
additional vitamins and in the treatment of anaemia during pregnancy.
7

8. Marines
During the last 30–40 years numerous novel compounds have been isolated from
marine organisms having biological activities such as antibacterial, antiviral,
antitumour, antiparasitic, anticoagulants, antimicrobial, antiinflammatory and
cardiovascular active products.
Ara-A (Semisynthetic antiviral agent), Bryostatin (Anticancer agents)
Octopamine (Cardiovascular agent) Bio-indol derivatives (Antiinflammatory)
8

9. Plant tissue culture
Tissue culture is in vitro cultivation of plant cell or tissue under aseptic and controlled
environmental conditions, in liquid or on semisolid well-defined nutrient medium for the
production of primary and secondary metabolites or to regenerate plant.
This technique affords alternative solution to problems arising due to current rate of
extinction and decimation of flora and ecosystem. The whole process requires a well-
equipped culture laboratory and nutrient medium.
This process involves various steps, viz. preparation of nutrient medium containing inorganic
and organic salts, supplemented with vitamins, plant growth hormone(s) and amino acids as
well as sterilization of explant (source of plant tissue), glassware and other accessories
inoculation and incubation.
Applications: Production of Phytopharmaceuticals, Biochemical Conversions, Clonal
Propagation (Micro-propagation), Production of Immobilized Plant Cell
9

10. Synthetic/ Semi synthetic Sources
I. Synthetic Sources: When the nucleus of the drug from natural source as
well as its chemical structure is altered, we call it synthetic.
Examples include Emetine Bismuth Iodide
II. Semi Synthetic Source: When the nucleus of drug obtained from natural
source is retained but the chemical structure is altered, we call it semi-
synthetic.
Examples include Apomorphine, Diacetyl morphine, Ethinyl Estradiol,
Homatropine, Ampicillin and Methyl testosterone. Most of the drugs used
now a days (such as antianxiety drugs, anti-convulsants) are semisynthetic
forms.
10

11. Microbiological Sources
Microorganism are source of many immunizing biological like various vaccine production Virus
vaccine (small pox, Rabies vaccine, Influenza vaccine, Poliomyelitis vaccine, Measles virus,
Yellow fever vaccine, Hepatitis virus vaccine)
Bacterial vaccine (Typhoid vaccine, BCG vaccine, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Pertusis or
whooping cough, Plague vaccine, Cholera vaccine)
Penicillium notatum is a fungus which gives penicillin. Actino bacteria give Streptomycin.
Aminoglycosides such as gentamicin and tobramycin are obtained from streptomycis and
micromonosporas.
Rickettsial vaccine: group of very small gram negative microorganism. Used for producing active
immunity, against typhus fever.
Tetanus toxoid and diptheria toxoid.
11

12. Biosynthetic sources (genetically engineered drugs)
This is relatively a new field which is being developed by mixing
discoveries from molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology,
DNA alteration, gene splicing, immunology and immune
pharmacology.
Drugs developed using living organisms with the help of
biotechnology or genetic engineering are known as biologics,
biopharmaceuticals, recombinant DNA expressed products,
bioengineered, or genetically engineered drugs Examples include
recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine, recombinant insulin and others.
12

13. Recombinant DNA technology: Recombinant DNA technology involves cleavage
of DNA by enzyme restriction endonucleases.
The desired gene is coupled to rapidly replicating DNA (viral, bacterial or plasmid)
The new genetic combination is inserted into the bacterial cultures which allow
production of vast amount of genetic material.
Advantages: Huge amounts of drugs can be produced. Drug can be obtained in pure
form. It is less antigenic. Disadvantages: Well equipped lab is required. Highly
trained staff is required. It is a complex and complicated technique.
13

14. Organized drugs Unorganized Drugs
As the term indicates these are organs of plants or
animals and made up of cells or definite structure.
These drugs are named as flowers, seeds, fruits,
insects etc.
These are derived from parts of plants or animal
by some process of extraction, distillation,
incision, expression, exudates, secretion
purification. E.g Juices, extracts, resins etc.
Solid in nature Solid, semisolid or liquid in nature e.g oils, gums
and balsams.
Botanical or zoological terminology can be used
to describe these drugs.
Such terminology is inadequate to describe them,
but one has to look for their physical characters,
such as solubility in various solvents, density,
optical rotation, refractive Index, viscosity etc
Microscopic characters T.S, L.S are one of the
important criteria for the identification of
organised drugs.
Chemical test and physical standards are
confirmatory tests.
Example: Digitalis, Cinchona, Fennel, Clove,
Ephedra
Example: Aloe, Agar, Colophony, Opium, Castor
oil, bees wax, Pepsin
14

15. 15

16. Organized Drugs
In this system, the drugs are arranged according to the
morphological or external characters of the plant parts or
animal parts, i.e. which part of the plant is used as a drug,
e.g. leaves, roots, stem, etc. The drugs obtained from the
direct parts of the plants and containing cellular tissues are
called as organized drugs.
e.g. rhizomes, barks, leaves, fruits, entire plants, hairs and
fibres.
16

17. Organized Drugs
Woods
Quassia, Sandalwood
and Red Sandalwood.
Leaves
Digitalis, Eucalyptus,
Gymnema, Mint, Senna,
Spearmint, Squill, Tulsi,
Vasaka, Coca, Buchu,
Hamamelis, Hyoscyamus,
Belladonna, Tea.
Barks
Arjuna, Ashoka, Cascara,
Cassia, Cinchona,
Cinnamon, Kurchi,
Quillia, Wild cherry.
17

18. Organized Drugs
Fruits
Amla, Anise, Bael, Bahera, Bitter
Orange peel, Capsicum, Caraway,
Cardamom, Colocynth, Coriander,
Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Gokhru,
Hirda, Lemon peel, Senna pod,
Star anise, Tamarind, Vidang.
Flowering parts
Clove, Pyrethrum,
Saffron, Santonica,
Chamomile.
Seeds
Bitter almond, Black Mustard,
Cardamom, Colchi-cum,
Ispaghula, Kaladana, Linseed,
Nutmeg, Nux vomica,
Physostigma, Psyllium,
Strophanthus, White mustard.
18

19. Organized Drugs
Roots and Rhizomes
Aconite, Ashwagandha, Calamus,
Calumba, Colchicum corm, Dioscorea,
Galanga, Garlic, Gention, Ginger,
Ginseng, Glycyrrhiza, Podophyllum,
Ipecac, Ipomoea, Jalap, Jatamansi,
Rauwolfia, Rhubarb, Sassurea, Senega,
Shatavari, Turmeric, Valerian, Squill.
Plants and Herbs
Ergot, Ephedra, Bacopa,
Andrographis, Kalmegh,
Yeast, Vinca, Datura,
Centella
Hair and Fibres
Cotton, Hemp, Jute, Silk,
Flax
19

20. Unorganized Drugs
Unorganized drugs, even though prepared from plants are not the direct parts of
plants and are prepared by some intermediary physical processes, such as incision,
drying or extraction with water and do not contain cellular tissue.
Thus aloe, opium, catechu, gums, resins and other plant exudates are unorganized
drugs.
20

21. Latex
Latex is a product present
in special tissue of plant it is
white, aqueous, suspension.
The suspended particles
are protein, sugar, minerals,
alkaloid, resin, or starch.
Under microscope-small
particles of oil globules. E.g.
opium, papain, ficin, gutta
percha
21

22. Dried Juice
The juices obtained from fleshy
leaves (aloes) or from the stems
of the trees (kino). Incision are
made to respective part of the
plant and juice coming out is
collected and dried.
Oleoresins
Oleoresins is the
Homogenous mixture of
volatile oil & resin is
called as oleoresin e.g.
Oleoresin of Ginger,
Turmeric, Capsicum
Dried extracts
Pharmacognostic origin drugs are
obtained by treating the part of plant
with water or distillation followed by
concentration. Pharmaceutical origin
drugs are obtained by alcoholic or
hydro- alcoholic solutions and
adjusting the product to a standard
strength. e.g. Agar, black catechu,
gelatin
22

23. Oleo- gum –resins
It is Homogenous mixture of volatile oil, gum & resin. e.g.Myrrh, Asafoetida
Sometime they also contain other substance like enzymes.
Resin found in different parts of plant (i) External gland: Cannabis
(ii) Heart wood of certain wood: red sander
(iii) Internal gland of plants: Male fern
Gland on the surface of insects: Shellac
Internal cavities producing resins in plant may be unicellular (Ginger,
Capsicum, Jalap) or Multicellular (clove)
Cavities producing resin may be schizogenous/schizolysigenous according to
their mode of origin.
Resin are usually formed by plants as their normal physiological products,
sometime pathological productand are produced when plants are inured
23

24. Gums
Translucent and Amorphous substances produced when the plant. Usually they are pathological products
and are produced when plant is going under unfavourable condition or injured. Thus, they are abnormal
products of plant metabolism. The process known as Gummosis.
Properties of Gum: Soluble or Partly soluble in water, insoluble in alcohol and most organic solvents
Form viscous adhesive solution with water either by swelling or due to absorption.
Aqueous solution of gum are usually levo rotatary.
Gum are plant hydrocolloids may be anionic or non-ionic polysaccharides.
On hydrolysis (acidic hydrolysis/boiling) with water) it yield sugar and Uronic acid which form salt
with calcium & magnesium.
Uronic acids are glucoronic acid, galacturonic acid or aldobionic acid.
Example: Acacia, Tragacanth, Karaya gum, Ghatti gum, Guar gum
24

25. Difference Between Gums and Mucilage
Gum Mucilage
Gums are produced by plant when it injured ,
diseased or by aprocess " Gummosis“
Mucilage is the normal products of plant
growth.
Gum is produced outside the plant cell. Mucilage is produced inside the cell.
Gums are soluble in water to form adhesive
solution.
Mucilage are not soluble in water, they form
slimy solution with water.
Gums are made up of sugar, salts of uronic acid
e.g. Gum acacia, gum Tragacanth
Mucilage is made up of ester & Sulphuric acid.
e. g. Mucilage is present in Agar, Senna,
Isapgol.
25

26. Mucilage
Mucilage are also plant products similar to gums and are regarded to be the normal products of plant
metabolism. Mucilage are produced inside the cell of the plant.
Properties: Mucilage form slimy masses with water, but do not dissolve. Mucilage are esters of
sulphuric acid, wherein ester group is a polysaccharide complex.
Various example along with method of formation of mucilage are given below.
(a) From the cell wall of seed epidermis: Isabgol, linseed
(b) From Endodermis: Fenugreek (c)From Leaf epidermis: Senna
(d) From Bark: Cinamon (e) From Special secretion cells: Squill
(f) From Algae: Agar, Chondrus
26

27. QUESTION BANK
1. Difference between gum and mucilage. 2 marks
2. What is mucilage? Mention its properties. 2 marks
3. Difference between organized and unorganized drugs with example.
5 marks
4. A Brief Note on Unorganized drugs. 5 marks
5. A Brief note on Organized drugs. 5 marks
27

28. QUESTION BANK
6. Note on Plant as source of crude drugs. 5 marks
7. Animal as a source of crude drug Explain it. 5 marks
8. Marine as a source of Crude drugs. 2 Marks
9. Describe Plant tissue culture as a source of crude drugs. 5 marks
10. Briefly describe microorganism as source of crude drugs 5 marks
11. Explain in brief Sources of Crude drugs. 10 marks
28

29. CLASSIFICATION OF CRUDE DRUGS
PREPARED BY
MRS. MEGHA S SHAH
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF PAHARMACOGNOSY
AISSMS COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, PUNE
29

30. Objective of Study
The most important natural sources of drugs are higher plant, microbes,
animals and marine organisms.
Some useful products are obtained from minerals that are both organic
and inorganic in nature.
In order to pursue (or to follow) the study of the individual drugs, one
must adopt some particular sequence of arrangement, and this is referred
to a system of classification of drugs.
A method of classification should be: a) Simple, b) Easy to use, and c)
Free from confusion and ambiguities.
30

31. CRUDE DRUGS
The term ’’crude drug’’ generally applies to the products from plant
and animal origin found in a raw form.
The term crude drug also applied to inclusion of pharmaceutical
products from mineral kingdom.
Because of their wide distribution the arrangement of classification in a
definite sequence is necessary to understand easily. Although each
system of classification has its own merits and demerits, but for the
purpose of study the drugs are classified in the different ways.
31

32. 32

33. Alphabetical Classification
The crude drugs are arranged according to the alphabetical order/form of their
Latin and English names.
Some of the Pharmacopoeias and reference books which classify crude drugs
according to this system are as follows.
Eg. Acacia, Agar, Benzoin, Beeswax, Cinchona, Cinnamon, Digitalis, Datura,
Ephedra, Fennel, Ginger, Henna, Isapagol, Jalap, Kino, Linseed, Mustard, Nutmeg,
Opium, podophyllum, quassia, rauwolfia, senna, Tinospora Cordifolia, Uncaria
gambier, vasaka, wool fat, yellow bees wax, zedoary
33

34. Alphabetical Classification
1)Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 1955 (Latin)
2)Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 1966 (English)
3)British Pharmacopoeia (BP) (English)
4)British Pharmacopoeia Codex (BPC) (English)
5)United States of Pharmacopoeia (USP) (English)
6)European Pharmacopoeia (Latin)
34

35. Alphabetical Classification
Advantages:
It is simple method, in this system location, tracing and addition of the drug is
easy,
No technical person is required for handling the system.
Disadvantages:
Scientific nature of the drug cannot be identified by this method, whether they
are organised or unorganised drug.
This system does not help in distinguishing the drugs of plant, animal and
mineral source. (Original source is not clear)
35

36. Morphological classification
Crude drugs are arranged according to the part of the plant or
animal represented into organized and unorganized drugs.
The organized drugs are divided into parts of plants like leaves,
flowers, fruits, seeds, woods, barks, and subterranean parts like
roots and rhizomes.
The unorganized drugs are dried latex, gums, extracts, etc.
36

37. Morphological classification
Organised drugs
(Plant) (Cellular
drugs)
Plant parts Drugs
Leaves Datura, Senna, Vasaka, Digitalis
Barks Cinnamon, Cinchona, Kurchi,
Wood Quassia, Sandalwood, Red sanders
Roots Rauwolfia, Liquorice, Ipecac
Rhizomes Ginger, Podophyllum, Turmeric
Flowers Clove, Saffron, Pyrethrum
Seeds Nux vomica, Linseed, Isapgol
Fruits Fennel, Coriander, Dill
Stems Ephedra
Hair and Fibres Cotton, Hemp, Jute
37

38. Morphological classification
Unorganised
drugs (Acellular
drugs)
Plant, animal, Mineral Drugs
Dried latex Opium, Papain
Dried Juice Aloe, Kino
Dried extracts Agar, Catechu, Pectin
Gums Acacia, Tragacanth, Sterculia
Resins Benzoin, Colophony, Asafoetida
Fixed oils and fats Castor , Chaulmoogra, Cotton seed
Waxes Beeswax, Spermaceti
Volatile oils Coriander, Cinnamon, Clove
Animal products Bees wax, Shark liver oil, Gelatin
Minerals Bentonite, Kaolin, Talc
38

39. Morphological classification
Advantages
This system of classification is more convenient for practical study especially when the
chemical nature of the drug is not clearly understood.
This type of classification is very useful in identifying the adulterants used.
Disadvantages
It does not give an idea about biological source, chemical constituents and uses.
When different parts of the plant contain different chemical constituents, it is difficult to
classify them.
There is no correlation between chemical constituents and therapeutic actions.
Repetition of drugs or plants may occurs.
39

40. Taxonomical classification
In this system the drug are arranged according to taxonomical studies. The drugs are
arranged according to their phylum, order, family, genus and species.
It is purely a type of botanical classification or biological classification and restricted
mainly to crude drugs from plant source.
The crude drugs of plant origin are classified on the basis of one of the accepted systems of
botanical classification.
A large number of plant families have certain distinguishing characteristics that permit
crude drugs from these families to be studied at one time.
40

41. Taxonomical classification
Phylum Spermatophyta
Division Angiospermae
Class Dicotyledons
Sub class Sympetalae
Order Tubiflorae
Family Solanaceae
Genus Hyoscymus, Datura, Atropa,
Species Hyoscymus niger, Datura stramonium, Atropa belladona
41

42. Taxonomical classification
Phylum Thallophyta
Class Ascomycetes
Order Clavicipitales
Family Clavicipitaceae
Genus Claviceps
species Claviceps purpurea
42

43. Taxonomical classification
Advantages
Easy for the classification of crude drugs
Disadvantages
The system is criticized for its failure to recognize the organised / unorganised nature
of crude drugs in their morphological studies.
The system fails to face into an account chemical nature of active constituent and
therapeutic significance of crude drugs.
The drugs obtained from plants having alternate leaves, flowers, seeds, capsules
(Hyocyamus, Datura, Bellodonna, Stromonium) are considered with other members of
solanaceae.
43

44. Pharmacological (Therapeutic) classification
Here, the crude drugs are grouped according to pharmacological action
(Therapeutic action) of their chief active constituent (most important) or
therapeutic uses.
The drug differing in mechanism of action, but with the same pharmacological
effect are grouped together. e.g bulk purgative, irritant purgative, emollient
purgative.
Some of the drug could be classified under two pharmacological heading, since
they exhibit two different actions.
44

45. Pharmacological (Therapeutic) classification
1.Drugs acting on gastro intestinal Tract
Bitter-Gentian, Quassia, cinchona
Carminative-Dill, Mentha, Cadamon
Emetics-Ipeca cuanha
Anti-amoebics-Kurchi, Ipeca caunha
Bulk laxatives-Agar, Ispaghuha, Banana
Purgatives-Senna, Castor oil
Peptic ulcer treatment-Derivative of
Glycyrrhetinic acid , Raw banana
2. Drugs acting on respiratory system
Anti-expectorant- stramonium leaves
(Atropine)
Anti-tussives-Opium
Bronchodialators- Ephedra, Tea
45

46. Pharmacological (Therapeutic) classification
3.Drugs acting on cardiovascular system
Cardiotoics -Digitalis, Squill,
Strophanthus
Cardiac depressant -Cinchona, Veratrum
Vasco-constrictors -Ergot, Ephedra
Anti-hypertensives -Rauwolfia
4. Drugs acting on autonomic nervous
system
Adrenergic-Ephedra
Cholinergic-Physostigma, Pilocarpus
Anticholinergics -Belladona, Datura
46

47. Pharmacological (Therapeutic) classification
5. Drugs acting on CNS
Central analgesics -Opium
CNS stimulants -Coffee
Analeptics -NuxVomica, Lobelia,
Camphor
CNS depressants -Hyoscymus,
Belladona, Opium
Hallucinogenics -cannabis, Poppy Latex
6. Anticancer
Vinca,
Podophyllum,
Campotheca,
Taxus
47

48. Pharmacological (Therapeutic) classification
7. Antispasmodics
Smooth muscle relaxants
Opium(Papavarine), Datura,
Hyoscymus
Skeletal muscle relaxants-Curare
8. Immunomodulatoryagents
Ashwagandha,
Tulsi,
Ginseng,
Asparagus,
Picrorrhiza,
Kurroa
48

49. Pharmacological (Therapeutic) classification
9. Antirheumatics-Aconite, Colchicum, Guggul
10.Anthelmintics-Quassia, Male Fern, Vidang
11.Drugs acting on skin and mucous membrane-Olive oil, wool fat, Beeswax, Balsam
of tolu
12.Astringents-Myrobalan, Black catechu
13. Anti-malarials-Cinchona, Artemisia
14. Local anesthetics-Coca
15.Immunising agents-vaccines, Sera, Toxoids, Antitoxins
49

50. Pharmacological (Therapeutic) classification
Advantages
The special advantage is that if even chemical constituents of the crude drugs are not
known they can be classified properly on the basis of therapeutic or pharmacological
uses.
Disadvantages
Regardless of morphology, taxonomical status or chemical nature, the drugs are
grouped together, provided they exhibit similar pharmacological uses.
Eg: Senna, Castor oil, Jalap, Colocynth are grouped together as purgatives/laxatives
because of their common pharmacological action.
50

51. Chemical Classifications
Here, the crude drugs are divided into different groups according to the
chemical nature of their most important constituent present in the drug to
which the pharmacological/therapeutic activity of drug is attributed.
51

52. Chemical Classifications
Chemical constituents Drugs
Alkaloids Datura, Vasaka, Vinca, Lobelia
Glycosides Cascara, Senna, Digitalis
Tannins Catechu, Myrobalan, Ashoka
Volatile oil Clove, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon
Lipids Castor oil, Beeswax, Arachis oil
Carbohydrates and derived
products
Acacia, Agar, Honey, Linseed Tragacanth, Starch
Resins Colophony, Benzoin
Vitamins & hormones Yeast, Shark liver oil, Insulin
Proteins & enzymes Gelatin, Papain
52

53. Chemical Classifications
Advantages
Chemical constituents are known
Medicinal uses are known
Disadvantages
Drugs of different origin are grouped under similar chemical titles.
This type of classification makes no proper placement of drugs containing two different
types of chemicals.
Eg: Certain drugs are found to contain alkaloids and glycosides (Cinchona), Fixed oil
and volatile oil (Nutmeg) of equal importance together and hence it is difficult to
categorize them properly
53

54. Chemo-taxonomical Classification
This system of classification relies on the chemical similarity of a taxon, i.e. it is based
on the existence of relationship between constituents in various plants. There are certain
types of chemical constituents that characterize certain classes of plants.
This gives birth to entirely a new concept of chemotaxonomy that utilizes chemical
facts/characters for understanding the taxonomical status, relationships and the
evolution of the plants.
Eg: Tropane alkaloids generally occur in most of the members of Solanaceae
Eg: Volatile oils occur in the members of Umbelliferae and Rutaceae.
It is the latest system of classification that gives more scope for understanding the
relationship between chemical constituents, their biosynthesis and their possible action.
54

55. SEROTAXONOMICAL CLASSIFICATION
The serotaxonomy can be explained as the study about the application or the utility of
serology in solving the taxonomical problems. Antibodies are highly specific protein
molecule produced by plasma cells in the immune system. Protein are carriers of the
taxonomical information and commonly used as antigen in serotaxonomy.
It express the similarities and the dissimilarities among different taxa and these data
are helpful in taxonomy. It determines the degree of similarity between species, genera,
family, etc, by comparing the reaction with antigens from various plant taxa with
antibodies present against a given taxon.
Serology helps in comparing nonmorphological characterisics, which helps in the
taxonomical data. This technique also helps in the comparision of single proteins from
different plant taxon.
55

56. QUESTION BANK
1. Define crude drug 2 marks
2. Name the various methods of classification of crude drugs. 2 marks
3. What do you mean by organised (Cellular) and unorganised ( Acellular )
crude drugs give examples 5 marks
4. Describe morphological classification of crude drugs with examples
5 marks
5. Explain chemical classification of crude drugs with examples 5 marks
56

57. QUESTION BANK
6.Explain chemical classification of crude drugs with examples 5 marks
7.Explain pharmacological or therapeutic classification of crude drugs with
examples 5 marks
8. Write in detail alphabetical and taxonomical or botanical classification of
crude drugs 5 marks
9. Define chemotaxonomy. Give its significances or importance's 5 marks
10. Explain the differences between organised and unorganised crude drugs.
5 marks
11. Define crude drug. Explain various methods of classification of crude drugs
with examples 10 marks
57

58. 58