Crude drugs are plant, animal or their parts which after collection are subjected only to drying or making them into transverse/ longitudinal slices pieces or peeling them in some cases. They exist in natural form. Crude drugs may be derived from various natural sources like Plants, Animals, Minerals, Marine and Micro-organisms etc

1. CLASSIFICATIONOF CRUDEDRUGS
K.Sudheer Kumar,
Associate Professor.
Dept.of Pharmacognosy
MAK College of Pharmacy , Hyderabad.
E-mail:sudheer.y2k8@gmail.com

2. Classification of crude Drugs
• Crude drug i.e Simple drug
• Crude drugs are plant, animal or their parts which
after collection are subjected only to drying or
making them into transverse/ longitudinal slices
pieces or peeling them in some cases. They exist in
natural form.
• Crude drugs may be derived from various natural
sources like Plants, Animals, Minerals, Marine and
Micro-organisms etc.

3. Crude drugs are further grouped as ORGANISED (CELLULAR) or UNORGANISED
(NON-CELLULAR) according to wh ether they contain a regularly organised
cellular structure or not.

4. • 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 following different ways
 Alphabetical classification
 Morphological classification
 Taxonomical classification
 Pharmacological classification
 Chemical classification
 Chemo-taxonomical classification
 Serotaxonomical classification
CLASSIFICATION OF CRUDE DRUGS

5. 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.
1. Indian Pharmacopoeia. (IP) 1955 (Latin) , (IP) 1966 (English)
2. British Pharmacopoeia. (BP) (English) , (BPC) (English)
3. United States Pharmacopoeia & National Formulary, (USP) (English)
4. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.
5. British Pharmaceutical Codex.
6. European Pharmacopoeia (Latin Titles).
7. Encyclopedia of common Natural ingredients used in Drugs and
cosmetics.

6. e.g.: Acacia, Benzoin, Cinchona, Dill, Ergot, Fennel,
Gentian, Hyoscyamus, Ipecacuanha, Jalap, Kurchi,
Iiquorice, Myrrh, Nux-vomica, Opium, Podophyllum,
Quassia, Rauwolfia, Senna, Uncaria gambier, Vasaka,
Wool fat, Yellow bees wax, Zedoary.

7. 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)

8. Morphological classification
• Here the crude drugs are arranged (Grouped) according to
the part of the plant or animal represented into organised
(Cellular) drugs and unorganised ( Acellular ) drugs.
Organised (Cellular):
• Drugs are the direct parts of the plant and are divided into
leaves, barks wood, root, rhizome, seed, fruit, flower, stem,
hair and fibers.

9. Unorganised ( Acellular):
• Drugs are the products of plant, animal and mineral source
and they are divided into dried latex, dried juice, dried
extracts, gums, resins, fixed oils and fats, waxes, volatile oil,
animal products, minerals (Solids, liquids, semi solids etc).

10. Plant parts Drugs
Leaves Datura, Senna, Vasaka, Digitalis,
Barks Cinnamon, Cinchona, Kurchi,
Wood Quassia, Sandalwood
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
Organised drugs (Plant) (Cellular drugs)

11. Plant, animal, Mineral Drugs
Dried latex Opium, Papain
Dried Juice Aloe Vera
Dried extracts Agar, Catechu, Pectin
Gums Acacia, Tragacanth, Stericulia
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
Unorganised drugs (Acellular drugs)

12. 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.

13. Chemical classification
• 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.

14. 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, Benjoin,
Vitamins & hormones Yeast, Shark liver oil, Insulin
Proteins & enzymes Gelatin, Papain,

15. 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

16. 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.

17. Phylum Order Family Drugs
Angiosperms
(Monocotyledons)
Liliflorae
Microspermae
Liliaccae
Dioscoriaceae
Colchicum, Asparagus
Dioscorea, Vanilla
Angiosperms
(Dicotyledons)
Papaverales Papaveraceae Opium
Rosales Rosales Almond, Rose oil
Leguminaceae Glycyrihiza, Senna
Rutales Rutaceae Bael,Lemon, Orange
Rhamnales Rhamnaceae Cascara
Malvales Malvaceae Cotton
Umbelliflorae Umbelliferae Coriander,Caraway,
Fennel
Gentianales Loganiaceae Nuxvomica
Gentianceae Chirata
Apocyanaceae Kurchi, Strophanthus

18. 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.

19. Pharmacological classification
• Here, the crude drugs are grouped according to pharmacological action
(Therapeutic action) of their chief active constituent (most important) or
therapeutic uses.
• This system of classification involoves the grouping of crude drugs
according to the pharmacological action of their active constituents or
their therapeutic uses, regardless of their morphology, taxonomical status,
or chemical relationships.
• The drugs differing in mechanism of action but having same
pharmacological effects are also grouped together,
e.g. bulk purgatives, irritant purgatives, emollient purgatives

20. • Bitter - Quassia, Cinchona, Gentian
• Carminatives - Dill, Clove, Fennel, Coriander
• Emetics - Ipecac
• Anti-amoebic - Kurchi, Ipecac
• Bulk Laxatives - Agar, Isapgol
• Purgatives - Senna, Castor oil
• Expectorant - Liquorice, Vasaka, Ipecac
• Antitussive - Opium
• Bronchodilators - Ephedra, Tea
• Cardio- tonics - Digitalis, Squill, Stropanthus

21. • Cardiac depressant - Cinchona, Veratrum
• Antihypertensive - Rauwolfia
• Central analgesics - Opium
• CNS stimulants - Coffee
• CNS depressants - Opium
• Antispasmodics - Bellodonna
• Anticancer - Vinca, Podophyllum, Cochicum
• Antirheumatics - Aconite, Guggul, Colchicum
• Anthelmintics - Vidang, Quassia, Malefern
• Astringents - Catechu.
• Antimalarials - Cinchona, Artemisia.
• Local anesthetics - Coca

22. Bitters - Gentian, Quassia, Cinchona
Carminatives - Dill, Mentha, Cardamom
Emetics - Ipecacuanha
Anti-amoebics - Kurchi, Ipecauanha
Bulk laxatives - Agar, Isapghula, Banana
Purgatives - Senna, Castor oil
Peptic ulcer - Derivatives of Glycyrrhitinic acid
treatment ( Liqourice and Raw banana)
DRUGS ACTING ON GASTRO-INTESTINAL TRACT

23. Cardiotonics - Digitalis, Squill, Strophanthus
Cardiac depressants - Cinchona (quinidine), Veratrum
Vaso-constrictors - Ergot (ergotamine), Ephedra
Antihypertensives - Rauwolfia
DRUGS ACTING ON RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Expectorant - Liqourice, Ipecacuanha, Vasaka
Antiexpectorant - Stramonium leaves (Atropine)
Antitussives - Opium (Codeine, Noscapine)
Brochodilators - Ephedra, Tea (Theophylline)
DRUGS ACTING ON CARDIO-VASCULAR SYSTEMS

24. Central analgesics - Opium (morphine)
CNS Stimulants - Coffee ( caffeine)
Analeptics - Nux-vomica, Lobelia, Camphor
CNS depressants - Hyoscyamus, Belladonna, opium,
Hellucinogenics - Cannabis, Poppy Latex
DRUGS ACTING ON AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEMS
Adrenergics - Ephedra
Cholinergics - Physostima, Pilocarpus
Anticholinergics - Belladona, Datura
DRUGS ACTING ON CNS

25. ANTISPASMODICS
Smooth Muscle Relaxants - Opium, Datura, Hyoscyamus
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants - Curare
ANTICANCER: Vinca, Podophyllum, Taxus, Camptotheca
ANTIRHEUMATICS: Aconite, Colchicum, Guggul
ASTRINGENTS: Myrobalan, Black Catechu

26. 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.

27. Chemo-taxonomical classification
• In this system of classification, the equal importance is given for taxonomical
status and chemical constituents. There are certain types of chemical
constituents which are characteristics of certain classes of plants.
• The character most often studied in chemotaxonomy are secondary
metabolites of pharmaceutical significance such as alkaloids, glycosides,
flavonoids, etc. DNA hybridization, amino acid sequencing in proteins, and
serotaxonomy are also gaining significance in this method of classification
• Eg: Tropane alkaloids generally occur in most of the members of Solanaceae
• Eg: Volatile oils occur in the members of Umbelliferae and Rutaceae.

28. Primary constituents
Primary metabolites Primary metabolites are the compounds that are involved
in the fundamental metabolic pathways. Most of the primary metabolites are of
universal occurrence and utilized by the plant itself for growth and
development. These compounds are ubiquitous in nature and hence play little
role in chemotaxonomic classification.
Secondary metabolites
Secondary metabolites are the compounds that usually perform non-essential
functions in the plants. They are used for protection and defense against
predators and pathogens. These compounds are of restricted occurrence and
hence very useful for chemotaxonomic classification. Some of the major group
of secondary metabolites includes glycoside, alkaloid, volatile oil, flavonoid,
plant phenols and terpenoids.

29. Serotaxonomical Classification
Serology is defined as that portion of biology, which is concerned with the
nature and interactions of antigenic material and antibodies. Smith (1976)
defined it as “the study of the origins and properties of antisera.” When foreign
cells or particles (antigens) are introduced into an organism, antibodies are
produced in the blood (antiserum).
The substance capable of stimulating the formation of an antibody is called
antigen and the highly specific protein molecule produced by plasma cells in the
immune system in response to the antigen is called antibody.

30. Phytoserology, which deals with immunochemical reactions, between serum
antibodies and antigens, has also established itself as a valid method in
systematics, because it helps to detect homologous proteins.
It uses the specific properties of antisera produced by animals against plant
proteins as characters to assess plant relationships.
Serotaxonomy developed and became popular in Germany, which has been an
active center since the beginning of this century

31. Serotaxonomy The classification of very similar plants by means of differences
in the proteins they contain. The technique is based on the highly specific
relationship between antigens and the antibodies produced in response to
them. Protein extracted from a plant is injected into the blood of an animal,
where it behaves as an antigen. After an interval for the production of
antibodies, a blood sample is taken. This can be used to compare the first plant
protein (antigen) with extracts taken from other plants.

32. The study of antigen-antibody reaction is called serology. The substance
capable of stimulating the formation of an antibody is antigen. A specific
protein molecule produced by plasma cell in the immune system is antibody.
The antibodies combine chemically with specific antigen and this
combination elevates an immune response. The application of serology in
solving taxonomic problems is called serotaxonomy.

33. Nuttal was the first biologist to compare immunochemical specificity of
serum proteins for systematic purposes in 1901. Later in 1910, Dunbar
showed theta proteins from pollen, seed and leaves of rice were
serologically distinct. In 1914, Gholke established serology school in
Germany and later Germany became the center of serological studies.

34. PROCESS OF SEROTAXONOMY
The process of serotaxonomy involves the following steps
1. The protein extract of the plant origin i.e. the antigen is extracted.
2. The antigen is injected into the blood stream of an experimental animal to
form antibodies.
3. The experimental animal produces specific antibody in response to the
antigen.
4. The serum with antibodies is called antiserum. Antiserum is made to react
in vitro with antigenic protein as well as proteins of other taxa, whose
affinities are to be determined.
5. The amount of precipitation shows the degree of homology.

35. For example, to know the closeness of the taxon A with B, C, D, E
The proteins from A are extracted and are injected into the experimental animal
rabbit or mice. The experimental animal in return produces antibodies. These
antibodies are extracted from the blood of the experimental animal in the form
of antiserum.
When this antiserum is allowed to react with the original protein extract from A,
complete coagulation takes place.
When this antiserum is allowed to react with the protein extracts from other
taxa B, C, D, E the degree of coagulation varies.
The degrees of coagulation are compared to know the closeness of the taxa.
More the degree of coagulation more is the closeness.

36. INITIATION OF AN IMMUNOLOGICAL REACTION IN PLANTS
Antiserum gives a precipitation reaction with the plant extract (antigen-antibody
reaction). Similarity of other species to the first one can be assessed by measuring
the amount of coagulation it causes
Gel Diffusion Method
In this procedure, antigen and antibodies may be allowed to react in a gel.
The quantitative precipitation in solution is frequently replaced by the more
convenient ‘Gel diffusion method’.
Absorption
Protein mixtures of different plants often contain some common proteins. In this
method, the removal of the antibodies for such common proteins from the
antiserum is carried out. As the antiserum now contains only those antibodies
which can react with specific proteins, logical comparisons can be drawn from
precipitation reactions.

37. Immunoelectrophoresis
This is a combination of serological and electrophoresis procedures. Initially, the
antigens are separated by electrophoresis on a gel and then allowed to diffuse
towards the antiserum. This method is much more specific, as better antigenic
separations occur.
Radio-Immuno Assay
In this procedure, the antigens or antibodies are labelled with radioactivity, which
facilitates their identification, even though they are in small concentrations.
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Enzymes couple their catalytic activity with a specific immunoglobulin, which forms
the basis for the estimation. This is used for example in tests like ELISA (Enzyme
Linked Immunosorbent Assay), which involve the labelling of either the antigens or
antibodies and linking this with enzymes for detecting them even in minute
quantities.

38. IMPORTANCE OF SEROTAXONOMY
In 1983, Fairbrothers used serological data in classification of orders and
assignment of families in Apiales, Fagales, Magnoliales, Juglandales, Rubiales,
Ranunculales etc
Again in 1959, Fairbrothers and Jhonson separated six species of Bromus on
the basis of the serological data.
On the basis of the serotaxonomic studies Fairbrothers and Jhonson showed
that genera Magnolia and Michelia show closest affinity within Magnoliaceae
Simon in 1971 demonstrated close relationship between Nymphaeaceae and
nelumbonaceae based on serological data.
Klos applied serotaxonomic data in the classification of Leguminosae.

39. 1. Define crude drug
2. Name the various methods of classification of crude drugs.
3. What do you mean by organised ( Cellular) and unorganised ( Acellular ) crude drugs
give examples
4. Describe morphological classification of crude drugs with examples
5. Explain chemical classification of crude drugs with examples
6.Explain Morphological classification of crude drugs with examples
7.Explain pharmacological or therapeutic classification of crude drugs with examples
8. Write in detail alphabetical and taxonomical or botanical classification of crude drugs
9. Define chemotaxonomy & serotaxonomy Give its significances or importance's
10. Explain the differences between organised and unorganised crude drugs.
11. Define crude drug. Explain various methods of classification of crude drugs with
examples

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