Crude drugs can be classified based on their chemical constituents. This classification groups drugs based on the presence of identical chemical compounds regardless of morphology or taxonomy. The main chemical groups used for classification include alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, lipids, resins, tannins, terpenes, vitamins, volatile oils, and proteins. Some examples of crude drugs classified based on their chemical components are tannins found in myrobalans and bahera, volatile oils in cinnamon and fennel, and alkaloids in nux-vomica and ergot. The chemical classification approach is useful for phytochemical studies but ambiguities can arise when drugs contain multiple types of compounds.

1. Chemical Classification of Crude drug
PRESENTED BY:
MR. PRITAM VIJAY JUVATKAR
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
pvjuvatkar@rediffmail.com, +91 9987779536
KONKAN GYANPEETH RAHUL DHARKAR COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND
RESEARCH INSTITUTE, KARJAT
UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI

2. Types of Classification of Crude Drug
Alphabetical classification .
Chemical classification
Morphological classification
Taxonomic classification
Pharmacological classification
Chemo - taxonomical classification
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3. Chemical
Classification
of Crude Drug

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Chemical Classification of Crude Drug
 The crude drugs are classified on the basis of the chemical nature of their most important
constituent .
 The Crude drug showing their pharmacological activity and therapeutic significance
depending upon chemical constituents and thus this classification of drugs is dependent
upon the grouping of drugs with identical constituents .
 The crude drugs containing alkaloids are grouped together, regardless of their morphology
and taxonomical relationship,
It is a popular approach for phytochemical studies
Merits
Ambiguities arise when particular drugs possess a number of compounds belonging to
different groups of compounds.
Demerits

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Alkaloids
Carbohydrates
Glycosides
Lipids
Resins
Tannins
Triterpenes
Vitamins
Volatile oils
Protein &
Enzymes
Chemical
Classification
of Crude
Drug

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Carbohydrates - Carbohydrates are polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones containing an unbroken chain of
carbon atoms .
Gums- Acacia, Sterculia, Tragacanth
Mucilage- Plantago seeds, Linseed
Others- Starch, Honey, Agar
Glycosides- - Glycosides are compounds which upon hydrolysis give rise to one or more sugars
(glycone ) and non – sugar ( aglycone ) .
Anthraquinone Glycosides - Aloe, Cascara, Rhubarb, Senna
Aldehyde glycosides- Vanilla, Anantmul
Bitter Glycosides- Gentian, Calumba, Quassia, Chirata, Kalmegh
Cardiac Glycosides - Digitalis, Strophantus
Coumarin and Furanocoumarin glycosides, Visnega, Psoralea
Flavanoids Flavonol glycosides- Buck Wheat, Citrus fruits, Gingko
Isothiocyanate Glycosides - Mustard
Phenol glycosides, - Bear berry
Saponins Glycosides -Quillaia, Dioscorea, Glycyrrhiza
Steroidal glycolkaloids- Solanum
Chemical
Classificati
on
of Crude
Drug
Cyanophore Glycosides - Wild cherry bark, Bitter Almond

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Tannins- Tannins are complex organic , in which polyphenols are present, generally with o-
dihydroxy, o-trihydroxy groups on a phenyl ring..
Hydrolysable Tannins- Myrobalans,Bahera
Condensed Tannins- Ashoka Bark, Black Catechu, Pale Catechu
Pseudo tannins- Nux-vomica, Ipecacuanhic acid
Volatile Oils – Monoterpines & Sesquiterpenes obtained from plants . Ex : Cinnamon ,
Fennel , Dill , Caraway
Fixed Oils- Castor, Olive, Almond
Fats- Theobroma, Lanolin
Waxes- Bees wax, Spermaceti
Chemical
Classification
of Crude
Drug
Lipids– Lipids are the substances of animal or plant origin and comprise of fixed
oils, fats and waxes.
Resins– Complex mixture of compounds like resinols, resin acids, resinotannols,
resenes. Examples Colophony, Podophyllum, Capsicum

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Vitamins – Yeast
Protein – Gelatin , Papain
Chemical
Classification
of Crude
Drug
Alkaloid– These are the organic products of natural or synthetic origin which are basic in
nature and contain one or more nitrogen atoms, normally of heterocyclic nature,
and possess specific physiological actions on human or animal body, when
used in small quantities eg. Nux-vomica, Ergot, Cinchona, Datura
Triterpenes – They are present in either free state or as esters or glycosides.
Biosynthetically, triterpenoids are C30 compounds prepared from six isoprene
units. eg. Rasna, Colocynth

9. Thank You
PRESENTED BY:
MR. PRITAM VIJAY JUVATKAR
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
pvjuvatkar@rediffmail.com, +91 9987779536
KONKAN GYANPEETH RAHUL DHARKAR COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND
RESEARCH INSTITUTE, KARJAT
UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI

10. Disclosure
This Presentation is meant for Study Notes for B.Pharm Students only. Please
do not take as a reference for treatment for an ailments or other usage
PRESENTED BY:
MR. PRITAM VIJAY JUVATKAR
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
pvjuvatkar@rediffmail.com, +91 9987779536
KONKAN GYANPEETH RAHUL DHARKAR COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, KARJAT
UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI