This document provides information on secondary metabolites and details glycosides, senna, alexandrian senna, tinnevelly senna, aloe, cape aloes, curacao aloes, constituents of senna and aloe, chemical tests, and uses. It compares alexandrian and tinnevelly senna. It also discusses iridoids, terpenoids, nepthaquinones, classification of terpenes, taxus, artemisia, and their constituents and uses.

1. Secondary metabolites and
its detail information
Pooja H. Khanpara
Asst. professor
Pharmacognosy
Aksharpreet College of Pharmacy, Lakhabaval,
Jamnagar

2. Glycosides

3. Senna - Leguminosae
1) Consists of the dried
leaflets of Cassia acutifolia
(Alexandrian senna)
2) ripe fruit (senna pod) of
Cassia acutifolia
3) dried leaflets of Cassia
angustifolia (Tinnevelly
senna –indian senna).
Use: Laxative & purgative
3

4. Alexandrian senna
Syn.: Folia senna, Cassia senna, Egyptian
senna, Nubian senna
B.S.: dried leaflets of Cassia acutifolia
Delile.
Family: Leguminosae
G.s.: Indigenous to Africa (tropical
regions), Sudan, middle and nile territories
Used since 9th and 10th century
Itroduced into medicine by Arab
physicians (used both the leaves and pods)
Exported by Alexandria – name of the
Sudanese drug.
4

5. Morphology
Color: pale grayish green
Odour: Slight & characteristic
Taste: Slight bitter & mucilagenous
Shape: Ovate lanceolate, entire margin, uneven base, acute
apex, lamina pubesent.
Size: 20mm-40mm long & 7mm-12mm wide.

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Senna – chemical Constituents
Senna consist four types of glycosides:
Sennoside A Sennoside B Sennoside C Sennoside D
In their active costituents are sennoside A, sennosides B
 Upon hydrolysis of sennosides it gives two molecules
glucose+aglycones: Sennidin A and Sennidin B. Rhein 8-
glucosides, Rhein 8-diglucosides
Aloe-emodin
Crysophenic acid, myricyl alcohol, resin
Tinnevellin glycoside(indian senna), 6-hydroxy mucizin
glucoside

7. Chemical constituents:
(i) 1 and 1,8 ‘O’ glucosides
= 1st series glycosides
aglycones: rhein, aloe emodin
(ii) dimeric dianthrones
= 2nd series
reduced products
dimer can be split into two parts with FeCl3
hydrolysis and monomer aglycones assayed for

8. Indian Senna
 Syn.: Cassia leaf, Sonmukhi, senai-ki-patti, bhumiari
 B.S.: dried leaflets of Cassia angustifolia Vahl.
 Family: Leguminosae
 G.S.: South India, Tinneveley & Ramanathpurum district,
Pakistan
 Morphology:
Color: yellowish green
Odour: Slight & characteristic
Taste: Bitter & mucilagenous
Shape: lanceolate to ovate lanceolate,
entire margin, uneven base, acute apex,
lamina pubesent.
Size: 2.5 cm-6 cm long & 5mm-8mm wide.

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10. Comparison of
Alexandrian and Tinnevelly Senna
Macroscopical
larger than 4 cm in length
Grey-green
Asymmetric at base
Broken and curled at
edges
Few press markings
Macroscopical
exceeds 5cm in length
Yellow-green
Less asymmetric at base
broken and normally flat
Often shows impressions
(mid vein)
10

11. Comparison between
Alexandrian and Tinnevelly Senna
Microscopical
Hairs – numerous
(approximately three
epidermal cells apart)
Most stomata have two
subsidiary cells
Microscopical
Hairs less numerous
(approximately six
epidermal cells apart)
Stomata have 2-3 subsidiary
cells with the respective
ratio 7:3
11

12. Comparison between
Alexandrian and Tinnevelly Senna
Chemical Tests
Ether extract of hydrolysed
acid solution of herb with
methanolic magnesioum
acetate solution gives
 Pink colour in
daylight
 Pale green-orange
colour in filtered UV
light
TLC
Hydroxymusizin glycoside
present
Chemical Tests
• Same Test
• Orange colour in
daylight
• Yellow-green colour in
filtered UV light
TLC
Tinnevellin glycoside present12

13. Senna – Allied Drugs &
Substitutes
1. Bombay, Mecca and Arabian Sennas (found in Cassia
angustifolia from Arabia).
2. Palthe senna( Cassia Auriculata)
3. Dog senna – Cassia obovata
4. Cassia podocarpa
5. Argel leaves – Solenostemma argel
6. Coriario myrtifolia
13

14. Senna Fruit
Definition: Senna pods are
the dried, ripe fruits of
Cassia senna and Cassia
angustifolia, which are
commercially known as
Alexandrian and Tinnevelly
senna pods respectively.
Both have separate
monographs
14

15. Senna Fruit - Collection
Pods are collected with the
leaves and dried in a similar
fashion.
After separation of the leaves,
the pods are hand-picked into
various qualities, the finer
being sold (commercially),
while the finer pieces are used
to make galenicals.
15

16. Senna Fruit - Constituents
Active constituents are found
in the pericarp.
Similar to those actives of
the leaves
Sennoside A
Sennidin
16

17. Senna – Additional uses
Medicinal Actions
Vermifuge, diuretic,
febrifuge
Other uses: laxative candy
(bitter taste).
Also used to treat flatulence,
gout, fever.
Topically: poultice prepared
with vinegar to treat
pimples.
NOTE: Senna may cause
urine to become reddish –
no clinical significance.
Contra-indications
Gout, colitis, GI inflammation.
Should not be used with cardiac
glycosides.
Seeds/pods give gentler action
than leaves: more appropriate for
the young, elderly and those
prone to stomach cramps.
NB: Over-use causes
dependency.
Overdose: nausea, bloody
diarrhoea, vomiting and nephritis.
Long-term use: dehydration &17

18. Some Drugs containing Anthracene
derivatives:
Senna:
• Leaves and pods contain Sennosides A-D.
• The C-C bond protect the anthrone from oxidation.

19. Chemical test:
Borntrager’s and Modified Borntrager’s test:
For Aglycones:
• Extract plant material with organic solvent.
• Shake with NH4OH OR KOH.
For O-Glycosides:
• Boil plant material with dil. HCl for 10 min, filter and shake with organic solvent
(Ether or Benzene).
• Separate the organic solvent.
• Shake with NH4OH OR KOH.
For C-Glycosides:
• Boil plant material with dil. HCl/FeCl3, filter and shake with organic solvent
(Ether or Benzene).
• Separate the organic solvent.
• Shake with NH4OH OR KOH.
Positive result indicated by Rose Red colour in the
aqueous alkaline layer.

21. 3. ALOE
Syn.: Kumari, musabar, korphad, Gheekunwar, Ghrit
kumara
B.S.: dried juce of leaves of Aloe barbadensis Miller(
Curacao Aloe), Aloe perryi Baker (Socotrine aloe),
Aloe ferox Miller. (Cape Aloe), Aloe spicata Baker
Family: Liliaceae
G.S.: Estern & southern Africa, west Indies, India,
western region.

22. Aloe perryi, barbadensis, ferox

23. Cultivation
Sandy, lomy, well drained soil.
Acidic, Basic, Neutral.
Grow in dry climate condition. It is xerophytic plant.
Propagated by seed, sawn in spring, germinate in 1-6
mnths at 16 degree C. then transferred in pot.
Offsets & suckers are available in spring.
Suckers planted in raw 50 cm in rainy season.
2nd year harvesting is started upto next 12 year.
After that plant are uprooted.

24. Aloe - Liliaceae
Definition: Aloes are the
solid residue obtained by
evaporating the liquid which
drains from the transversely
cut leaves of various Aloe
species.
 The juice is usually
concentrated by boiling and
solidifies on cooling.
Official varieties are the
Cape Aloes from SA and
Kenya (Aloe ferox), and the
Curacao Aloes from West
Indies (Aloe barbadensis).24

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Preparation of Cape Aloes
 Cape Aloes are prepared from the wild plants of Aloe ferox.
 Leaves are cut transversely near the base.
 Two hundred leaves arranged around a shallow hole in the ground (lined with canvas or goatskin).
 Cut ends overlap & drain into the canvas.
After 6hrs all the juice is collected.
 Transferred to a drum.
 Boiled for 4hrs on an open fire.
 Poured into tins while hot  solidifies.

26. Preparation of Cape Aloes
26

27. Cape Aloes - Characteristics
Dark brown or Green-brown
Glassy masses
Thin fragments have a deep
olive colour
Semi-transparent.
27

28. Cape Aloes - Characteristics
Powder: green-yellow
When rubbed two pieces of
drug together – powder is
found on the surfaces.
Characteristic sour odour
(rhubarb/apple-tart odour).
Taste: nauseous and bitter.
Microscopy: powder in
lactophenol – amorphous.
28

29. Characteristics of Curacao Aloes
Colour: yellow-brown – chocolate brown.
Cut at base, V shaped container of wood 1-2 m long with
cut surface towards container.
Poor qualities (overheated) black colour.
Opaque
Breaks with a waxy facture
Semi-transparent
More opaque on keeping.
Nauseous and bitter taste.
Thick hot juice taken completely in copper(metal) pan till it
become thick (hard)29

30. Socotrine aloe
Juice collected on goat skin and allow to dry for long time without heating
or boliling.
It forms viscous pasty mass which is filled in container of wood.
Zinzibar aloe
Same as above
Also called monkey skin aloe.

31. Aloes - Constituents
C-glycosides
Resins
Glycosides
Aloin
• Barbaloin
• Isobarbaloin
Aloe-emodin
Cape Aloes: Also Contain
Aloinoside A & Aloinoside B
(O-glycosides of
barbaloin)
31

32. 32
Aloe - Constituents

33. Chemical Tests:
 Unlike C-glycosides, O-glycosides
of Aloe are not hydrolysed by
heating with dilute acids or alkali.
Can be decomposed with ferric
chloride & dilute HCl - NB: Modified
Borntrager’s Test – oxidative
hydrolysis. Anthraquinones give a
red colour when shaken with dilute
ammonia.
NB: All Aloes give a strong green
fluorescence with borax33

34. Aloe - Uses
Purgative, abortification,
emolient, stomachic,
stimulant & tonic.
Used in solar, tharmal,
radiation burns, in skin
irritation
Cosmetic
34

35. Aloe – Additional uses
Medicinal Uses:
Anti-bacterial, anti-
fungal, chologoge,
emmenogogue, anti-
inflammatory (juice),
anti-inflammatory ,
demulcent, vulnerary,
immune-stimulating
(gel).
Radiation burns
(internal and
external use)
Contra-indications
Pregnancy & lactation
(internal uses)
Etymology
Name derives from
Arabic alu, meaning
shiny or bitter in
reference to the gel.
Other uses
Khoi-San hunters rub
gel on their bodies
to reduce sweating
and mask their scent.
Used to break nail-
biting habit.
35

36. Aloe vera Products
These are derived from
the mucilage gel –
parenchyma cells
Should not be confused
with aloes (juice of
pericycle – juice used for
laxative effect).
Cosmetic industry
(usefulness often
exaggerated) - Used as
suntan lotions, tonics and
food additives.
Mucilage =
36

37. Iridoids, terpenoids & nepthaquinones
Iridoids: : one type of monoterpenoids which have
cyclopentanopyran ring.
n Formula Name
2 C10H16 Monoterpenoids
3 C15H24 Sesquiterpenoid
4 C20H32 Diterpenoid
5 C25H40 Sesterpenoid
6 C30 H48 Triterpenoids
8 C40H64 Tetraterpenoids
8> 40> Polyterpenoids

38. The classification of its chemistry is as follows:
terpenoids
n Formula Name
2 C10H16 Monoterpenoids
3 C15H24 Sesquiterpenoid
4 C20H32 Diterpenoid
5 C25H40 Sesterpenoid
6 C30 H48 Triterpenoids
8 C40H64 Tetraterpenoids
8> 40> Polyterpenoids
Classification of volatile oils

39. a. terpenes
 Natural products whose structures may be divided into isoprene units.
 These units arise from acetate via mevalonic acid.
 These are branched chain 5 carbon units containing 2 unsaturated
bonds.
 Made up of head to tail condensation of isoprene units. If
i. 1 isoprene unit present= hemiterpene (C5H8)
ii. 2 isoprene unit present= monoterpenes (C10H16)
iii. 3 isoprene unit present= sesquiterpene (C15H24)
iv. 4 isoprene unit present= diterpene (C20H32)
v. 6 isoprene unit present= triterpene (C25H48)
 Majority of the terpenes are monoterpenes in volatile oils.

46. Taxus
Syn: Pacific yew, western yew, American yew,
Oregon yew, bow plant, mountain mahogany
B.S.: it contain fruit of the tree of Taxus brevifolia
Family: Taxaceae
G.S.: western north america, south alaska to north california,&
pacific coast to Idaho, Montana, fransisco
Macroscopy: evergreen,
Height: 6-10 mtr. Dia.- 15-30 cm,
1.4 m also 25 m height( Washington)
Male tree: yellow flower
Female tree: seed enclosed in pulpy, red sweet, trunk is tapered &
fluted, covered by scaly, reddish-brown to purple-brown bark

47. C & C: terpenoids, n-alkanes, myrtenol, 3-hexenol, tricosane
Use: anticancer
Comercial varities:
T. canadensis
T.baccata
T. floridana

48. Artemisia
Synonym: santonica, worm seed
B.S.: it is unexpanded flower-heads of Artemisia cina, Artemisia
brevifolia, A. matitime
Family: Compositae
G.S.: Pakistan, turkey, himalayan, kashmir, U.P., Panjab, Hariyana.
C.C.: Santonin, artemisin, cineole, pinene, resine
Uses: Anthelmintic (round worms)

49. 49