This section summarises the biological source, major chemical constituents, and therapeutic uses of important crude drugs used in Pharmacognosy. These drugs belong to different categories such as laxatives, cardiotonics, carminatives, CNS drugs, antidiabetics, antimalarials, and pharmaceutical aids.
CRUDE DRUGS
1. Laxatives
Aloe
Biological Source: Dried latex of Aloe barbadensis and other Aloe species.
Constituents: Anthraquinone glycosides (aloin).
Therapeutic Efficacy: Strong stimulant laxative.
Castor Oil
Source: Seeds of Ricinus communis.
Constituents: Ricinoleic acid, triglycerides.
Uses: Purgative, lubricant laxative.
Ispaghula
Source: Seeds and husk of Plantago ovata.
Constituents: Mucilage, polysaccharides.
Uses: Bulk-forming laxative.
Senna
Source: Leaves and pods of Senna alexandrina.
Constituents: Sennosides (anthraquinone glycosides).
Uses: Stimulant laxative.
2. Cardiotonic Drugs
Digitalis
Source: Leaves of Digitalis purpurea.
Constituents: Cardiac glycosides (digitoxin, digoxin).
Uses: Heart failure, arrhythmias.
Arjuna
Source: Bark of Terminalia arjuna.
Constituents: Triterpenoids, flavonoids.
Uses: Cardioprotective, antihypertensive.
3. Carminatives & G.I. Regulators
- Coriander: Coriandrum sativum – Volatile oil (linalool); digestive, carminative.
- Fennel: Foeniculum vulgare – Anethole; carminative, antispasmodic.
- Cardamom: Elettaria cardamomum – Cineole; digestive stimulant.
- Ginger: Zingiber officinale – Gingerols, shogaols; antiemetic, carminative.
- Clove: Syzygium aromaticum – Eugenol; carminative, local analgesic.
- Black Pepper: Piper nigrum – Piperine; digestive stimulant, bio-enhancer.
- Asafoetida: Oleogum resin of Ferula foetida – Resin, volatile oil; carminative, antispasmodic.
- Nutmeg: Myristica fragrans – Myristicin, safrole; carminative.
- Cinnamon: Bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum – Cinnamaldehyde; carminative, flavoring agent.
4. Astringents
- Myrobalan: Fruits of Terminalia chebula – Tannins; astringent, antioxidant.
- Black Catechu: Extract of Acacia catechu – Catechins, tannins; astringent.
- Pale Catechu: Extract of Uncaria gambier – Tannins; astringent, antidiarrheal.
5. Drugs Acting on Nervous System
- Hyoscyamus: Hyoscyamus niger – Tropane alkaloids; antispasmodic.
- Belladonna: Atropa belladonna – Atropine; parasympatholytic.
- Ephedra: Ephedra sinica – Ephedrine; CNS stimulant, bronchodilator.
- Opium: Latex of Papaver somniferum – Morphine; analgesic.
- Tea Leaves: Camellia sinensis – Caffeine; CNS stimulant.
- Coffee Seeds: Coffea arabica – Caffeine; stimulant.
- Coca: Erythroxylum coca – Cocaine; local anesthetic.
6. Anti-hypertensive
Rauwolfia: Roots of Rauwolfia serpentina – Reserpine; antihypertensive, sedative.
7. Anti-tussive
Vasaka: Leaves of Adhatoda vasica – Vasicine; expectorant, antitussive.
Tolu Balsam: Myroxylon balsamum – Resin, volatile oil; soothing agent.
8. Anti-rheumatics
Colchicum Seed: Colchicum autumnale – Colchicine; antigout, anti-inflammatory.
9. Anti-tumour
Vinca: Catharanthus roseus – Vincristine, vinblastine; anticancer.
Podophyllum: Rhizomes of Podophyllum peltatum – Podophyllotoxin; anticancer.
10. Antidiabetics
Pterocarpus: Heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium – Flavonoids; antidiabetic.
Gymnema: Leaves of Gymnema sylvestre – Gymnemic acids; reduces sugar absorption.
11. Diuretics
Gokhru: Tribulus terrestris – Saponins; diuretic.
Punarnava: Boerhaavia diffusa – Alkaloids; diuretic, anti-edema.
12. Anti-dysenterics
Ipecacuanha: Roots of Cephaelis ipecacuanha – Emetine; anti-amoebic.
13. Antiseptics & Disinfectants
- Benzoin: Resin of Styrax benzoin – Benzoic acid; antiseptic.
- Myrrh: Gum resin of Commiphora molmol – Volatile oils; antimicrobial.
- Neem: Azadirachta indica – Azadirachtin; antiseptic.
- Turmeric: Curcuma longa – Curcumin; antimicrobial, antioxidant.
14. Antimalarials
Cinchona: Bark of Cinchona officinalis – Quinine; antimalarial.
Artemisia: Artemisia annua – Artemisinin; antimalarial.
15. Oxytocic
Ergot: Sclerotium of Claviceps purpurea – Ergot alkaloids; uterine stimulant.
16. Vitamins
- Cod Liver Oil: Oil from fish liver – Vitamin A & D.
- Shark Liver Oil: Contains squalene; immune booster.
17. Enzymes
- Papaya: Carica papaya – Papain; proteolytic enzyme.
- Diastase: Malt extract – Amylase; starch digestion.
- Pancreatin: Animal pancreas extract – Digestive enzymes.
- Yeast: Saccharomyces cerevisiae – Ferments carbohydrates.
18. Pharmaceutical Aids
- Kaolin: Hydrated aluminum silicate; adsorbent.
- Lanolin: Wool fat; ointment base.
- Beeswax: Apis mellifera; stiffening agent.
- Acacia & Tragacanth: Natural gums; emulsifiers.
- Sodium alginate: From brown algae; thickening agent.
- Agar: From red algae; gel-forming agent.
- Guar Gum: Thickener, binder.
- Gelatin: From animal bones; capsules.
19. Miscellaneous
- Squill: Urginea maritima – Cardiac glycosides; expectorant.
- Galls: Rich in tannins; astringent.
- Ashwagandha: Withania somnifera – Withanolides; adaptogenic.
- Tulsi: Ocimum sanctum – Eugenol; antimicrobial.
- Guggul: Resin of Commiphora mukul – Guggulsterones; lipid-lowering.
