IMPORTANT CRUDE DRUGS IN PHARMACOGNOSY
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.
Laxatives
Aloe
Biological Source: Dried latex of Aloe barbadensis.
Constituents: Aloin.
Uses: Stimulant laxative.
Castor Oil
Source: Seeds of Ricinus communis.
Constituents: Ricinoleic acid.
Uses: Purgative.
Ispaghula
Source: Plantago ovata.
Constituents: Mucilage.
Uses: Bulk laxative.
Senna
Source: Senna alexandrina.
Constituents: Sennosides.
Uses: Stimulant laxative.
Cardiotonic Drugs
Digitalis
Source: Digitalis purpurea.
Constituents: Digoxin.
Uses: Heart failure.
Arjuna
Source: Terminalia arjuna.
Uses: Cardioprotective.
Carminatives and G.I. Regulators
- Coriander: Digestive
- Fennel: Carminative
- Cardamom: Digestive stimulant
- Ginger: Antiemetic
- Clove: Analgesic
- Black Pepper: Bio-enhancer
- Asafoetida: Antispasmodic
- Nutmeg: Carminative
- Cinnamon: Flavoring agent
Drugs Acting on Nervous System
- Belladonna: Atropine
- Ephedra: CNS stimulant
- Opium: Analgesic
- Tea/Coffee: Caffeine stimulant
- Coca: Local anesthetic
Antidiabetics
Gymnema: Reduces sugar absorption.
Pterocarpus: Antidiabetic.
Antimalarials
Cinchona: Quinine.
Artemisia: Artemisinin.
Pharmaceutical Aids
- Kaolin: Adsorbent
- Lanolin: Ointment base
- Beeswax: Stiffening agent
- Acacia: Emulsifier
- Agar: Gel forming
- Gelatin: Capsules
Dr. Saint Paul is a pharmacy educator, Pharm.D graduate, and academic content creator from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada (JNTUK), where he completed his Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) degree between 2015 and 2021.
He has more than 7 years of experience creating pharmacy educational content, writing study materials, and reviewing academic articles for pharmacy students. He has also contributed guest articles to pharmacy education platforms, including PharmD Guru.
At D.PharmGuru, his work focuses on simplifying complex Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharmacy) subjects into easy-to-understand notes, practical explanations, and exam-oriented educational resources for students across India.
His areas of focus include Human Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy, and other core D.Pharmacy subjects.
