Picrorrhia kurroa belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae is a medicinal plant that helps in treating liver disorders like jaundice and anaemia. Picrorrhiza synonyms: Picrorrhiza is known as Kutu Kasohini in Hindi and Picrorrhiza root in English. It is known as Katula in Sanskrit and Kadu in Gujrati. The other synonyms of Picrorrhiza are Kataki in […]
Molecular Formula of Caffeine: The molecular formula of caffeine is C8H10O2N4. Physical and Chemical Properties of Caffeine: Caffeine occurs as a white powder with bitter taste, it does not have any odour. It is a weak base and is feebly soluble in water, chloroform, alcohol and solvent ether. Its solubility in water can be increased […]
Source and Distribution of Purine Alkaloids: Purine alkaloids occur in various parts of the world and are used in stimulant beverages as it consists of caffeine, a CNS stimulant principle. Various plants like tea, coffee, cola, cocoa, guavana and mate contains the derivatives of xanthine, they are called purine alkaloids. Purine alkaloids mainly includes caffeine, […]
Morphology and Distribution of Gloriosa: Gloriosa consists of the dried tubers of Gloriosa superba that belongs to the family Liliaceae. It is also known as glory lily. Gloriosa is an ornamental plant that is indigenous to tropical Asia and Africa. Tamil Nadu is the state which produces the drug on large scale. Glory Lily is […]
Morphology and Distribution of Kurchi: Kurchi is the dried stem bark of Holarrhena antidysenterica belonging to the family Apocyanaceae. Kurchi is also known as Holarrhena. The Kurchi bark is collected from 8-10 years old plant. The bark of Kurchi is freed from attached wood and is peeled into small pieces. Kurchi is indigenous to India […]
Sources of Steroidal Alkaloids Important drugs which belong to steroidal alkaloids belongs to Solanum species, kurchi bark and veratrum. Chemical Principles of Steroidal Alkaloids: The active chemical principles of these drugs contain mainly steroidal entity (cyclopenteno phenanthrene) and a basic nitrogen. Uses of Steroidal Alkaloids: Steroidal Alkaloids are used as medicines in many instances such […]
Distribution and Uses of Purine Alkaloids: Purine alkaloids occur in various parts of the world and are used in stimulant beverages as it consists of caffeine, a CNS stimulant principle. Sources of Purine Alkaloids: Various plants like tea, coffee, cola, cocoa, guavana and mate contains the derivatives of xanthine, they are called purine alkaloids. Purine […]
What are Alkaloids and how are they synthesized? The alkaloids are generally poisonous in nature, but when they are used in minute amounts, they exhibit useful physiological effects on animals and human beings. Hence they secured a significant place in medicine. Their exact role and functions are not known exactly but what we came to […]
Physical Properties of Alkaloids: All the alkaloids are colourless, crystalline solids Some alkaloids are coloured in nature, for example, betanidin is red, berberine is yellow and salts of sanguinarine are copper red in colour. Some alkaloids like coniine, sparteine, nicotine are liquid and volatile in nature. They have a sharp melting point (decomposition range). Some […]