Isothiocyanate glycosides

These glycosides upon hydrolysis, yield Mustard oil. Plants containing these glycosides posses non-specific resistance against infection. These agents posses following properties; Vesicant Rubefacient

Black Mustard
Botanical origin:
Brassica nigra Brassica juncea

Family:
Brassicaceae

Part used:
Dried seeds

Chemistry:
Seeds contain active principle Sinigrin (potassium myrinate)
Upon hydrolysis, it produces; Mustard oil (allyl Isothiocyanate) In addition to this, it contains; Fixed oils Protein Mucilages

Uses:
Stimulant Emetic Diuretic Condiment Vesicant Rubefacient

Lactone Glycosides

Cantharide
Zoological origin:
Cantharis vesicatoria

Part used:
Dried insects

Collection:
Insects are collected during month of June an July in early morning when these are sluggish and inactive. Insects are killed by exposing them to fumes of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide or acetic acid. Insects are dried in an oven at temperature not exceeding 40C and packed in air tight container with few drops of chloroform or carbon tetra chloride.

Chemistry:
Active principle is Cantharidin. In addition to this, it contains; Formic acid Acetic acid Fat Fixed oil Uric acid

Uses:
Counter irritant Vesicant Rubefacient

Aldehyde glycosides

Botanical origin:
Vanilla planifolia

Vanilla

Family:
Orchidaceae

Part used:
Vanilla beans

Collection:
Fruit is collected when it is ripen to a yellow color. It is cured by dipping in warm water. Fruit is sun dried by placing it between woolen blankets in the sun during day and packing them in woolen blankets during night. After 2 months, 70-80% of original weight of fruit is lost and it takes a characteristic odor and color of vanilla i.e. Color .. Violet black Odor ... Aromatic

Chemistry:
Before curing, vanilla contains 2 glycosides; Glucovanillin Glucovanillic acid After curing, active principle is obtained i.e. Vanillin

Uses:
Flavoring agent

Miscellaneous glycosides

Gentian
Botanical origin:
Gentiana lutea

Family:
Gentianaceae

Part used:
Dried rhizome and root

Collection:
Rhizome and roots are collected from 4-5yeas old plant in autumn and for drying, two methods are used; Quick drying process Slow drying process

Quick drying process

Drying is done immediately after collection, in sunlight. This drug contains bitter principle Gentiopicrin.

Slow drying process

Drying is done in open air. It takes 4-6 months for drug to dry completely. In this process, drug is allowed to ferment and loss most of its bitter principle and acquire aromatic quality that is desirable.

Chemistry:
Active principle is Gentiopicrin.
After hydrolysis, it produces; Gentiogenin Glucose

Uses:
Flavoring agent

Quassia
Botanical origin:
Picrasma excelsa

Part used:
Dried stem wood

Collection:
Drug occurs as cubes or chips. It is dried in an oven at temperature not more than 40C. The drug is dried to protect from fermentation.

Chemistry:
Active principle is Quassin.
Quassin is complex of; Picrasmin Neoquassin

Uses:
Bitter tonic Insecticide Anthelmintic

Dioscorea
Botanical origin:
Dioscorea bulbifera Dioscorea composita

Family:
Dioscoreaceae

Part used:
Dried rhizome and root

Collection:
Rhizome and roots are collected from 3-5years old plant in autumn.

Chemistry:
Active principle is Dioscin.
Upon hydrolysis, it produces; Diosgenin Sugars ( 1 molecule of D-glucose + 2 molecules of L-rhamnose)

Uses:
Synthesis of cortisone and steroidal drugs