PHYTOCHEMISTRY OR PLANT CHEMISTRY

NATURAL PRODUCT ORGANIC CHEMISTRY PLANT BIOCHEMISTRY

SOURCES OF DRUGS
1. 2. 3. 4. Synthetic drugs Minerals Animal source Plants

Importance of the Study of Phytochemistry

1. compounds with strong physiological activity have been isolated from plants 2. natural products have served as models in the preparation of synthetic compounds to improve physiological actions 3. steroidal sapogenins have serves as raw materials in the synthesis of cortisone 4 in particular, the alkaloids have played a great role in the development of organic chemistry

Structural Elucidation of Natural Products by Physical instrumental Method

X-ray diffraction Infrared spectrophotometry Nuclear magnetic resonance Spectrometry Electron spin resonance Mass spectrometry

The Plant Material

General rules for the collection of various drugs or plant parts: 1. Roots and Rhizomes 2. Leaves and Flowering tops 3. Flowers 4. Fruits

Plant Constituents
Alkaloids alkaloidal salts free alkaolids Glycosides cardiac glycosides cyanogenic glycosides Tannins Oil Fixed oil Volatile oil Gums Waxes Sugars Resins Saponins Cellulose Chlorophyl

Rules for Collecting Medicinal Plants

1. Have a good knowledge of the medicinal plant you want to collect 2. When collecting plants in the wild you must never gather all the specimens in a given locality. 3. When gathering medicinal plants it is best to wear gloves and to use tools 4. Bring along container for gathered plants 5, Gather only healthy, visibly undamaged plants

 6. Do not gather medicinal plants in the grassland or orchards which have been suspected of having treated with pesticides 7. Plants should not be gathered when they are wet with dew or rain.