DRUG SOURCES

Look at the pictures. Speak about the relevance of the visual elements
What does the quote Mother nature is pretty smart mean?
Can nature and the environment we live in provide us with healing remedies or drugs?

herbs

minerals animals

?
microbes chemicals

Vocabulary
Trace elements - chemical elements which are essential - but only in tiny quantities - for optimal
physical and mental well-being, such as cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum,
selenium, sulfur, zinc.
Crude drugs - vegetable or animal drugs that contain natural substances that have undergone only the
processes of collection and drying.
Concoction – a mixture of two medicinal substances, usually done with the aid of heat.
Musk - a substance secreted in a glandular sac under the skin of the abdomen of the male musk deer,
having a strong odor, and used in perfumery.
Serum, pl. sera, serums – 1. the clear, pale-yellow liquid that separates from the clot in the coagulation
of blood; blood serum. 2. any watery animal fluid.
Antitoxin- a substance that stops or reduces the effect of a toxin in the body.
Gene splicing - a process using recombinant DNA technology to join, by attachment or insertion, a
DNA segment from one source to a DNA segment from another source.
Biologics - a type of medication derived or synthesized from living biological organisms.
 DRUG SOURCES

share = portion,
part

exploit = use,
utilize

processing =
preparation, In early times, drugs were derived from natural sources, of which plants took up the
refinement
major share. With the introduction of technology, most drugs today are manufactured

raise = increase, synthetically in the laboratory. The major sources of drugs can be grouped into the
rise, lift following: plant sources, animal sources, microbial sources, marine sources, mineral
sources, synthetic/chemical derivatives, semi-synthetic sources, biosynthetic sources
purgative=
(genetically engineered drugs)
laxative,
evacuative 1. Plant sources. A number of plants have medicinal qualities and have been used for
to employ= to centuries as drugs or drug sources. Although the earliest plant source for drugs was
utilize, to apply the leaf, other parts of plants (e.g., barks, fruits, roots, stems, wood, seeds, blossoms,
bulbs etc.) were also later exploited for drug extraction. In case the product is used
malignant=
cancerous without further processing e.g., ground leaves, bark, boiled concoctions, the substance
condition= is called crude drug.
disease, ailment 2. Animal sources. Many important drugs are derived from animal sources. In most
evolve= develop, instances, these medicinal substances are derived from animal body secretions, fluids
progress
or glands. Insulin, heparin, adrenaline, thyroxin, cod liver oil, musk, beeswax,
manufacture=
make, produce, enzymes, antitoxins, and sera are some examples of drugs obtained from animal

yield= give, sources. Like plant products, drugs from animal sources may be crude (unrefined) or
produce refined material.
potency = 3. Microbial sources. Several life-saving drugs have been historically derived from
strength, power
microorganisms. Examples include penicillin produced by Penicillium chrysogenum,
impure =
streptomycin from Streptomyces griseus, chloramphenicol from Streptomyces
imperfect, crude
venezuelae, neomycin from Streptomyces fradiae, bacitracin from Bacillus subtilis etc.
alter = change,
modify Xanthan (polysaccharide gum secreted by Xanthomonas campestris) are all examples
unviable = of drugs from microbial sources.
impractical,
4. Marine sources. Bioactive compounds from marine flora and fauna have an
unworkable
extensive use in the prevention, treatment or cure of many diseases. Corals, sponges,
fish, and marine microorganisms produce biologically potent chemicals with anti-
inflammatory, anti-viral, and anticancer activity. For example, curacin A from marine cyanobacterium
Lyngbya majuscule, eleutherobin from coral Eleutherobia sp., discodermolide from marine sponge
Discodermia dissoluta, etc. show potent anti-tumour activity.
5. Mineral sources. Both metallic and non-metallic minerals have been used as drugs since ancient times.
The human body requires trace elements of minerals in order to maintain homeostasis. Patients lacking an
adequate level of these substances may take specific mineral-based drugs to raise the level of minerals.
Examples include ferrous sulfate in iron deficiency anemia; magnesium sulfate as purgative; magnesium
trisilicate, aluminum hydroxide and sodium bicarbonate as antacids for hyperacidity and peptic ulcer; zinc
oxide ointment as skin protectant, in wounds and eczema; gold salts as anti-inflammatory and in
rheumatoid arthritis; selenium as anti-dandruff. Radioactive isotopes of iodine, phosphorus, and gold are
employed for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases particularly malignant conditions.
6. Synthetic/chemical derivatives. A synthetic drug is produced using chemical synthesis, which
rearranges chemical derivatives to form a new compound. The synthetic sources of drugs evolved with
human skills in the laboratory and advanced knowledge and understanding of phytochemical
investigation. At present, the majority of drugs used in clinical practice are exclusively prepared
synthetically in pharmaceutical and chemical laboratory. One of the earliest synthetic drugs was
sulphonamide, which began with the synthesis of prontosil dye. Other examples include acetylsalicylic
acid (aspirin or ASA), oral antidiabetics, antihistamines, thiazide diuretics, chloroquine, chlorpromazine,
general and local anaesthetics, paracetamol, phenytoin etc. Synthetically manufactured drugs generally
have higher yields that are significantly associated with quality, purity and low cost.
7. Semi-synthetic sources. Semi-synthetic drugs are neither completely natural nor completely synthetic.
They are a hybrid and are generally made by chemically modifying substances that are available from
natural sources to improve its potency, efficacy and/or reduce side effects.  Sometimes, semi-synthetic
processes are used to prepare drugs when the natural sources may yield impure compounds or when the
synthesis of drugs (complex molecules) may be difficult, expensive, and commercially unviable. In semi-
synthetic drugs, the nucleus of drug obtained from natural source is kept intact but the chemical structure
is altered. Examples of semi-synthetic medicine include heroin from morphine, bromoscopolamine from
scopolamine, homatropine from atropine, ampicillin from penicillin etc.
8. Biosynthetic sources (genetically engineered drugs). This is relatively a new field which is being
developed by mixing discoveries from molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology, DNA alteration,
gene splicing, immunology, and immune pharmacology. Drugs developed using living organisms with
the help of biotechnology or genetic engineering are known as biologics, biopharmaceuticals,
recombinant DNA expressed products, bioengineered, or genetically engineered drugs. Examples include
recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine, recombinant insulin and others.

I. Comprehension check. Answer the following questions:

1. What are the major sources of drugs?
2. What parts of plants are used as drug sources?
 3. What animal body secretions are used to produce drugs?
4. What marine sources are employed to manufacture drugs?
5. What minerals are used to produce drugs?
6. What are synthetic drugs?
7. What are semi-synthetic drugs?
8. What are biosynthetic drugs?

II. Find in the text the equivalents of the following words:

a. with the advent of a. ………………………………..

b. healing properties b. …………………………………
c. majority of cases c. …………………………………
d. powerful d. …………………………………
e. shortfall e. …………………………………
f. joining f. …………………………………

III. Match the words from column A with the words from column B:
A B
1. crude a. splicing
2. potent b. secretions
3. marine c. minerals
4. impure d. compounds
5. gene e. drug
6. metallic f. fauna
7. body g. chemicals

IV. Fill in the following words and use the appropriate form:

potency, exploit, unviable, evolve, trace element

1. We need to make sure that we …………………………… our resources as fully as possible.

2. Copper is an essential …………………………. but most diets contain a little more copper
than is needed.
3. Such investments become …………………………….. in the event of well failure.
4. This new drug's ……………………………….. is not yet known.
5. Bacteria are …………………………………… resistance to antibiotics.

V. Choose the word that best fits the context:

1. In early times, drugs were derived from natural/synthetic sources.
 2. Plants have medicinal/medical qualities.
3. Crude/raw drugs are unrefined medications in their natural forms.
4. The human body requires track/trace elements of minerals for homeostasis.
5. Biologics/biologies are products made from living organisms or contain components of living
organisms.

VI. Paraphrase the words in bold:

A biologic drug (biologics) is a product/……………………… that is produced from

living/…………………….. organisms or contain components of living organisms. Biologic drugs
include/……………………… a wide variety/ ………………………… of products derived
from/……………….. human, animal, or microorganisms by using biotechnology. Types of biologic
drugs include vaccines, blood, blood components/……………………….., cells, allergens, genes,
tissues, and recombinant proteins. Biologic products may contain/………………………… proteins
that control/…………………….. the action/……………………….. of other proteins and cellular
processes, genes that control production/……………………… of vital proteins, modified human
hormones, or cells that produce substances that suppress/…………………….. or activate components
of the immune system. Biologic drugs are sometimes referred to/…………………………… as
biologic response/…………………… modifiers because they change/…………………….. the manner
of operation of natural biologic intracellular and cellular actions.

VII. Complete the table with the appropriate information:

Drug sources
Plant Animal Microbial Marine Mineral Chemical Semisyntheti Biosyntheti
sources sources sources sources sources sources c sources c sources

VIII. Carry out a research on the advantages and disadvantages of natural drugs versus
synthetic drugs.
 Natural drugs Synthetic drugs

Did you know?

Biopharmaceuticals are revolutionizing the world of medicine and saving the lives of thousands of
people every day. Patients suffering from cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, immune diseases,
and other health problems already benefit from biopharmaceuticals, which provide targeted treatment
and fewer side effects. Soon, billions of people around the world will benefit from this innovative
approach to treating disease. Biopharmaceuticals are laboratory-created medicines that are structurally
identical to compounds already found in nature. Biopharmaceuticals, known colloquially as bio-
pharma, are the point at which biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing meet. Bio-pharma is
the application of living organisms or extractions, by-products or components of living organisms, to
prevent, relieve, or treat diseases. Bio-pharma companies can make drugs from biological components
of substances, known as biologics, including sugars, proteins, nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA, or
complex combination of components. Scientists isolate biologics, or their precursors or components,
from living sources such as humans, animals, plants, fungi, or microbes. Because they are the same
structurally, these drugs are often more effective and present fewer side effects. Most
biopharmaceuticals come from proteins found in nature. Biopharmaceuticals also come from
recombinant proteins, which are special proteins that contain genes manipulated by scientists. The
changes cause the proteins to act in a certain way; because the changes are encoded on the genes, each
successive generation of the proteins carrying the modified genes will also act that way.
Biopharmaceuticals also include stem cells and certain blood components, especially components
associated with blood clotting.

a. Read the information. Look up the new words.

b. Write down 5 special questions. (What, Why, How, Who, When, etc.)
1. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
c. Summarize the information.
d. Replace the bold words with the appropriate synonyms that best fit the context.
 Writing
Comment on the quote “Let your food be your medicine, Don`t make medicines your food!”

Video. Developing new drugs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hjBfbMuvPA

Vocabulary
Clinical trial - a rigorously controlled test of a new drug or a new invasive
medical device on human subject.
Surveillance - close observation of a person or group of people.
Patent - the official legal right to make or sell an invention for a particular
number of years.
Placebo- an inactive substance or preparation used as a control in an
experiment or test to determine the effectiveness of a medicinal drug.

I. Comprehension check. Answer the following questions:

1. What happens to drugs before they are released on the market?
2. What are drugs tested on?
3. Why are drugs tested?
4. What is the process of testing drugs on humans controlled by?
II. Explain the following words, based on the information from the video:

Blind trial -

Double blind trial-

III. Choose the right answer:

1. The process of testing drugs helps identify

a. disease
b. side effects
c. treatment.

2. Drug licensing takes

a. 2 years
b. 12 months
c. 12 years.

3. Drug testing is
a. extensive, large scale and rigorous
b. small scale
c. fast.

IV. Fill in the table with appropriate information:

Drug development
Stage I Stage II Stage III

V. Complete the columns with information relevant for each phase:

Clinical trials
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4

VI. Find in the video the Pros and Cons of Animal testing
Animal testing
Pros Cons