Pharmacognosy 1

(PHBL303)

Tutorial 2
Winter 2022
 Types of plants metabolites
Primary Metabolites
They play direct role in plant growth &
development.
(They are involved in metabolic reactions
such as Respiration & Photosynthesis).
E.g: Carbohydrates, amino acids and fats.
They are same in all plant species.
Do not show any pharmacological activity.
Secondary Metabolites
They are final products of primary
metabolites.
They are not involved in growth &
development but are required for the plant
to survive in its environment;
(defense from microorganisms, defense from
herbivores, attraction of pollinators).
pollinator
E.g: Alkaloids, tannins, volatile oils, …..
They are unique to each plant species, genus
or family.
Represent the majority of natural products.
 Primary Metabolites

Carbohydrates

• Structure: composed of C H2 O
in ratio 1:2:1

Amino Acids

• Structure: contains amino

& carboxyl groups
 Secondary Metabolites

Mixture of compounds
Volatile Oil
(easily evaporated at room temp.)

Hydrocarbons oxygenated cmpds

10 C  Monoterpenes
15 C  Sesquiterpenes

• Can be extracted by Steam Distillation or Non-polar solvents

Organic
layer

NB: Steam NB: Non-polar solvent

distillation depends on Aqueous extraction depends on
relative volatility of layer solubility of volatile oil in
mixture components organic layer
 Secondary Metabolites

Alkaloids

• Basic Nitrogenous compounds

• Limited distribution
e.g: Cocaine
• Potent activity

Glycosides

Sugar Non- Sugar

glycone Aglycone

Pharmacological
effect
 Secondary Metabolites

Polyphenols

• More than one OH group

• Majority used as Anti-oxidants

Bitter Principles
NO specific structure
• Bitter taste
• Use: Bitter Stomachic
 Plant Cycle Duration
Plants have different life cycles. Some live for a short time, while others live for centuries.
Plants are named annuals, biennials and perennials depending on the length of their life cycles.

Annual plants:
Annuals live for a year.
They grow, produce flowers and die within the
span of a year.

Biennial plants:
Biennials live for two years.
In the first year, the tree grows leaves, stems & roots.
In the second year, the tree produces flowers & seeds
and the tree dies later.

Perennial plants:
Perennials live more than two years.
 Plant Cycle Duration
• Herbaceous: a plant that has leaves and stems that die
down each year to the soil level.

• Herbaceous perennial:non-woody plants that live

for more than two years.

• Woody perennial: plants with stems that do not die

back and instead grow with each passing season

• Monocarpic: They produce flowers and reproduce

only once in their whole lifespan. After fruiting, they
show internal changes and eventually die

Polycarpic Plants?

8
 Assignment
Choose the best answer (Multiple Choice Questions):

1. Medicinal plant can be obtained from

a) Cultivation.
b) Wild areas.
c) Glass houses.
d) All of the above.

2. Plants are said to be ………..when they grow in a foreign land or in a locality other
than their native home.
a) Native.
b) Normal.
c) Indigenous.
d) Naturalized.

3. When an exotic plant manages to reproduce naturally in its new environment, it

is referred to as a ………….

naturalized species
 Assignment (cont.)

4. Muticus species in Hyoscymus muticus refers to a characteristic feature which is

a) Beautiful
b) Sleep inducing
c) Smooth
d) Short

5. plants with stems that do not die back and instead grow with each passing season
are…….
Woody perennial

6. Nigrum species in Piper nigrum refers to a characteristic color which is

a) Black
b) Yellow
c) Purple
d) White
 Assignment (cont.)

7. Anthelmentica species in Brayera anthelmentica refers to a pharmacological action

which is
a) anti-hypertensive
b) Expelling worms
c) analgesic
d) Sleep inducing

8. Species that are named after a certain aroma or aromatic plant

a) Cannabis indica
b) Digitalis purpurea
c) Myristica fragrans
d) B and D

9.Which of the following species is named after certain macroscopic feature

a) Begonia maculata
b) Cannabis indica
c) Caryophyllus aromaticus
 Project
Mention 5 plant metabolites; give their names, class and their
therapeutic activity (use).

Metabolite Name Class Use