What is Goldbeater’s Skin?

Goldbeater’s skin is the processed outer membrane of the intestine of an animal, typically an ox, valued for its strength against tearing. Usage of Goldbeater’s skin: It is used in Goldbeater’s skin test for tannins. Traditionally, it is used in the repair of manuscripts written on vellum. The intestines, having been cut into sections and hosed clean of offal, arrived in the lab filling two five gallon plastic pails. A considerable quantity of mucous was present, and there was some blood. Literature concerning the manufacture of sausage casings from hog…

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Iridoids: Artemisia (आर्टमिज़ीअ) – Pharmacognosy B Pharmacy 5th Semester

 Iridoids Generally, Iridoids are known as pseudo-glycoside because it forms on combination of terpenoid and glycoside. There common variety of animals and dicotyledon plant belonging to family Rubiaceae and Perpherbiaceae. Some plants belonging to family Scrophulariaceae also contain iridoids. Mostly all cardiac glycosides are in family Scrophulariaceae. The Iridoids were named after end of ants from which they were isolated and involved in defensive mechanism of the insects. Classification of iridoids: Iridoid glycosides Secoiridoid Non-glycosides compounds Artemisia Artemisia is is obtained from unexpended plant of Artemisia bravifolia or Artemisia martima. Old woman, Worm seed, Santonica, Semen sanctum.…

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Iridoids: Gentian (पीला जेंटियन) – Pharmacognosy B Pharmacy 5th Semester

 Iridoids Generally, Iridoids are known as pseudo-glycoside because it forms on combination of terpenoid and glycoside. There common variety of animals and dicotyledon plant belonging to family Rubiaceae and Perpherbiaceae. Some plants belonging to family Scrophulariaceae also contain iridoids. Mostly all cardiac glycosides are in family Scrophulariaceae. The Iridoids were named after end of ants from which they were isolated and involved in defensive mechanism of the insects. Classification of iridoids: Iridoid glycosides Secoiridoid Non-glycosides compounds Gentian Gentian is dried partially fermented rhizomes and roots of plant Yellow Gentian i.e.…

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Alkaloids: Opium (Afim- अफ़ीम) – Pharmacognosy B Pharmacy 5th Semester

Opium (or poppy tears), narcotic drug is dried latex obtained obtained from the unripe seedpods of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum. Opium Poppy Seed Pod execuding Latex Synonyms: Crude Opium, Raw Opium, Gum Opium, Afim, Aphim (अफ़ीम) – Hindi, Biological Source: Opium is the air dried milky latex obtained by incision from the unripe capsules of Papaver somniferum Linn, or its variety P. album Decand. Family – Papaveraceae. Geographical Source: It is mainly found in Turkey, Russia, Yugoslavia, Tasmania, India, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, China, Burma, Thailand and Laos. In India,…

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Alkaloids: Belladonna (deadly nightshade – बेलाडोना) – Pharmacognosy B Pharmacy 5th Semester

Atropa belladonna, commonly known as belladonna or deadly nightshade, is a poisonous perennial herbaceous plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae, which also includes tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant (aubergine). Atropa belladonna fruit of Atropa belladonna L.(poisonous) Leaves of Atropa belladonna Synonyms: Belladonna herb, Belladonna leaf, Deadly night shade leaves, Banewort, Death’s herb, Dwale; Poison black cherry, Folia belladonnae, बेलाडोना, कंटालिका – Hindi Biological Source: Belladonna consists of dried leaves and flowering tops of Atropa belladonna Linn. (European Belladonna). Family – Solanaceae. It contains about 0.35% of total alkaloids calculated as hyoscyamine. Geographical…

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Alkaloids: Vinca (sadabahar- सदाबहार) – Pharmacognosy B Pharmacy 5th Semester

Vinca is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, native to Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. Vinca  Seeds of Vinca White rosy periwinkle Synonyms: Vinca rosea, Catharanthus,  Madagascar  periwinkle. Periwinkle, Sadaphuli(सदाफूली), Sadabahar(सदाबहार) – Hindi Biological Source: Vinca is the dried entire plant of Catharanthus roseus Linn. Family – Apocynaceae. Geographical Source: Vinca is a native of Madagascar and is found in many tropical and subtropical countries especially in India, Austra-lia, South Africa and North and South America. The plant is cultivated as garden plant in Europe and India. Morphology/Macroscopics…

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Alkaloids: Rauwolfia (snakeroot – सर्पगन्धा) – Pharmacognosy B Pharmacy 5th Semester

Rauvolfia (also spelled Rauwolfia) is a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs, commonly known as devil peppers, in the family Apocynaceae. The genus is named to honor Leonhard Rauwolf. Rauwolfia serpentina Synonyms: Rauwolfia root, Serpentina Root, Chhotachand (छोटाचांद ), Sarpgandha(सर्पगन्धा), Chandrabagha(चंद्रबाहा ) – Hindi Biological Source: It consists of dried root of the plant known as Rauwolfia serpentina Benth. Family – Apocynaceae. Geographical Source: It is an erect, evergreen, small shrub native to the Orient and occurs from India to Sumatra. It is also found in Burma, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia,…

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Introduction to Pharmacognosy

Definition Pharmakon + Gnosis Pharmacognosy is derived from two Greek words: Pharmakon & Gnosis Pharmakon – means ‘drug’ Gnosis – means ‘knowledge’. In brief, Pharmacognosy means ‘knowledge of drugs’. It is a study of drugs that originate in the plant & animal kingdoms. What is Pharmacognosy Pharmacognosy is a branch of pharmacy which deals with the basic resources of medicines from nature (plant & animal) and their uses as medicaments from ancient time to present day. Pharmacognosy may be defined as an important branch of Pharmacy which deals with the…

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Ashwagandha (Palpotan) Plant – A Powerful Immunity Booster

Ashawgandha is small shrub with yellow flowers which is widely distributed from southern Europe to India and Africa. Synonyms:  Withania somnifera (Latin), Asgandah(Hindi), Pilpotan(Haryanvi), Amukura(Tamil), Asandh, Darogunj(Marathi) Indian ginseng(ginseng is a chinese plant) History: Ashwagansha as a medicine in Ayurved from last 3,000 – 4,000 year on the teaching of esteemed Rishi Sage (Punarvasu Atriya). Chemical Contituents: Main constituent: Alkaloid withanine Another constituents: Somniferine, pseudowithanine, tropine & pseudotropine, hygrine, isopellederine, anaferine, anahygrine and steroid lactones. Leaves contain steroid lactone, commonly known as Withanolide. Hygrine Tropine Withanolide D Withanolide F Uses: The roots, bark,…

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Ashwagandha(Palpotan) Plant – A powerful immunity booster

Ashawgandha is small shrub with yellow flowers which is widely distributed from southern Europe to India and Africa. Synonyms:  Withania somnifera (Latin), Asgandah(Hindi), Pilpotan(Haryanvi), Amukura(Tamil), Asandh, Darogunj(Marathi) Indian ginseng(ginseng is a chinese plant) History: Ashwagansha as a medicine in Ayurved from last 3,000 – 4,000 year on the teaching of esteemed Rishi Sage (Punarvasu Atriya). Chemical Contituents: Main constituent: Alkaloid withanine Another constituents: Somniferine, pseudowithanine, tropine & pseudotropine, hygrine, isopellederine, anaferine, anahygrine and steroid lactones. Leaves contain steroid lactone, commonly known as Withanolide. Hygrine Tropine Withanolide D Withanolide F Uses:…

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