Amadeo, Besas, Gonzales, A.

, Mondia, Tuico, Villacampa

Exercise No. 2
ORGANOLEPTIC DRUG EVALUATION

I. OBJECTIVE

To use the different human senses in evaluating drugs

II. DISCUSSION

Pharmacognosists use several ways to evaluate drug, namely: physical, chemical, biological,
pharmacological use and organoleptic. Organoleptic evaluation uses the senses to evaluate a drug, e.g.,
eyes- to know the appearance, color, size and features; nose- for odor; tongue- for taste; ear- for
fracture sound; and skin- for texture and feel.

III. MATERIALS

1. Collect the following plant sample:

A. UNDERGROUND B. AERIAL PARTS C. PLANT EXUDATES
PARTS
a. Labanos a. Eucalyptus a. Aloe
b. Potato b. Peppermint b. Rubber tree
c. Ginger c. Squash c. Soro-soro
d. Onion d. Cucumber d. Tawa-tawa
e. Gabi e. Chinese star anise e. Gatas-gatas

2. Examine the above plants according to the following:

a. Botanical origin
b. Parts used.
c. Color
d. Odor
e. Texture
f. External Markings
 IV. Tabulation

V. Answer the following questions, briefly and clearly.

1. What is drug evaluation?

- Drug use evaluation (DUE) is a systematic approach that assesses the appropriateness, safety, and
effectiveness of a medication to improve patient care. Drug evaluation may define as the determination of
identity, purity and quality of a drug. Identity means is to identification of biological source of the drug. Quality
of the quantity of the active constituent present. And purity for the extent of foreign organic material present in
a crude drug. Drug Evaluations will present an evaluated overview of the clinical experience with the orphan
designated compound. Although discussion should encompass basic pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, the
primary focus of the review should be the clinical efficacy of the compound.

2. What are the different methods of drug evaluation?

The different methods of drug evaluation are as follows:

 Organoleptic and Morphological evaluation: Evaluation by the methods of analysis like color, odor, taste,
size, shape and special features, such as touch, texture, etc. Obviously, the initial sight of the plant or
extract is so specific that it tends to identify itself.

 Microscopic evaluation: For identification of the pure powdered drug. This method allows more detailed
examination of a drug and their identification by their known histological characters. Microscope by the
virtue of its property to magnify, permits minute sections under study to enlarge so that leaf constants,
stomatal index, palisade ratio can be determined.

 Biologic evaluation: Pharmacological activities of drugs are evaluated by bioassays. When the estimation of
potency of crude drug or its preparations are done by means of measuring its effect on living organisms like
bacteria, fungal growth, or animal tissue, it is known as biological effect of the drug, compared to the
standard drug. By these methods, a crude drug can be assessed, and further clinical trial can be
recommended.

 Chemical evaluation: Chemical assays are best to determine potency and active constituents. It comprises
different tests and assays. The isolation, purification and identification of active constituents are the
methods of evaluation. Quantitative chemical tests such as acid value, saponification value etc. are also
covered under these techniques.

 Physical evaluation: Physical constants are applied to active principles. These are helpful in evaluation with
reference to moisture content, specific gravity, density, optic rotation etc.

3. What are the different steps in the preparation of crude drugs?

1) Collection - Medicinal plant materials should be collected during the appropriate season or time period
to ensure the best possible quality of both source materials and finished products. The amount of a
constituent is usually not constant throughout the life of a plant.
 2) Harvesting - The best time for harvest (quality peak season/time of day) should be determined
according to the quality and quantity of biologically active constituents rather than the total vegetative
yield of the targeted medicinal plant parts during harvest, care should be taken to ensure that no foreign
matter, weeds or toxic plants are mixed with the harvested medicinal plant materials.

3) Drying - The most common method for preserving plant material is drying. Enzymic processes take place in
aqueous solution. Rapid removal of the water from the cell will, therefore, largely prevent degradation of the
cell constituents. Drying must be done quickly, in other words at raised temperatures and with rapid and
efficient removal of the water vapor.

4) Garbling - is the final step in the preparation of a drug. It consists of the removal of extraneous matter, such
as other parts of the plant, dirt, and added adulterants. This is done, to some extent, during collection but
should be carried out after the drug is dried and before the drug is baled and packaged.

5) Preservation and storage - All the drugs should be preserved in well closed and, possibly in the filled
containers. They should be stored in premises which are waterproof, fireproof and rodent proof. A number of
drugs absorb moisture during their storage and become susceptible to the microbial growth.

4. Why do flowers require greater care in drying?

- Preserving flowers through drying necessitates meticulous attention because of their delicate attributes.
Flowers typically retain higher moisture levels than other plant parts, making them susceptible to mold and
rot if not dried properly. Their fragile petals can easily become damaged or distorted during the drying
process, requiring gentle handling to maintain their natural beauty. Furthermore, many flowers contain
volatile aromatic compounds responsible for their fragrance. Quick or high temperature drying can cause
the loss of these compounds, impacting their scent. Additionally, the vibrant colors, intricate shapes, and
unique textures of flowers are often desired for decorative purposes, necessitating specific drying
techniques to prevent color fading or shape distortion. To mitigate these challenges effectively, various
drying methods, such as air drying, pressing, or desiccant use, are tailored to the specific characteristics of
each type of flower, ensuring their successful preservation.
Sample Tabulation

PARTS
BOTANICAL ORIGIN COLOR ODOR TEXTURE EXTERNAL MARKINGS
PLANT USED

Roots of Roots of
Ginger Roots of Zingiber Ginger Ginger Ginger
Zingiber Zingiber

Crisp,
White skin and super thin
Labanos Root of Raphanus sativus Root White Pungent Crunchy, and
and unnoticeable lines
smooth

Waxy
Root of Earthy & a Have small pigments and
Potato Root Yukon gold starchy, and
Solanum tuberosum Bit Nutty flecking
firm

Crisp and Have layers of pigmented,

Onion Root of Allium cepa Root Red Pungent
crunchy papery scaly leaves

Brown exterior with a ring

Root of Colocasia Earthy Smooth and
Gabi Root Brown pattern resembling tree
esculenta smell starchy
bark

Often have white spots or

Mild, Thick, fleshy,
Leaves of Aloe streaks on the surface,
Aloe vera Leaves Green earthy, & smooth, &
barbadensis miller especially on mature
herbal rubbery
leaves.

Smooth,
Generally, no distinct
lance-shaped
Slightly markings, leaves are
Tawa-tawa Leaves of Euphorbia hirta Leaves Bright Green leaves with
Earthy usually uniform in color
serrated
and texture.
edges

Peppery
Peppermint Root of Mentha x piperita Root White Rough Lines
and mint

Leaves of Elaeophorbia Milky and Oblong shape with scars

Soro-soro Leaves Green Smooth
neriifolia earthy like, latex, and bumpy

Chemical
Like, Burnt
Rubber tree Sap of Havea brasiliensis Sap White Sticky Lines
Rubber
Smell
Fresh,
Fruit of Cucurbita citrusy, & Firm and With White powdery
Squash Fruit Orange
maxima slightly moist Scalloped edge/ridges
sweet
Smooth and
Flaky, Stringy, Smooth,
Fresh and waxy, with a
Eucalyptus Leaves of Myrtaceae Leaves Green Multi-colored bark and
Minty slightly
scribbles
leathery feel
 Mild, Fresh
Crisp, Tender Cylindrical but elongated
and
Cucumber Fruit of Cucurbitaceae Fruit Dark Green Skin and with tapered ends, with
Slightly
Moist Flesh stripes, bumps, scratches,
Earthy

Reddish stems and are

Little to no Rough and
Gatas-gatas Sap of Euphorbia Sap Green covered with yellowish
fragrance Hairy
hairs

Chinese Woody Star shape with scars like

Fruit of Illicium verum Fruit Rusty brown Dry, rough
Star anise spicy-sweet feature.