B.

Pharm sem-4
BP 405 -PHARMACOGNOSY AND PHYTOCHEMISTRY -I
Unit-II
1. Cultivation, collection, processing and storage of crude drugs.

Dr. Bhavita Dhru

K B INSTITUTE OF PHARAMCEUTICAL EDUCAION AND RESEARCH,
GANDHINAGAR
What are Metabolites?
Metabolites are the by-products of metabolic reactions catalyzed by a variety of enzymes
found naturally in cells. Although this phrase is most commonly used to describe tiny
molecules, it is frequently used in a broader sense.
Plant Metabolites
Plant metabolites are a rich source of therapeutic chemicals, and their complex chemical
structures make them ideal for treating serious illnesses. Some have been identified as
potential alternative medications and lead molecules for drug repurposing and
development.
The metabolome is a complex web of metabolic reactions in which the products of one
enzymatic chemical activity are used as inputs in other chemical reactions.
Metabolites are formed as a result of the natural biochemical process of decomposing and
removing chemical substances, whether natural or pharmaceutical.

1. Primary Metabolites
2. Secondary Metabolites
The cell synthesizes primary metabolites because they are required for cell development.
Amino acids, alcohols, vitamins (B2 and B12), polyols, organic acids, and nucleotides (e.g.
inosine-5′-monophosphate and guanosine-5′-monophosphate) are all important
constituents.
Secondary metabolites are substances produced by an organism that aren’t required for
primary metabolic activities but can still be useful for environmental and other purposes.
Drugs, scents, flavors, dyes, pigments, insecticides, and food additives are some of the items
on the list, having uses in agriculture, industry, and pharmaceuticals. (e.g. antibiotics, toxins,
pheromones, enzyme inhibitors )

Secondary metabolites’ adaptability could lead to new medications for MDR (Multidrug
Resistant) bacteria.
 Differences between Primary and Secondary metabolite
Primary Metabolites
Required for growth and maintenance of cellular
function.
Occurs at the growth phase.
Produced in large amounts and easy to extract.
Same in every species.
Perform physiological functions in the body.
E.g. carbohydrates, vitamins, ethanol, lactic acid.
Secondary Metabolites
Involved in ecological functions.
Occurs at the stationary phase.
Produced in small amounts and difficult to extract.
Different in every species.
Derivatives of primary metabolites.
E.g. Phenolics, steroids, antibiotics, pigments.
Orange peel Senna leaves Nux vomica Ispaghula husk/seed

Ginger
rhizome

Clove flower buds Podophyllum

Cinchona bark

Murraya
Koineji

Coriander Linseed
Cultivation and Collection of Crude drugs:

The crude drugs which reach the market and pharmaceutical industries will have passed
through different stages that have some effect in the nature and amount of active
constituents responsible for therapeutic activity.
Those stages are to be concerned more in order to make a drug useful to the mankind by
all means.

This chapter concerns regarding such parameters which has some effect over plants.
 Cultivation produces improved quality of plants.

Its production of crop i.e.; Medicinal plants

It helps in selecting the species, varieties or hybrids that have the desired phytoconstituents
due to the controlled environmental growth better plant product is obtained and makes the
collection and processing steps easier when compared to wild sources.

Cultivation results in obtaining plants with maximum secondary metabolites.

 Medicinal plants are a source of bio-molecules with therapeutic potential and as a lead to develop new
drugs.
 Herbal medicines are considered as safer, better physiological compatibility and cost-effective.
 India is a gold mine of medicinal plants and a rich source of traditional medicinal knowledge.
 Demand for the medicinal plant is increasing with expansion in human needs, numbers and trade
purpose.

Plants are mostly collected from wild sources that may pose a serious situation, along with this loss of
biodiversity and forest is another major concern for sustainable supply of medicinal plants in the future. With
the increased realization that many species are collected from wild sources and being over-exploited, agencies
(private/public) are recommending bringing the important medicinal plants into cultivation systems.

Cultivation of medicinal plant can decrease the amount to which wild populations are harvested, it will also
help to preserve plant species from extinction and will promote socio-economic growth.
 Yam Sarpgandha Opium Periwinkle Aloe Guggal

Nux-vomica Amla Stevia Tulsi

However, it is strictly advised to consult with an Ayurvedic doctor before taking crude
drugs for any illness and only ingest the herbal formulation in the prescribed dosage to
avert (prevent/stop) any harmful side effects.
Hindi Name English Name Botanical Name Uses
Malabar Nut Adhatoda vasica Cough, Asthma, Bronchitis
Pineapple Ananas comosus Sore Throat, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity
Indian Gum Acacia arabica Willd Oral Care, Bleeding Gums, Wounds
Thyme leaf Bacopa monniera Pennel Enhances Memory, Anxiety
Coriander Coriandrum sativum Linn Useful in Indigestion, Controls Spasmodic Pain
Garlic Allium sativum Ringworm, Dysentery, Wounds, Heart health
Holy Basil Ocimum sactum Linn Indigestion,Respiratory Diseases
Lesser Cardamom Elettaria cardamomum Maton Nausea, Vomiting, Dry Cough
Margosa Tree Azadirachta Indica A. Juss Skin health, Eye Disorders, Bloody Nose, Intestinal Worms
Onion Allium cepa Linn Prostate health, Digestive
Asparagus Asparagus racemosus Willd Infertility, Uterine health, Improves Lactation

Indian Gooseberry Emblica officinalis Linn Antioxidant, Anti stress, Constipation, Fever
Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Bark Cinnamon Antibacterial, Antiseptic
Breyn
Liquorice Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn Digestive Disorders, Ulcers, Bronchitis, Skin health
 Cultivation of Aromatic or Medicinal plants:

Cultivation Farming

2 types/Methods
i) Asexual method (Vegetative Propagation)
ii) Sexual Method (Seed Propagation)
The advantages of cultivation may be briefly summarized as follows:
1. It ensures quality and purity of medicinal plants.
-uniformity
-kept free of weeds
2. Cultivation ensures regular supply of a crude drug
-method of crop-planning.
3. The cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants also leads to industrialization to a greater extent.
-The cultivation of cinchona -West Bengal
-opium –Ghaziabad
-Tea-Kerla, Darjilng
4. Cultivation permits application of modern technological aspects
such as mutation, polyploidy and hybridization.

5. Cultivation leads to industrialization in the country by the regular

supply of plants. Serves as a useful tool for research purposes.
Steps to prepared Crude drugs for medicinal purpose:
1. Cultivation of Crude Drugs:
Cultivation of medicinal plants requires intensive care and management. The conditions and duration of
cultivation required vary depending on the quality of medicinal plant materials required.

SOILS, SEEDS AND PROPAGATION MATERIAL

 The physical, chemical and microbiological properties of the soil play a crucial role in the growth of plants.
 Water holding capacity of different sizes of soil too affects the plants.
 The calcium present in the soil would be very much useful for some plants whereas the others does not require
calcium.

2. Collection of materials (based on parts used for medicinal purpose)

-it is a skilled operation and requires some professional excellence

3. Processing of materials (Specially remove moisture)

4. Storage of the Materials (based on parts of part used and type and chemical
constituents of materials)
CULTIVATION-
It involves convergence of various pharmaceutical and environmental factors like rainfall,
irrigation, fertilizers, pests, humidity, light and temperature. When all these factors are
precisely controlled to grow plants, the process is known as Cultivation.
1.Asexual method (Vegetative Propagation)
2. Sexual Method (Seed Propagation)
Advantages-
 Production of better quality plants.
 Better yield and therapeutic activity.
 Regular supply of herbs is possible.
 It leads to industrialization.
 It permits application of modern and scientific technology. Example- Mutation and Hybridization.
Disadvantages-
 High cost
 The loss may be due to ecological imbalance such as storms, earthquakes, floods. etc. are major
disadvantages of cultivation.
 The plants which are sufficiently obtained from wild sources for them cultivation is not beneficial.
Questions:
1.Enlist the secondary metabolites of plants.
2. Enlist the primary metabolites of plants.
3. Write the three important advantages of cultivation.
4. What is mutation?
5. What is Polyploidy?
6. Cultivation of medicinal plants requires intensive care and management.
7. Write the advantages of Cultivation.
8. Write the botanical name of Neem, Vasaka, and Tulsi.
9. Differentiate: Primary metabolites and Secondary metabolites
10. Which is the factor affecting seed germination?