Chapter no.

2: Crude Drugs

TOPIC: PRODUCTION OF
CRUDE DRUGS

SUB TOPIC: SOURCE MATERIAL AND

ENVIROMENTAL FACTORS

Pharmacognosy-1A Basic (PHARM-415)

Course instructor: Hina Sharif

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INTRODUCTION

The crude drugs have passed through various

stages during production, all of which
influence the nature and quantity of active
constituents. These aspects are as follows:
Source material
Environmental conditions
Cultivated and wild plants
Collection
Drying
Storage
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A. SOURCE MATERIAL

The correct identification of the source

material is essential in the production of
crude drugs for detection of the
adulteration. Failure in this area can result
in
• poisoning
inactive products

For pharmacopoeial drugs, precise

macroscopic and microscopic characters are
available.
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 B.ENIROMENTAL FACTORS

Plant growth and development, and often

the nature and quantity of secondary
metabolites, are affected by environmental
factors including
 temperature,
 rainfall,
 length of day
 altitude.
Such effects have been studied by growing
particular plants in different climatic areas and
observing variations. 4
B.ENIROMENTAL FACTORS….continue

Cannabis experiment:
This research was conducted by El-Kheir et al. in
1986 on cannabis plant. Seeds of cannabis were
grown in England and Sudan. Following results
were obtained.
. ENGLAND SUDAN
High CBD (cannabidiol) In first generation THC
increase to 3.3% with
No THC (tetrahydro- further decease in
cannabinol) CBD by 3.3%

After few generation

High THC
No CBD
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B.ENIROMENTAL FACTORS….continue

Phytotrons
Phytotrons are the special laboratories in
which all the environmental factors are
independently controllable and are used for
experiments.

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B.ENIROMENTAL FACTORS….continue

Temperature:
Temperature is a major factor controlling the
development and metabolism of plants. It also
effect the
Quality of medicinal components of plants
Quantity of medicinal components of plants

Examples
formation of volatile oils is increased at higher
temperatures, although very hot days may lead
to an excess physical loss of oil.
The mean optimum temperature for nicotine
production in Nicotiana rustica is 20°C. 7
B.ENIROMENTAL FACTORS….continue

RAINFALL
Rainfall effect the vegetation and quality and
quantity of medicinal components of plants
Leaching
Continuous rain can lead to a loss of water-
soluble substances from leaves and roots by
leaching;
Example
In Cassia angustifolia short-term drought
increases the concentration of sennosides A+B
but in the longer term causes loss of leaf
biomass. 8
B.ENIROMENTAL FACTORS….continue

Day-length and radiation characteristics

The requirement of amount and intensity of light is
variable for different plants.
Example:
In belladonna full sunshine gives a higher content
of alkaloids than does shade.
Antitumour of In Catharanthus roseus, alkaloids is
increased by irrdiation with near ultraviolet light in
the range 290–380 nm (peak 370 nm)

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B.ENIROMENTAL FACTORS….continue

Altitude:
Altitude or height at which plant grow may
effect the quality and quantity of active
constituents.
Example
Tea, cocoa, coffee, require elevation.
Oil content of thyme and peppermint
decreases at high altitude.

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