Isothiocyanate glycosides

These glycosides upon hydrolysis, yield Mustard oil.

Plants containing these glycosides posses non-specific resistance against infection .

These agents posses following properties;

Vesicant

Rubefacient

Black Mustard

Botanical origin:Brassica nigra

Brassica juncea

Family:Brassicaceae

Part used:Dried seeds

Chemistry:Seeds contain active principle Sinigrin (potassium myrinate)

Upon hydrolysis, it produces;Mustard oil (allyl Isothiocyanate)

In addition to this, it contains;Fixed oilsProteinMucilages

Uses: Stimulant

Emetic

Diuretic

Condiment

Vesicant

Rubefacient

Lactone Glycosides

Cantharide Zoological origin:

Cantharis vesicatoria

Part used:Dried insects

Collection:Insects are collected during month of June an July in early morning when these are sluggish and inactive. Insects are killed by exposing them to fumes of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide or acetic acid. Insects are dried in an oven at temperature not exceeding 40°C and packed in air tight container with few drops of chloroform or carbon tetra chloride.

Chemistry:Active principle is Cantharidin.

In addition to this, it contains;Formic acidAcetic acidFatFixed oilUric acid

Uses: Counter irritant

Vesicant

Rubefacient

Aldehyde glycosides

VanillaBotanical origin:

Vanilla planifolia

Family:Orchidaceae

Part used:Vanilla beans

Collection:Fruit is collected when it is ripen to a yellow color. It is cured by dipping in warm water. Fruit is sun dried by placing it between woolen blankets in the sun during day and packing them in woolen blankets during night. After 2 months, 70-80% of original weight of fruit is lost and it takes a characteristic odor and color of vanilla i.e.

Color ….. Violet blackOdor …... Aromatic

Chemistry:Before curing, vanilla contains 2 glycosides;

GlucovanillinGlucovanillic acid

After curing, active principle is obtained i.e. Vanillin

Uses:Flavoring agent

Miscellaneous glycosides

GentianBotanical origin:

Gentiana lutea

Family:Gentianaceae

Part used:Dried rhizome and root

Collection:Rhizome and roots are collected from 4-5yeas old plant in autumn and for drying, two methods are used;

Quick drying processSlow drying process

Quick drying process

Drying is done immediately after collection, in sunlight. This drug contains bitter principle Gentiopicrin.

Slow drying process

Drying is done in open air. It takes 4-6 months for drug to dry completely. In this process, drug is allowed to ferment and loss most of its bitter principle and acquire aromatic quality that is desirable.

Chemistry:Active principle is Gentiopicrin.

After hydrolysis, it produces;GentiogeninGlucose

Uses:Flavoring agent

QuassiaBotanical origin:

Picrasma excelsa

Part used:Dried stem wood

Collection:Drug occurs as cubes or chips. It is dried in an oven at temperature not more than 40°C. The drug is dried to protect from fermentation.

Chemistry:Active principle is Quassin.

Quassin is complex of;PicrasminNeoquassin

Uses:Bitter tonic

Insecticide

Anthelmintic

DioscoreaBotanical origin:

Dioscorea bulbiferaDioscorea composita

Family:Dioscoreaceae

Part used:Dried rhizome and root

Collection:Rhizome and roots are collected from 3-5years old plant in autumn.

Chemistry:Active principle is Dioscin.

Upon hydrolysis, it produces;DiosgeninSugars ( 1 molecule of D-glucose + 2 molecules of L-rhamnose)

Uses:Synthesis of cortisone and steroidal drugs