pharmacognosy

1. Fruits
(Latin: Fructus)

2. Typical carpel
Fruit
Defined as the whole product of
development of the gynaecium
as a result of fertilization.

4. Fruit Formation:
• After fertilization,
The ovary enlarges to form the fruit.
The ovarian wall becomes the fruit wall it is
called the Pericarp.
The ovules become the seeds.
A fruit may have one or more seeds.
The petals, sepals and other parts of the flower
start to wither away and fall off.

6. Fruit Function:
1- Protection of the seeds.
2- Nourishment of the seeds.

7. Fruits
True Fruit False Fruit
Composite,
multiple or
collective fruit
Simple Aggregate
Succulent Dry
Berry Drupe

8. Macroscopical and Microscopical
Characters of Fruits
• Macroscopical characters of fruits:
• Any fruit has two scars:
1- Minute apical scar marking the remains of
the style.
2- Large basal scar marking the attachment of
the stalk of the parent plant.

9. • The external surface of the fruit may be:
- Smooth as in Capsicum.
- Hairy as in Anise.
- Spiny as in Stramonium.
- Transversely striated as in Senna.
- Wrinkled as in Vanilla.
- Glabrous as in Fennel.
- Granular as in Citrus fruits.
- Longitudinal striated as in Cardamom.
- Reticulated as in black pepper.
- Ridged as in Umbelliferous fruits.

10. • Typical fruit consists of the swollen modified
ovary wall known as Pericarp, enclosing its
seeds arranged on the placenta, the wall of
the pericarp is divided into three zones i.e. the
epicarp (exocarp), the mesocarp and the
endocarp.

11. • The epicarp (exocarp): It is the outer
zone of the pericarp, it may be:
-Thin and membranous i.e. Umbelliferae
- Leathery i.e. Banana
- Thick and hard i.e. Colocynth

12. • The mesocarp:
• It is the middle zone lying in between the epicarp
(exocarp) and the endocarp in which the vascular
bundles exist, it may be:
• Parenchymatous i.e. Colocynth
• Consist of several layers of different types.
• The endocarp:
• It is the inner zone of the pericarp, it may be:
• Membranous i.e Date.
• Thick and leathery i.e. Cassia pods.
• Woody and thus constitutes the stone of the fruit
i.e.Olive.

13. Microscopical characters
• Epicarp outer epidermis
• Mesocarp parenchyma cells traversed by
vascular bundles
• Endocarp inner epidermis

14. Official Fruits
a- Umbelliferous Fruits b-Non-Umbelliferous Fruits
- Fructus Ammi Visnagae.
- Fructus Ammi Majus.
- Fructus Anisi.
- Fructus Carvi.
- Fructus Corianderi.
- Fructus Foeniculi.
- Fructus Capsici.
- Fructus Colocynthidis.
- Fructus Sennae.
- Flavedo Auranti amara
(orange peel).
- Flavedo Lemonis
(Lemon peel).

15. Non-Official Fruits of Medicinal
importance
- Fructus Cardui mariae (Milk thistle).
- Fructus Crataegi (Hawthorn).
- Fructus papaveris (Poppy capsule).
- Fructus Tritici (wheat grain).
- Fructus Vanillae (Vanilla pod).
- Strobili Lupuli (Hops).

16. Umbelliferous Fruits

17. Umbelliferous fruits
• General characters of Umbelliferous Fruits:
• 1- They are usually cremocarps either entire
or separated into its mericarps.
• (one cremocarp = two mericarps)
mericarps

18. • 2- From bilocular bicarpellary inferior ovaries.
• 3- The carpophore connects the mericarps.
• 4- The carpophore is attached to the stalk.
carpophore
stalk

19. • 5- At the apex of the fruit there are the
remains of the sepals and style forming the
stylopod.

21. • 3- Each mericarp has two surfaces, a flat
surface called the commissural surface
“ventral” and a rounded one called the dorsal
surface.
• 4- The mericarp is ridged with 5 primary and 4
secondary ridges.

22. 5- A bicollateral vascular bundle is found under
each primary ridge.
6- A schizogenous duct (vittae) is located under
each secondary ridge.
7- Two more vittae are located towards the
commisural surface.
8- The endocarp cells may divide to form a
parquetory-like structure.

23. • 6- Each mericarp encloses a single seed
derived from anatropus ovule, the seeds show
a large oily endosperm, small epical embryo
and a raphe in the middle of the commissural
side.

25. Members of the family Umbelliferae
• 1- Fennel
• 2-Anise
• 3- Ammi visnaga
• 4- Ammi majus
• 5- Caraway
• 6- Dill
• 7- Cumin

26. Fennel Fruit
• Botanical Origin:
• Fennel is the dried ripe fruits
of Foeniculum vulgare known
as sweet fennel, Family:
Umbellifereae.
• Geographical origin:
• The plant is native to the
Mediterranean coasts.
• Cultivated Egypt.
‫الشمر‬ ‫ثمر‬
Fructus Foeniculi,Fenchelsame, Shamar

27. Macroscopical characters:

28. Macroscopical characters:
• Condition: dried cremocarp
• Colour: yellowish green to
yellowish brown coloured
• Surface: glabrous
• Shape: oval with bifid styploid
• Odour: aromatic
• Taste: sweet, aromatic and
agreeable.

29. • The transverse cut shows the presence of:
• primary ridges in each mericarp, in each of
which is a vascular strand,
• six brown vittae; four in the dorsal side and
two in the commissural side,
• large oily endosperm
• and a small apical embryo.

30. T.S in Fennel Fruit mericarp

31. T.S in Fennel Fruit mericarp

32. • Powdered fennel fruits:
• Colour: yellowish-brown to greenish-brown.
• Odour: a pleasant aromatic odour.
• Taste: sweet agreeable aromatic taste.
Fragments of the epicarp
(anomocytic stomata)
the vittae
(simple)
reticulate parenchyma
of the mesocarp
Fragments of the endocarp
(parquetory parenchyma)

36. Active constituents:
• 1- Volatile oils (2-5%) and not less than 1.4 % of
which contains mainly Anethole (60-80 %) and the
terpene ketone Fenchone (20%).
• 2- Flavonoids: Kaempferol, quercetin, iso-quercetin
and rutin.
• 3- -Proteins (16-20 %)
- fixed oils (12-18 %)
- Minerals (relatively high Ca & K)
- Sugars
- Vitamins

37. Actions and Uses:
• 1- It is aromatic, carminative and regulates the
peristaltic function of the GIT.
• 2- It promotes the function of liver, spleen and
kidneys.
• 3- Clears the lungs (volatile oil is proven to have a
secretolytic action in the respiratory tract) so
fennel can be used as a gargle for sore throats and
as a mild expectorant.

38. • 4- promotes the breast milk production
(lactogogue) and has anti-inflammatory effect.
• 5- an aid to weight loss.
• 6- agreeable aromatic flavoring agent.
• 7- The volatile oil has a pronounced estrogenic
activity.
• 8- The fixed oil is suggested as a substitute for
cocoa butter in the preparation of suppositories.

39. • Contraindications:
• Fennel in high doses is a uterine stimulant
therefore contraindicated in pregnancy.
• Side effects:
• In rare cases, allergic reactions affecting the skin
and respiratory system.

40. • Special chemical tests:
• Powdered fennel fruits + Sudan III
examined under the microscope
orange colored oil globules, evaporated
when the slide is warmed.

41. • Adulterants:
• Exhausted fruits:
• Includes the fruits partially exhausted of their oil
by distillation in a current of alcohol vapour in
liquor-making, as well as the residues obtained
after distillation with water or in a current of
steam.

42. • Botanical Origin:
• It is the dried ripe fruits
of Pimpinella anisum,
Family: Umbellifereae
(Apiaceae).
Anise Fruits
Fructus Anisi
‫ثمر‬‫األنيسون‬
Anise, Anisum, Anason, Anasur, Anisu, Aniseed,
Semen Anisi

43. Macroscopical characters

44. • Macroscopical characters:
• Condition: dried cremocarp
• Colour: greyish brown or greyish
• Surface: rough due to the
presence of numerous very short,
stiff hairs
• Shape: ovoid conical, pear-
shaped
• Odour: strong aromatic agreeable
odour
• Taste: sweet aromatic taste.

45. T.S in Anise Fruit mericarp

46. Powdered Anise Fruits:
• Color: grey, greenish-brown or
yellowish brown.
• Odour: strong aromatic,
agreeable & characteristic
odour.
• Taste: sweet strongly aromatic
taste.

47. fragments of epicarp
lignified parenchyma.
Aleurone grains
Calcium oxalate micro-
rosette crystals
the vittae
(branched)
Conical non-glandular hairs
covered with warty cuticle

50. • Active Constituents:
1- Anise fruits yield from 1.5 -3.5 % of volatile
oil containing up to 90 % of the phenolic ether
trans-anethol which is chiefly responsible for
the taste and the smell.
2- Anise fruits also contain: - protiens,
- coumarins
- (8-11 %) fixed oil.

51. • Actions and Uses:
• 1- employed as an aromatic carminative.
• 2- used as an expectorant depending on the
secretolytic and secretomotor effects of its
essential oil (like fennel).
• 3- used in hard dry cough where expectoration is
difficult. So, it may be used in bronchitis in case of
persistent irritable coughing and in whooping
cough.
• 4- The volatile oil is used widely in
pharmaceutical preparation i.e. it has long been
used for relieving colic in children.
• 5- The volatile oil of anise exhibits marked
estrogenic activity.

52. • 6- Anise also has sedative action.
• 7- In folk medicine, used as lactogauge and
emenagauge.
• 8- Essential oil is used externally (in fatty oil or
ointment vehicle) as a stimulating liniment.
• 9- Oil is also employed in food and drink
industry as a flavour enhancer.
• Contraindications:
• Allergy to anise fruits and anethole.

53. • Side effects:
• Occasional allergic reactions of the skin,
respiratory tract and GIT.
• Special Chemical tests:
• Powdered anise fruits + Sudan III
examined under the microscope
orange-red colored oil globules which are
evaporated when the slide is warmed.

55. Adulterants:
• Botanical Origin:
Hemlock is obtained from the dried
ripe fruits of Conium
maculatum, Family:
Umbelliferae (Apiaceae)
Fructus Conii ‫الشوكران‬ ‫ثمر‬
Hemlock

56. Hemlock can be distinguished from
Anise fruit
• Morphologically:
- Smaller in size.
- Slight odour and taste.
- Having crenate ridges, often separated into
mericarps.
• Histologically:
- Absence of vittae and hairs.

58. • Chemically:
• Can be detected by rubbing the fruits with a
solution of caustic alkalis strong mice
like odour.
• Active Constituents:
• Hemlock contains coniine alkaloid and other
related alkaloids.
• Contraindications:
• Hemlock is contra-indicated in pregnancy.

59. • Actions and Uses:
• 1- It is analgesic, anti-spasmodic and emetic.
• 2- In very small doses, it is used to treat a
variety of cases, including tumors, epilepsy,
whooping cough and rabies and as an anti-
dote to strychnine poisoning.
• 3- It is also used externally in ointments and
oils on treatment of malignant tumors
(especially breast cancer), anal fissures and
hemorrhoids.

60. • Side effects:
- Hemlock can cause congenital anomalies.
• Toxicity:
- Hemlock is highly toxic.
- Toxicity characterized by:
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Vertigo
- Muscular weakness
- Weak pulse
- Paralysis of breathing

61. • Medical treatment:
- Gastric lavage.
- artificial respiration.
- emetics.

62. • Botanical Origin:
• Dried ripe fruits of Illicum
verum, Family: Magnoliaceae.
• Geographical Origin:
• China
Allied Drugs
Fructus Anisi stellati ‫نجمى‬ ‫أنيسون‬
Chinese Star Anise Star Anise

63. • Active Constituents:
- 5 % volatile oil (2.5% in seed and 10% in follicle)
- With trans anethole as the major constituent.
• Actions and Uses:
• 1- It is reported to be: -analgesic,
• - anti-septic,
- carminative,
- anti-rheumatic,
- expectorant,
- lactogauge,
- diuretic and
- stomachic.

64. • 2- It is used in cough medicine and cough
drops perhaps due to expectorant cineole
content which increases liquid secretions from
mucous membranes, facilitating productive
coughs.

65. • Botanical Origin:
• Coriander is the dried ripe
fruits of Coriandrum sativum,
Family: Umbelliferae
(Apiaceae).
• The unripe fruit has a strong
disagreeable odour.
Coriander fruit ‫الكزبرة‬ ‫ثمرة‬
Fructus Coriandri, Coriander, Coriandrum

66. Macroscopical characters

67. • Macroscopical characters:
• Condition: dried cremocarp
• Colour: brownish-yellow or brown in colour.
• Surface: Nearly glabrous
• Shape: sub-spherical or globular
• Odour: an aromatic odour.
• Taste: aromatic spicy and characteristic taste..
• Each is crowned by 5 small sepals and a short
conical stylopod.

68. T.S of coriander fruit

69. • Powdered Coriander fruits:
• Colour: light brown to brown.
• Odour: aromatic.
• Taste: characteristic.
Parquetry endocarp +
porous innermost
layer of mesocarp
Simple vittae
Crossed wavy
schlerenchyma fibresHairs and starch granules, absent.

70. • Active Cnstituents:
• 1- Volatile oil (1% up tp 1.8 % according to
origin) containing D(+) linalool (55-74%).
• 2- Fats (up to 26 %), its main fatty acids are
oleic and linolenic acids.
• 3- Flavonoid glycosides ( quercetin, iso-
quercetin and rutin), coumarins and phenolic
acids.

71. • Actions and Uses:
• 1- Coriander is more often used as a spice than a
medicine.
• 2- It is used as a stomachic, spasmolytic,
carminative and flavoring agent.
• 3- It has a bactericidal and fungicidal properties.
• 4- It is useful for sub-acid gastritis, diarrhea and
dyspepsia of various origins.
• 5-It has been reported to have strong lipolytic
activity.
• 6- the high percent of fats and protein make
distillation residues suitable for animal feed.
• 7- The volatile oil of coriander is widely used in
perfumery.

72. • Contraindication:
• Not known
• Side effects:
• Powdered coriander may give rise to allergic
reactions due to 5- and 8- methoxypsoralen,
imperatorin and other photoactive
compounds present in various parts of the
plant, including fruits.

73. • Adulterants:
• 1- Bombay Coriander fruits:
• Fruits are ellipsoidal
• About 5-8 mm long and 3-4.5 mm wide
• Contain little volatile oil.
• 2- Fenugreek seeds cereal fruits:
• Other small fruits and seeds where their
macroscopical and microscopical characters
easily distinguished.

74. • Special chemical tests:
• Powdered coriander fruits + Sudan III
• Examined under the microscope
• orange-red coloured oil globules are
produced which are evaporated when the
slide is warmed.

75. • Botanical Origin:
• Ammi visnaga fruits are the dried ripe
fruits of Ammi visnaga, Family:
Umbelliferae (Apiaceae).
• Geographical source:
• The plant is indigenous to the Nile Delta,
the Fayoum, the Mediterranean region
and the Near East.
Ammi visnaga fruits ‫البلدى‬ ‫الخلة‬ ‫ثمر‬
Fructus Visnagae, Visnaga fruit, Fruita de Khella,
Toothpick fruit, Bizrul Khellah

76. • Macroscopical characters:
• Condition: dried cremocarp
• Colour: brownish to greenish brown in color with
a violet tinge
• Surface: glabrous
• Shape: small ovoid
• Odour: slight aromatic
• Taste: aromatic bitter and slightly pungent

77. • The transverse cut of the mericarp is an almost
regular pentagonal shaped showing a pericarp
with six vittae, four in the dorsal and two in the
commisural side with five vascular strands.
radiating club-shaped cell

78. • Powdered Ammi visnaga fruits:
• Color: brown.
• Odour: slightly aromatic.
• Taste: aromatic bitter and slightly pungent.
Simple vittae + non parquetry
endocarp + porous innermost
layer of mesocarp

79. • Active Constituents:
• 1- Furano-chromones bitter principles (2-4%)
named: Khellin (visammin), Visnagin, Khellol and
its glucoside Khellinol.
• 2- Pyrano-coumarins (Visnagans) named:
Visnadin, Samidin and di-hydrosamidin.
• 3- Traces only of the furano-coumarins as
Xanthotoxin and Ammidin.
• 4- Flavonoids: Quercetin and Iso-rhamnetin and
their 3-sulphates, Kampferol.
• 5- Essential oil (0.02-0.03%) containing camphor,
carvone, α-terpineol and linalool along with cis-
and trans-linalool oxides.
• 6- Fixed oil and protein.

80. • Actions and Uses:
• The drug acts as a spasmolytic especially on the
muscles of the bronchi, GIT, biliary tract, urogenital
system and the coronary vessels.
• 1- the drug is indicated for whooping cough, cramp-like
conditions of the GIT, biliary colic and painful
menstruation.
• 2- It is used for the removal of small bladder and
kidney stones by relaxing the muscles of the ureter, it
also reduces the pain caused by the trapped stones and
helps ease the stone down into the bladder.

81. • 3- The drug relaxes the coronary arteries, helps to
improve the blood supply to the heart muscle
and thereby eases angina pectoris.
• 4- It is now given for bronchial asthma and is safe
even to children. Khellin may also have a role to
play in the treatment of vitiligo and psoriasis.
• 5- It acts as a diuretic.
• N.B.: The essential active principles are furano-
chromones (Khellin and Visnagin).
• The coumarin derivative (visnadin and Samidin)
are involved in the overall effects especially
through their spasmolytic coronary dilating
action.

82. • Contraindications:
• Ammi visnaga is contraindicated in pregnancy due to
emmenagouge and uterine stimulating activity of
Khellin.
• Side effects:
• 1- May cause photodermatitis in sensitive individuals
(avoid long exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet
radiation while taking Khella).
• 2- Prolonged use or an overdose may cause nausea,
vertigo, constipation, lack of appetite, headache,
allergic symptoms (itching) and sleeplessness.

83. • Chemical Tests:
• Boil about 0.1 g of powdered Ammi visnaga +
5 ml water for a minute, filter, add 1 or 2
drops of the filterate to a pellet of sodium
hydroxide, a rose red colour is produced
within two minutes.

84. • Botanical Origin:
• Ammi majus is the dried
ripe fruits of Ammi
majus L., Family:
Umbelliferae/Apiaceae.
Fructus Ammi majus ‫الشيطانى‬ ‫الخلة‬ ‫ثمر‬
Ammi majus Bizrul Khella Al-shetani

85. • Macroscopical Characters:
• Closely resembles Ammi visnaga but can be
differentiated by the following:
• 1- Ammi majus is larger in size about 3mm &
1.5 mm wide.
• 2- The mericarp is oval, oblong almost
cylindrical with yellowish brown outer surface
but with no violet tinge.

86. • Active constituents:
• Contains:
- Psoralene which is furano-coumarin bitter
principles formerly known as ammoidin but it
was found to be a mixture of 3 bitter
principles which are xanthotoxin, bergapten
and imperatorin.
- Fixed oils
- proteins

87. • Actions and Uses:
• Used as paint from the fruit is used in the
treatment of leucodermia (veitiligo) because
psoralene stimulates pigment production in
skin exposed to UV light.
• Used in combined herbal therapy for alopecia
and psoriasis.
• Special chemical test:
• Alcoholic extract of Ammi majus fruit (1 in 10)
gives a blue fluorescence in ultraviolet light
(due to furanocoumarin content).

88. • Contraindications:
• In sensitive persons it may cause
photodermatits.
• Side effects:
• Excess of the drug cause nausea, diarrhea and
headache.

89. Caraway ‫الكراوية‬ ‫ثمر‬
• Botanical origin:
• Caraway is the dried ripe
fruit of Carum carvi Linn.,
• Family: Umbelliferae

90. caraway vitta

92. • Active constituents:
• 1- Essential oil (3-7%):
• the main odoriferous component is (+)
carvone (up to 65%),
dihydrocarvone,
carveol,
and limonene.
2- Fixed oil (10-18 %).
3- proteins, carbohydrates and flavonoids.

93. • Actions and uses:
• 1- stomachic as it promotes gastric secretions
and stimulates appetite.
• 2- excellent spasmolytic activity.
• 3- Caraway oil has marked fungicidal activity.
i.e the diluted volatile oil is a useful remedy for
scabies.
• 4- The volatile oil is included in mouthwashes
and gargles.
• 5- as a spice, taste enhancer and improves
tolerance to food causing flatulence e.g. cabbage

94. • Special chemical test:
- using Sudan III for volatile oil.
• Contraindications: Not known.
• Side effects: Not known.
• Adulterants:
• 1-Exhausted fruits.
• 2- Small stems and rays of the umbels.
• 3- Indian dill (fruits of Anethum sowa).
• 4- Seeds of Nigella sativa (Family:
Ranunculaceae) are sometimes known as
black caraway.

96. Dill fruits ‫الشبت‬ ‫ثمر‬
• Botanical origin:
Dill is the dried ripe fruits
of Anethum graveolens,
Family: Umbelliferae.

97. • Active constituents:
- Volatile oil (3-4%) which contains carvone (53-63%).
• Uses:
- aromatic stimulant.
- carminative to relieve flatulence particularly in
infants.

98. Cumin ‫الكمون‬ ‫ثمر‬
• Botanical origin:
• Cumin is the dried ripe
fruits of Cuminum
cyminum, Family:
Umbelliferae.

100. shaggy hair of
Cumin

101. • Active constituents:
• 1- volatile oil (2.5-4%)
- Egyptian cumin contains up to 7.5 %.
- contains 50% cuminic aldehyde, perialdehyde
and pinene.
• 2- fixed oil and flavonoids.
• Uses:
• 1- one of the most common spice.
• 2- stimulant and carminative.
• 3- In folk medicine, as a remedy for colic.

103. Non-Umbelliferous Fruits

104. Non-Umbelliferous fruits
Official fruits
Capsicum Fruits ‫الشطة‬ ‫ثمر‬
• Botanical Origin:
• Capsicum is the dried
ripe fruits of Capsicum
minimum Roxb.,
Family: Solanaceae.

105. • Macroscopical characters:
• Fruit color:red or orange (berry).
• Seeds:pale yellow or white .
• Odor: characteristic & irritant for the
mucous membranes .
• Taste: pungent burning sensation.

106. L.S in Capsicum Fruit

107. • color: red or orange
• Odor: characteristic &
irritant for the
mucous membranes .
• Taste: pungent with
burning sensation.
Powder:

108. Powder:
Sclerides of the endocarp (S.V)
Sclerides of the testa (S.V)

109. Epidermis of the pedicel in
surface view
showing a covering trichome.
epidermis of the calyx in
surface view
showing glandular
trichomes.

110. Active constituents:
1- Pungent principles named Capsaicinoids, including:
Capsaicin, 6,7-dihydrocapsaicin and homocapsaicin.
• The pungency of Capsicum is not destroyed by
treatment with alkalies as capsaicin is a fatty acid
amide which can be destroyed by oxidation with
potassium dichromate or permanganate.
3- Minute quantities of liquid non-pungent alkaloid
Capsicine.
4- Carotenoid pigments.
5- Steroid glycosides (including Capsicosides A,B,C and D)

111. Actions and Uses:
• The medicinal value of Capsicum is directly
related to its pungency.
• 1- Capsicum fruits are used as condiment.
• 2- Internally, the drug is given in dyspepsia and
flatulence.
• 3- Externally, it is used in different formulations
(ointments, plasters…) as a pain controller for the
relief of rheumatism, lumbago.
 The drug is used as a deterrent for thumb
sucking or nail biting in children.

112. • Contraindications:
• Capsicum is contraindicated in application on
injured skin, allergies to Capsicum preparations.
• Side effects:
• 1- The use of Capsaicin cream. Some people may
have an allergic reaction to the cream, so the first
application should be to na very small area of skin.
• 2- Oral intake can cause burning in the mouth and
throat and can cause the nose to run and eyes to
water.
• 3- People with ulcers, heartburn or gastritis should
use any cayenne- containing product cautiously as it
may worsen their condition.

113. • Chemical tests:
• 1- Capsaicin gives a bluish- green colour on
the addition of few drops of FeCl3
• 2- When Capsaicin dissolved in H2SO4 and a
small piece of sucrose sugar is added a violet
colour is developed after few hours.

115. Colocynth bulb “Bitter apple”
‫الحنظل‬ ‫ثمر‬
• Botanical origin:
• Colocynth is the dried unripe
but fully grown fruits of
Citrullus colocynthis (Linn.)
Scharder, Family:
Cucurbitaceae, deprived of its
seeds and outer hard pericarp.
• It contains not more than 5
percent of its seeds and not
more than 2 percent of the
outer sclerenchymatous part
of the pericarp.

116. • Perennial climbing herb ,the
fruit size like the size of orange
fruit .
• yellow colored with brown or
white seeds .
• Odorless .
• Taste : very bitter .

117. • epidermal cells of colocynth seed

118. • Active constituents:
• 1- an amorphous resin which is soluble in ether
and chloroform and also causes drastic purgation.
• 2- Cucurbitacins, i.e Cucurbitacins E, B and L.
• 3- Crystalline alcohol citrullol.
• 4- Flavonoids: vitexin and isovitexin.
• 5- Fixed oil in the seeds.

119. 1- gastrointestinal stimulant and so considered as one
of the most powerful purgatives acting as a
hydragogue cathartic.
2- Cucurbitacins are reported as potent cytotoxic.
3- In folk medicine it is used as anti-rheumatic.
4- Flavonoid content found to have moderate
antimicrobial activity.
Actions and uses:

120. 1. Inflammation in GIT .
2. Nausea .
3. Cramps .
4. Purgative .
5. In large doses toxic .
Side effects

121. Special chemical test:
Aqueous extract of Colocynth
+
90% H2SO4
Reddish colour

122. Senna pods ‫السنامكى‬ ‫ثمر‬
• Botanical origin:
• Senna pods are the dried ripe fruits of
Cassia acutifolia known as
Alexandrian Senna pods and of Cassia
angustifolia known as Indian or
Tinnevelly Senna pods, Family:
Leguminoseae, it contains not more
than 2% of foreign matter.

123. Cassia acutifolia –Alexandrian (Egyptian)
Senna
Cassia angustifolia —Indian Senna
Family: Leguminosae

124. • Active constituents:
• 1- Anthraquinone glycosides, named
Sennosides A, B, C and D.
• 2- Mucilage, fixed oils and proteins.
• 3- Flavonoids: derivatives of Kaempferol and
isorhamnetin.

125.  Strong laxative (purgative) for short term use
in habitual (acute) constipation.
N.B. (abdominal operations , anal-rectal
operation ,hemorrhoids , x-ray for intestines).
Mechanism:
1.Stimulant laxative (contact) which increases
intestinal motility causes abdominal cramps
(spasm) .
2. It soften the faeces by increasing the flow of
water and electrolytes into the large intestine.
Actions and uses:

126. • Contraindications:
• 1- Pregnancy and lactation.
• 2- Appendix and colon inflammations.
• 3- Cardiac diseases (as Senna pods decrease
the potassium levels causing hypokalemia
which can cause decreasing the tone of the
cardiac muscle.
• 4- Children less than twelve years, Senna can
cause intestinal paralysis.
• 5- Anti-arrhythmic drugs.

127. Senna should not be used by persons with:
1. intestinal obstruction.
2. ulcerative colitis.
3. Chronic heart failure (C.H.F).
4. Gastrointestinal bleeding and inflammations.
N.B This herb should not be used for longer than 1-2
weeks ( habit forming medication).

128. Special chemical tests:
• Borntrager’s test:
• For Aglycones (free anthraquinones):
• Extract plant material with organic solvent.
• Shake with NH4OH OR KOH.
• Modified Borntrager’s test:
• Boil plant material with dil. HCl for 10 min, filter and shake
with organic solvent (Ether or Benzene).
• Separate the organic solvent.
• Shake with NH4OH OR KOH.
• Positive result indicated by Rose Red colour in
the aqueous alkaline layer.

130. Bitter orange peel ‫النارنج‬ ‫قشر‬
• Botanical origin:
• It is the peel of the fruit of
Citrus aurantium var.
amara, Family: Rutaceae.

131. Active Constituents:
• 1- Volatile oil mainly limonine as main constituent.
• 2-Bitter principles i.e aurantiamarin and aurantiamaretic
acid.
• 3- Alkaloids i.e. Synephrine and N-methyl tyramine.
• 4-Bitter tasting flavonoid glycosides such as neohisperidin.
• 5- Small amounts of vitamin A, B and C.
• 6- Non-bitter flavonoids, such as hesperidin.
• 7- Pectic substances in the white rind.

132. • Actions and Uses:
• 1- Flavoring agent.
• 2- loss of appetite, nasal congestion.
• 3- applied to the skin for fungal infections such as
ringworm and athlete’s foot.
• 4- Anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.
• 5- for weight loss, Synephrine alkaloids (extracted from
Citrus aurantium).
• 6- Hesperidin and other flavonoids used as remedy of
capillary fragility.

134. Lemon Peel ‫الليمون‬ ‫قـشر‬
• Botanical origin:
• It is the peel of the fruit
Citrus lemonis, family:
Rutaceae.

135. • Active constituents:
• 1- Flavonoids especially neohesperosides and
rutenoides of hesperitin.
• 2- Volatile oil containing mainly limonine and
citral.
• 3- Vitamin C and citric acid.

136. • Actions and Uses:
• 1- Aromatic flavoring agent and stomachic.
• 2- The oil is extensively used in cosmetic
preparations and perfumery.

137. Non-official fruits
Silybum fruits -‫البرى‬ ‫الحرشف‬ ‫الجمل‬ ‫شوك‬
Milk thistle
• Origin:
• The ripe fruits freed from
their pappus (tuft of silky
hairs) of Silybum
marianum L., Family:
Compositae (Asteraceae).

138. Active Constituents:
• 1- Flavolignans collectively known as
(Silymarin). It is a mixture of isomeric
flavolignans: Silybin, Silychristin and Silidianin.
• 2- Fixed oil and proteins.

139. Actions and Uses:
• 1- Crude milk thistle preparations are used
internally for dyspeptic complaints.
• 2- Formulations of milk thistle are approved for
the following:
a) Protection of the liver from toxins (including
alcohols, carbon tetrachloride,…..etc.).
b) Treatment of liver diseases, acute and chronic
liver hepatitis.
c) Treatment of fatty degeneration of liver and
liver cirrhosis.
d) Gall bladder disorders.

140. Mechanism of action of Silymarin:
• 1- it increases the regeneration of liver cells by
stimulation of protein synthesis thus activating the
liver’s ability to regenerate itself.
• 2- It alters the structure of the outer cell
membrane of hepatic cells to inhibit the passage
of toxins, i.e. it provides hepato-cellular protection
by stabilizing hepatic cell membrane.
• 3- It increases glutathione levels in liver cells and
so acts as a free radical scavenging agent
‘antioxidant’.

141. • Contraindications:
• None known and even no restrictions known
during pregnancy and lactation.
• Side effects:
• Crude preparations: Not known.
• Formulations: A mild laxative effect.

142. Vanilla pods ‫الفـانـيـلـال‬ ‫ثـمـر‬
• Origin:
• The dried and cured
fully grown but unripe
fruits of Vanilla
planifolia, known as
Mexican vanilla, Family:
Orchidaceae.

143. • Preparation “Curing Vanilla pods”:
– Killing or Wilting
– Sweating
– Drying
– Conditioning

144. Wilting or Killing
• Purpose
– Stop bean growth
– Initiates enzymatic reactions
– Pod/bean turns brown
• Methods
– Sun wilting
– Oven wilting

145. Sweating
• Purpose is to promote
– Enzymatic activity
– Initial drying
• Method
– Remove from oven (40°C)
– Sweating boxes
– Cover to keep in heat for 24
hours

146. Drying
• Purpose
– Slow drying
– 30% of original weight
• Sun drying
– Laid out on mat cover concrete or
brick floor
– 4-6 hours
– Pick up and return to sweat boxes
• Cycle repeated 11 to 25 times

147. Conditioning
• Purpose
– Allow full development of
aroma and flavor
• Methods
– Packed in bundles of 50 beans
– Wrapped with waxed paper
– Stored in closed boxes
– At least three months

148. Final product
Poor quality
Excellent quality
• Final product
– 1 kg cured beans
– 3.5-4.5 kg picked
beans.

149. • Description:
• Fleshy elongated, straight capsules.
• Greenish yellow at maturity
– 10 - 25 cm long
– 8 - 15 mm wide
– Very small black seed

150. Active constituents:
• 1- The main constituent is glucovanillin and
glucovanillic acid which up on curing “slow
careful drying in the shade” converts into
vanillin, glucose and glucovanillin alcohol.
• 2- Catechin.

151. Uses
• Flavorings
–Widely used flavoring agent.
–Major component
• Vanillin (oleoresin) at 1.5 to 3.5%.
• About 150 other flavor components.

152. Cratagus ‫األدوية‬ ‫زعرور‬
Hawthorn berry
• Origin:
• The dried ripe fruits of
Cratagus lavigata,
Family:Rosaceae

153. • Active constituents:
• 1- Procyanidins “leucoanthocyanidins”.
• 2- Flavonoids i.e. Hyperoside.
• 3- Amines (some with cardiotonic action).
• 4- Catechins and Epicatechins.

154. • Actions and Uses:
• in treatment of:
- cardiac insufficiency,
- angina pectoris,
- nervous heart complications,
- arteriosclerosis
- and hypotension.

155. Contraindications:
Fruit –Drug Interaction
• Anti-arrhythmics ; the fruit action is similar to class III anti-
arrhythmics
• Anti-hypertensive nitrates; increased risk of hypotension
• Cardiac glycosides; increased risk of cardiac toxicity.