Page 45 - Medicinal Plants_PharmD general

DUGS ACTING ON CARDIO-VASCULAR SYSTEM
Cardiotonics: digitalis, squill, strophanthus
Cardiac depressants: cinchona
Vasoconstrictors: ergot, ephedra
Antihypertensives: rauwolfia

DRUGS ACTING ON AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
Adrenergics: Ephedra
Cholinergics: Pilocarpus
Anticholinergics: Stramonium, Belladonna

DRUGS ACTING ON CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CNS stimulants: Coffee
CNS depressants: Belladonna, Hyoscyamus
Analeptics: Nux vomica, Lobelia
Hallucinogenics: Cannabis
Central analgesics: Opium

Pharmacological classification Advantages
 Even if the chemical constituents of crude drugs are unknown, they
can be classified properly on the basics of therapeutic uses.

Pharmacological classification Disadvantages
 Regardless of their morphology, taxonomical status or chemical
nature, drugs are grouped together provided that they exhibit similar
actions/uses. e.g. Senna, Castor oil, Jalap and Colocynth are grouped
together as purgatives because of their common pharmacological
action.

-45-