Page 122 - Pharmacognosy 02-06203

Cough sedative for dry cough (short duration of action).

B. Benzyl isoquinoline alkaloids:
Papaverine:
Non addictive. Act as Smooth muscle relaxant and Cerebral and peripheral
vasodilators

Note:
All alkaloids are present in the form of salts, with the rare meconic or sulphuric
acid.
A note on terminology:
Opiate refers to opium derivatives while an opioid means an opium-like
substance including endogenous pain relieving transmitters and synthetic drugs
that mimics the action of opiate.
Test for identity
Test for meconic acid:
To 1.0 g of the powdered drug add 5 ml of water, shake for 5 min and filter. To the
filtrate add 0.25 ml of ferric chloride solution .A red colour develops which does
not disappear on the addition of 0.5 ml of dilute hydrochloric acid .
Test for Morphine:
Evaporate 1 ml of the filterate to dryness, add to the residue one drop of
formaldehyde, 2 drops H2SO4, a crimson red color is produced.
Other tests:
Chromatographic as TLC, HPLC.
Microcrystal test.

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