Page 44 - Pharmacognosy 02-06203

Preparations: Ergot alkaloids E. P. 1984:

Ergometrine maleate: Tablet and Injection.

Ergotamine tartarate: Tablet and Injection.

N. B. Ergotamine is now formulated with other ingredients as suppository.

Algae

International agencies like FAO have announced that the quality of food is becoming
fundamental for health maintaining and lifestyle improvements, as evidenced by the global
obesity phenomenon. Recently, macroalgae and microalgae have been used as a novel food
with potential nutritional benefits in industry and medicine for various purposes.
Furthermore, they have shown to provide a rich source of natural bioactive compounds with
antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic and
antineoplasteic properties. Thus, there is a growing interest in the area of research on the
positive effect of algae on human health. The food supplements of the first generation mainly
contain substances of primary metabolites, like carbohydrates, vitamins, and proteins,
whereas nutraceuticals, are secondary products, like flavonoids, terpenes, polyphenols,
organic acids, pigments, etc., usually present in raw plant materials or extracts. Algae, are a
rich source of both types of substances, as evidenced by the reported chemical analyses. (the
attractive term “superfood” was suggested).

What is algae?

 Algae are chlorophyll-bearing, simple, thalloid, autotrophic and largely aquatic (in all
water types).

 Reproduces rapidly on hot water
 They occur in a variety of other habitats: moist stones, soils and wood. Some of them also

occur in association with fungi (lichen) and animals (e.g., on sloth bear).

42