Page 6 - Pharmd general phytochemistry I-Final2024_LEUCTERS

Combination of Volatile Oils in the plants:

� Volatile oils may combine with a sugar part to form a glycoside.
� Volatile oils may combine with:
Gums ……. Oleo-gums
Resins ……. Oleo-resins
Both ……. Oleo-gum resins

Why do plants synthesize V.O.?

Several ecological theories state that plants synthesize V.O. to use them
for:

• Attraction of insects.
• Defense agents.
• Solvents for wound-healing resins.
• A way of eliminating certain abnormal metabolic products

(Detoxification products).

Medicinal, pharmaceutical and commercial uses of V.O:

� Therapeutic uses (Aromatherapy): External application and internal
application.

� Perfume industries, Cosmetics and Soap manufacture.
� Spices and Condiments with preservative action.
� Flavoring agents for pharmaceutical industries (Medication for infants),

food and tobacco.

Therapeutic uses of V.O:

A- External application:
� Because of the lipoid solubility of V.O., they are easily resorbed
through the skin and mucosa:

(1) Hyperaemic effect:
- V.O. cause a better local blood circulation on the applied area and may
influence the inner organs.

� Depending on the degree of skin-irritation:
a) Rubefacients cause only an increased blood circulation.

b) Vesicants cause stronger skin irritation and may even cause blisters

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