Page 111 - PG 504-theoretical notes-phyto-1-2024-2025..

Clinical pharmacy PharmD program Third level Phytochemistry-1 (PG-504)

N.B.: Gum tragacanth is unusual gum among the natural gum due to:

1) Its structure is complex and with methoxy-group.

2) It contains L-fucose.

3) It is the only gum having D-galacturonic acid.

3) Guar gum

It is the gum obtained from the ground endosperms of the Indian plant

Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Guar bean) (F. Fabaceae = Leguminasae), and has

recently received some attention as a possible oral hypoglycaemic drug.

The main constituent is galactomannan which forms viscous gel with H 2O. It also

contains fatty acid, free and as esters.

Chemical composition:

Mainly: Galactomannan which readily forms a viscous gel with water.

 Also, fatty acids, both free and as esters.

Pharmacological action:

1) It lowers cholesterol level, possible by binding bile salt in intestine.

2) Oral hypoglycaemic drug: It may delay the absorption of sugars and

oligosaccharides from the intestine.

III- Pectin

The name pectin is connected with the jellying properties of fruit juice. The

Greek words: (Pectis = jelly) and (Pektos =congealed).

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