Page 340 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303

Pharmacognosy-2 (PG303) Level 2 Clinical Pharmacy-Pharm D

Olibanum, in the form of a decoction; is used as expectorant and cough
sedative. It is also used in the manufacture of incense, and as an ingredient in
plasters and fumigating pastilles.

Mastic

Syn.: Mastich, Mastiche

Mastic is the oleo-gum-resin obtained by incision from the trunk and thick
branches of Pistacia lenticus (Fam. Anacardiaceae). The best commercial variety
is obtained from Pistacia lenticus var. Chia cultivated exclusively in the Greek
island of Chios for the production of mastic. The shrub is native to the Mediterranean
basin, particularly in Greece and Cyprus.

Preparation
The oleo-gum-resin occurs in a circle of schizogenous secretion ducts in the
phloem of the bark. It exudes as a result of natural wounds (natural fissures and
insect puncturing) or by induced incisions all over the main trunk and thick branches.
This method of preparation is known as normal collection of mastic.

Recently, mastic is prepared by injecting the plant with phytohormones to
obtain mastic in a less viscous form. This method of preparation is known as liquid
collection of mastic.

Description
Mastic occurs in small ovoid, pear-shaped or nearly globular tears or masses
of agglutinated tears. It is colorless, quite clear and bright when fresh, becoming pale
yellow and dusty on keeping, brittle, glassy and conchoidal. The drug has agreeable
and aromatic odor and slightly agreeable and characteristic taste; and softens to a
plastic mass on chewing. It produces a whitish emulsion upon trituration with water.

Constituents
Mainly resin acids (42.5%), including α- and β-masticonic acids (38%,
amorphous, soluble in alcohol), α- and β-masticinic acids (4%) and masticolic acids
(0.5%, crystalline). Resenes (50%) include α-masticoresene (30%, soluble in
alcohol) and β-masticoresene (20%, insoluble in alcohol). Volatile oil (2.8%)
consisting mainly of α-pinene (66.5%), myrecene (8.34%), β-pinene (3.29%),
linalool (2.84%), trans-caryophyllene (2.04%), limonene (1.26%), methyl-O-cresol
(1.17%), verbenone (0.88%), α-terpineol (0.28%). Mastic also contains triterpenes,
α-tocopherol (vitamin E) and polyphenols.

282