Page 137 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303 (1)

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

Constituents
Ergot contains 6 isomeric pairs of crystalline alkaloids derived from lysergic acid. One of
them is water soluble and the other five are water insoluble:
1- Water soluble alkaloids: ergometrine (-) and ergometrinine (+).
2- Water insoluble alkaloids:
- Ergotamine (-) and ergotaminine (+).
- Ergosine (-) and ergosinine (+).
- Ergocristine (-) and ergocristinine (+).
- Ergocryptine (-) and ergocryptinine (+).
- Ergocornine (-) and ergocorninine (+).
3- Tyrosine, histamine, coloring matters and fixed oil (ergosterol).

Stability
Ergot alkaloids are unstable, they darken on exposure to air and light and deteriorated in
the presence of moisture and at a raised temperature. It should be stored in amber- glass bottle, in
cooling and dry places.

Chemical test
Test for ergotoxine
Powder Ergot (0.1 g) + 5 mL Na2CO3 (5%) shake add chloroform shake
Chloroform layer + p- dimethyl amino benzaldehyde (freshly prepared) + FeCl3 in H2SO4, shake
and leave for 3 min, A blue color is produced.

Uses
1- Ergometrine stimulates plain muscle especially of uterus and used to excite and increase uterine
contractions and to control uterine hemorrhage in childbirth. (Postpartum bleeding).
2- Ergotamine group is used in treating migraine.
3- Ergotoxine group has antihypertensive action.
4- Ergosterol is used in synthesis of vit. D.

Toxicity
When ergot sclerotia are eaten by animals (mixed with grass) or humans (as bread
contaminant) a disease known as ergotism is developed.
1- In humans: the symptoms appear as convulsions and gangrene of hands and feet.
2- In cattle: develop a gangrene of ears, tails and hoofs, pregnant cows also become aborted and
may die.

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