Page 361 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303 (1)

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

Constituents yellow crystalline anthraquinone glycosides, Opium is a complex mixture of an active alkaloid
barbaloin, resin, aloe-emodin (hydrolytic fraction (10-20%), together with sugars, protein,
decomposition product of barbaloin). lipids and other gummy substances. The most
important are 5 major alkaloids:
• Phenanthrane group:
morphine, codeine and thebaine.
• Isoquinoline group:
• papaverine and noscapine (narcotine).
Uses • Purgative (used in constipation as it improves the Opium is used as a source of
digestion and does not lose its activity by • morphine (analgesic)
repetition). • codeine (cough sedative)
• treatment of burns, skin irritations and has emollient • papaverine (antispasmodic for smooth muscle).
effects
Tests for Identity 0.5 g powder + 50 ml water → boil for 2-3 min → cool +
kieselguhr → shake and filter
→ clear filtrate, the clear filtrate responds to the following tests for
identification: Ferric Chloride Test:
(Meconic acid test):
1-Borax test for anthranols:
0.2 g borax + 5 mL filtrate → Dissolve by heating → transfer 5-10 5% Aqueous solution of FeCl3 to an alcoholic
drops of this solution to a test tube nearly filled with water extract of opium,
green fluorescence Is produced due to the formation of a brownish purple color Indicates the possible
aloe-emodin anthranol liberated from barbaloin by presence of opium.
hydrolysis with borax

2- Test for free anthraquinones:
10 mL filtrate + 20 mL ether → shake 10 mL of ether layer with 10
mL of diluted Soln
of NH4OH
A rose red color is produced in ammoniacal layer.
3- Test for barbaloin (Bromine water test):
1 mL filtrate + 1 mL bromine T.S
pale yellow ppt. is formed

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