Page 166 - phytochemistry I - PharmD Clinical

Uses of Glycyrrhizin from liquorice:

1. A valuable flavouring and sweetening agent.
2. Demulcent, expectorant and antispasmodic action.
3. Effective in the treatment of gastric ulcer.
4. A cortisone -like action in rheumatic arthritis and other inflammatory

diseases.
• The disodium salt of carbenoxolone, which is the succinic acid
ester of glycyrrhitinic acid, is extensively used in current
medicine in gastric ulcer treatment.

Identification and quantitative determination of Saponins:

1. The foam test
It is a very simple test but is sometimes confusing.

2. The haemolysis test
This is better done by placing the sliced drug in blood gelatin. The
appearance of a clear zone around the drug is an indication of a positive
haemolysis test, and hence confirms the presence of saponin

• Quantitative determination of saponins can be performed
through the application of the haemolysis test under standard
conditions.

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