Pharmacognsoy of Antirheumatic Drugs

  • The pharmacological agents which are used in treatment of rheumatism are called as Antirheumatic drugs.
    • e.g.
                     Guggul
                    Cholchicum.
                     Nirgundi.




Guggul

  • Synonyms: Indian Bdelium, Scented Bdelium, Guggul Gum, Guggulu.
  • Biological Source: Guggul consists of oleo-gum-resin obtained by making incisions to the bark of plant known as "Commiphora weightti " belonging to the family "Burseraceae".
  • Geographical Distribution: Its cultivated majorly in countries like India, pakistan, Baluchistan and arabian countries.
  • Organoleptic Characters:
ColorBrown to pale yellow to dull green.
OdorAromatic, balsmic.
TasteCharacteristic Bitter
Size0.5 to 1 cm diameter
Shaperounded or irregular tears.



  • Chemical Constituents:
    • Guggul is a oleo-gum-resin.
    • The chief active constituents of the volatile oil portion are,
      • Myrcene
      • Dimyrcene.
      • Polymyrcene.
      • Caryophylline.
    • The chief active constituents from resin portion are,
      • Guggulosterone Z
      • Guggulosterol I, II and III.
  • Uses:
  1. As Antirheumatic in treatment of rheumatism.
  2. As Anti-inflammatory.
  3. As Hypolipidaemic and hypocholesteremic.

Chemical Tests:

  1. To ethyl acetate extract of drug add acetic anhydride, boil, cool and add 2 ml of H2So4, green color develops at the junction of two liquids due to presence of steroids.

Indian Cholchicum.

  • Synonyms: Cholchicum seeds.
  • Biological Source: Indian CHolchicum consists of dried seeds of the plant known as “Cholchicum luteum” belonging to the family “Lilliaceae”.
  • B.P. variety is "Cholchicum automnale"
  • Geographical Distribution: IWestern Himalaya, Kashmir and Chamba.
  • Organoleptic Characters:
.
ColorDark reddish brown pitted and sturdy
OdorNone
TasteBitter and acrid
Size2-3 mm in diameter.
Shapeglobular


  • Chemical Constituents:
    • Cholchicum contains protoalkaloids as active chemical constituents.
    • Chief active constituents of the drug are,
      • Cholchicine
      • Demecholcine.
    • Cholchicoresin, Starch, proteins and fats are inert constituents of the drug.
  • Uses:
  1. As Anti-rheumatic in treatment of rheumatism.
  2. As Anti-inflammatory in treatment of Gout.
  3. Used to induce polyploidy in horticulture and medicinal plantation.
  4. Anticancer (Highly toxic).

  • Chemical Test:
  • With 70% Sulphuric acid it produces yellow color due to presence of Cholchicine.

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