Classification of Drugs from Natural Origin
The crude drugs obtain from different natural sources are
used in treatment of wide spectrum of diseases.
It is necessary to arrange them in scientific and systematic
manner.
For pharmacogenetic study crude drugs can be arranged in one
of the following class.
1. Alphabetical classification
2. Taxonomical classification
3. Morphological classification
4. Pharmacological classification
5. Chemical classification
6. Chemo taxonomical classification
1. Alphabetical
classification:-
The Latin name or English name of drug are considered for
this purpose of classification.
This classification is adopted by the following books.
1. British
Pharmacopoeia (English)
2. British
pharmaceutical codex (English)
3. United States
Pharmacopoeia (English)
4. Pharmacopoeia Internationalism (Latin)
5. Indian
Pharmacopoeia (English)
6. British herbal Pharmacopoeia (English)
• This type of classification does not help in
distinguishing the drugs from plant, Animal or mineral Source and also does not
indicate.
• They are organized or an organize.
2. Taxonomical
classification:-
• It is the type of biological classification and restricted
mainly to crude drugs from plant source.
• It indicates the phylum, class, subclass, order, family,
and species of the crude drugs.
• Classified according to the plants and animals from which
they are obtain.
Example: –
Phylum
Spermataphyta
Division Angiosperms
Class
Dicotyledons
Odour
Rosales
Family
Lequminosac
Sub Family
Papilonaceas
3. Morphological
classification:-
• Grouped according to part of plant or animal represent
into organized and unorganized drug.
Example:-
Part of Plant Drugs
Seeds
Nutmeg, Linseed, Colchicum,
Nux-vomica
Barks
Arjuna, Cinchona, Kurchi, Cinnamon
Leaves
Coca, Digitalis, Senna, Vasaka,
Flowers
Clove, Rose, Saffron, Santonica
Gums
Acacia, Tragacanth, Guar, Ghatti
Extracts
Catechu, Agar, Gelatine
4. Pharmacological
classification:-
• Grouped according to their chief constituents or their
therapeutic uses.
Example:
Pharmacological Example
Action
Anti-cancer Vinca, Podophyllum, Taxus.
Anti-amoebic
Kurchi, ipecacuanha.
Bitters Gentian, cinchona,
nux-vomica
Carminatives
Clove, Coriander, Caraway
Cardiotonics Digitalis, Squill,
Strophanthus
Purgatives Senna, rhubarb, aloe
5. Chemical
classification: –
• The chemical natural of their most important constituents.
Type of Chemical Examples
Alkaloids Aconite, Tea, Vinca,
Opium
Glycosides Senna, Digitalis, Aloe
Lipids Castor oil,
Peppermint, Clove
Tannins Kino, Catechu,
galls.
Vitamins Yeast, Cod-liver
oil, Shark-liver oil.
6. Chemotaxonomical classification:-
• Established a relationship between position of plant and
chemical fact characters are flavonoids and alkaloids.
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