In this section I`ll be discussing about Laxative category of crude drugs as per D.pharm syllabus(Biological Source, chemical Constituents, Therapeutic Efficacy) according to education regulation 2020. additionals* morphology, chemical test

1. STUDY OF CRUDE DRUGS
LAXATIVES
ANUBHAV GUPTA
B. PHARM
Institute of Pharmacy
VBS Purvanchal University, Jaunpur
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2. • Laxatives are medicines that relieves form constipation or empty the bowel
by loosening the fecal matter.
• For example: Psyllium (Metamucil), Methylcellulose (Citrucel).
• Crude drugs having laxative actions are:
Aloe,
Castor oil,
Ispaghula,
Senna
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3. ALOE
• Biological Source: Dried juice
collected by incision, from leaves
of Aloe perryi, Aloe vera or Aloe
barbadensis and Aloe ferox.,
• Family: Liliaceae.
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4. ALOE
Morphology:
Colour: Yellowish-green to Green
Odor: Pleasant
Taste: Bitter
Chemical Test:
• Borax Test for aloe-emodin
• Bromine Test and Nitric acid Test.
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5. ALOE
Chemical Constituents:
• Main chemical constituents are
Aloins, Barbaloin, β-barboloin
and Isobarbaloin.
• Also have Resin, Emodin and
Aloe-emodin.
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6. ALOE
Therapeutic Efficacy:
• Used as laxative, purgatives, in
higher doses may act as
abortifacient.
• The plant is emmenagogue,
emollient, stimulant, stomachic,
• Its gel have antibacterial activity.
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7. CASTOR OIL
• Synonyms: Oleum ricini, ricinus
oil, oil of palma Christi.
• Biological Source: Fixed oil
obtained by cold expression of the
seeds of Ricinus communis
• Family: Euphorbiaceae.
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8. CASTOR OIL
Morphology:
Colour: Colourless or Slightly Yellow
Odor Slight odour
Taste: Acrid
Identification Test:
• 5 ml Light Petroleum + 10 ml Castor Oil
=> Clear Solution at 15 C.
• 15 ml Light Petroleum + 10 ml Castor Oil
=> Turbid Solution at 15 C.
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9. CASTOR OIL
Chemical Constituents:
• Ricinoleic acid, Isoricinoleic
• Stearic acid ,and Dihydroxy Stearic
acids.
• Also have Vitamin F (-linolic acid).
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10. CASTOR OIL
Therapeutic Efficacy:
• Laxative, mild purgative, fungistatic.
• Used as an ointment base, as plasticizer, wetting agents, as a lubricating
agent.
• Ricinoleic acid is used in contraceptive creams and jellies.
• As an emollient in the preparation of lipsticks.
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11. ISPAGHULA
• Synonyms: Ispaghula, Ispagol,
Ishabgula, Spongel seeds.
• Biological Source: Ispaghula
consists of dried seeds of Plantago
ovata.
• Family: Plantaginaece.
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12. ISPAGHULA
Morphology:
Colour: Pinkish-grey to Brown
Odor: No odour
Taste: Mucilaginous
Chemical Test:
1. Ispaghula seeds when treated with ruthenium red give red colour due to the presence of
mucilage.
2. Add water to few seeds on a slide, mucilage comes out and forms zone surrounding the
seeds.
3. Swelling factor of ispaghula seeds is 10–13.
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13. ISPAGHULA
Chemical Constituents:
• 10% Mucilage consists of two complex polysaccharides, one is soluble in
cold water and other in hot water.
• They are Pentosan and Aldobionic acid.
• Protein and fixed oil are also present
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14. ISPAGHULA
Therapeutic Efficacy:
• Demulcent and Bulk laxative in chronic constipation, dysentery, chronic
diarrhoea.
• In cases of duodenal ulcers and piles.
• As a soothing agent.
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15. SENNA
• Synonyms: Alexandrian senna,
Tinnevelly senna, Folia senna.
• Biological Source: Dried leaflets
of Cassia acutifolia known as
Alexandrian senna and of C.
angustifolia, which is known as
Tinnevelly senna.
• Family: Leguminosae.
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16. SENNA
Morphology:
Colour: Light-green to Greyish Green
Odor: Faint
Taste: Bitter-mucilaginous
Chemical Test:
Borntrager test for anthraquinones.
• Senna leaf + Water => Boil & Filter,
• Filtrate + Bezene/Chloroform => Shake => Organic layer is separated.
• Organic layer + Ammonia => Ammonical layer acquire Pink Colour
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17. SENNA
Chemical Constituents:
• Sennosides A and B (2.5%).
• Sennosides C and D.
• Also has Palmidin A, Rhein, anthrone and
aloe-emodin.
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18. SENNA
Therapeutic Efficacy:
• Laxative, prescribed along with carminatives.
• Senna is stimulant cathartic.
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