Pharmacognosy with the Basics of Plant Biochemistry - Kovalyov V. M. 2004

General Section
Organic compounds of plants. The concept of active, concomitant, and ballast substances

In the 19th century, at the dawn of its existence as an independent science, pharmacognosy focused on studying raw Materials and medicines of various origins — mineral, plant, and animal. Later, these were joined by Biosynthesis products — semi-synthetic compounds, tissue culture substances, and those of microbiological origin, among others.

Today, we view pharmacognosy as a science that studies natural raw materials based on the chemo-biogenetic relationships among Organic compounds. Consequently, it employs a chemical Classification grounded in the presence of active (pharmacologically active) principles within medicinal plant or animal raw materials. This classification is quite conventional, as raw materials invariably contain multiple groups of BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES, and it is not always clear which specific one exerts the therapeutic effect.

Pharmacognosy currently studies medicinal plant materials (MPM) containing:

primary metabolites

Proteins (plant Enzymes, Lectins, etc.);

fats (Lipids and fat-like substances of PLANT AND ANIMAL origin);

CARBOHYDRATES (oligo- and Polysaccharides);

organic acids;

secondary metabolites

Steroids (cardiotonic Glycosides and saponins);

terpenoids (Iridoids, Diterpenes, triterpenes, triterpene saponins), etc.;

Phenolic Compounds (phenols, Xanthones, Coumarins, Chromones, Flavonoids, Lignans, anthracene derivatives, Tannins).

Class="center">Biogenetic relationships among plant metabolites

Raw materials containing Vitamins, Alkaloids, and Essential Oils are grouped into separate sections of pharmacognosy, even though The biosynthesis of vitamins, alkaloids, and essential oil components (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, Aromatic Compounds) sometimes follows different pathways.

Biogenetic relationships among the substances studied by pharmacognosy are illustrated in the diagram.

In addition to active principles, plants always contain so-called accompanying substances. In pharmacognosy, this term conventionally refers to products of Primary and secondary synthesis that influence the manifestation of the primary therapeutic effect (mineral salts, nitrogenous bases, polysaccharides, carboxylic acids, saponins, etc.). Accompanying substances can enhance the absorption of active compounds, thereby accelerating their assimilation, intensifying beneficial effects, or mitigating the adverse impacts of potent compounds. If accompanying substances are toxic, they must be removed. For example, castor bean seeds (Semina Ricini), apart from fatty oil, contain the toxic protein ricin, which is inactivated by heat Treatment.

Alongside active and accompanying substances, plants contain so-called ballast substances. In pharmacognosy, these include primary and secondary metabolites such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, resins, chlorophyll, Waxes, and Lignin. However, if these substances are utilized in medical or pharmaceutical practice, they are classified as active ingredients. A case in point is dietary fiber and tannins, which are frequently regarded as ballast. Cellulose is now widely used for prophylactic purposes as an enterosorbent. Tannins serve as ballast substances during The production of the drug flacumin from smoke tree leaves (Folia Cotini coggygriae). Tannin, which exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, can be additionally recovered from flacumin production waste.

The accumulation of new biochemical data regarding the composition, METABOLISM, and interaction of substances in plant, animal, and human organisms is driving a shift in Perspectives on concepts such as active, accompanying, and ballast substances. Over time, the classification of plant and animal raw materials evolves as well.