Miscellaneous Glycosides

Mam Saiqa 11th October 2010

A) GENTAIN (BITTER ROOT / YELLOW GENTAIN )

B.O : Gentiana leutea Family: Gentianaceae Part used: Dried fermented rhizomes and roots Constituents: It contains bitter glycosides, alkaloids, yellow coloring matters, sugars, pectin and fixed oils. Gentiopicrin and Gentiamarin are the principal constituents (upto 2%) present in fresh roots. Upon hydrolysis they yield Gentiogenin(a lactone) and glucose. It also contains biphenolic acid ester of Gentiopicroside, Amarogentin (0.025-0.05%) which is 5000 times bitter than gentiopicroside. Yellow color of fermented root is due to xanthones and includes gentiamarin, Isogentisin and Gentioside. It also contains Gentisic acid and alkaloids Gentianin and Gentialutine which may be produced during the drug prepration process. Sugars which are present include trisaccharides; Gentianose and disaccharide; Gentiobiose and sucrose. Uses: It is mainly used as bitter tonic Structures:

Gentiopicroside

Gentiopicrin

Gentisin

Gentisic acid

B) QUASSIA (BITTER WOOD / BITTER ASH)

B.O :Picrasma excels, Quassia amara Family: Simaroubacaeae Part used: Dried stem wood Constituents: The drug contains terpenoid bitter principle Quassin accompanied by smaller amount of Isoquassin(picrasmin) and Neo-quassin. Quassin is a molecular complex of Iso-quassin and neo-quassin. Other compounds reported are 19-hydroxyquassin, Scopoletin and alkaloids. Uses: It is used as 1. As a bitter tonic 2. As insecticide 3. As an enema for expulsion of thread worms

Structures:

Quassin

Neo-quassin