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PHAR1101-1 Cheat Sheet (DRAFT) by

This is a draft cheat sheet. It is a work in progress and is not finished yet.

Defini­tions

Bioactive
A substance that when extracted from a plant or biological sources, produces a physio­logical response after it enters the body of another species
Biopro­spe­cting
An intent­ional program of scientific research involving systematic collection of plant-­derived matter followed by evaluation of its pharma­col­ogical properties using standa­rdised tests
Screening
Systematic use of standa­rdised bioassay method to evaluate a large number of compounds or plants extract for a specific pharma­col­ogical action
Bioassay
A scientific method that provides inform­ation on the concen­tra­tions or potency of a substances by assessing its effects individual enzymes living cells or animal tissues
Pharma­cognosy
the branch of scientific knowledge that is concerned with the study of plant-­derived medicines

Examples of Factors effecting Biopro­spe­cting

Cultural
Legal issues arise when Drug companies try to get IP rights for drugs that have been used in a tradit­ional fashion for native peoples.
Enviro­mental
Cinchona:
The high demand for the tree bark caused over harves­ting. This led to the slow extinction of the natural forests in south america. after a shortage of quinine during ww2, a synthetic version was created
Toxico­logical

Artemi­sinins

The Drug discovered by Youyou Tu was named Artemi­sinin. It contains an endope­roxide Bridge (C-O-O-C), this is similar to hydrogen peroxide. this gives it anti-p­ara­sitic proper­ties. the drug is extracted from a strain of Artemisia. The drug is highly effective, but is more effective when partnered with other remedies.
 

Steps of Discovery Progress

Plant Selection
Extraction Preper­ation
Bioassay Screening
Compound Identi­fic­ation
Animal Testing
Human Testing
Regulatory Approval
Marketing

Types of Secondary Metabolics

Pest Deterrents
Plants produce these chemicals to ward away predators. They leave a fowl taste, and may negatively impact, or kill the predator
Growth Regulator
These chemicals regulate the growth of leaves, roots, cells etc. this allows plants to respond quickly to enviro­nmental change
Natural Sunblock
Many plants produce a chemical which can absorb high levels of UV radiation
Cellular Commun­ication
Plant cells can emitt chemicals to commun­icate with neighb­ouring cells. this can tell the cell to: grow, freeze, die etc
A secondary metabolic is a chemical produced by a plant which is not directly linked to the primary functions of the plant.

What is Malaria

 
Malaria is caused when a anopheline mosquito injects Plasmodium sporoz­oites into a victim. The bacteria travels through the bloods­tream to the liver. In the liver the parasite multiplies for 7-10 days. when the infected liver ruptures it releases the parasite into the blood stream. they feed on important cell compon­ents. the bacteria is also called mrozoites.
  

Plant Medicines - Origins

Morphine (1804)
From: Dried Poppy Resin
By: Friedrich W. Sertürner
Use: Modera­te-­Severe pain
Quinine
(1820)
From: Cinchona Bark
By: Pellet­ier­+Ca­ventou
Use: Malarial fevers
Colchicine
(1820)
From: Autumn Crocus
By: Pellet­ier­+Ca­ventou
Use: Gout
Caffeine
(1821)
From: Various Sources
Friedrich F. Runge
Use: Drowsiness
Atropine
(1831)
From: Bellaonna
By: Mein
Use: Dilation of the pupil
Salicylic Acid
(1838)
From: Weeping Willow
By: Rafaelle Piria, Felix Hoffman
Use: Aspirin
Cocaine
(1860)
From: Coca Leaves
By: Albert Neimann
Use: N/A (too addictive)
Ephedrine
(1887)
From: Ma Huang
By: Nagai Nagayoshi
Use: Asthma
L-DOPA
(1914)
From: Broad Bean
By: Marcus Guggunheim
Use: Parkin­son's
Cardiac Glycosides
Digoxin
(1930)
From: Foxglove
By: Sydney Smith
Use: Congestive Heart Failure
Warfarin
(1948)
From: Mouldy Sweet Clover
By: Karl Link
Use: Antico­agulant
Paclitaxel
(1967)
From: Pacific Yew
By: US Cancer Institute
Use: Anticancer

Youyou Tu

Youyou Tu led a group of resear­chers during Project 523. they isolated consti­tuents from over 2000 herbal remedies and tested in on mice. they found that an extract from the qianghao plant proved effective. However, they struggled to replicate the tests. however, they found an ancient text which recomm­ended that qinghao must be steeped in room temper­ature, and not hot water, to cure fevers. Youyou Tu developed a cold extraction method using water, alcohol and ethyl.