Write the different sources of drug with suitable examples. (Pharmaceutics)
Answers
Sources of Drugs
1. Primitive Medicine; Folklore, witchcraft, dreams, trances etc. Also from observing the reaction of some animals to particular herbs. Through primitive medicine quinine was discovered from Africa; used for malaria and limejuice for Ascorbic acid/Vitamin C and this is used for scurvy and gum bleeding.
2. Plants; Roots, bark, sap, leaves, flowers, seeds were sources for drugs e.g. Reserpine from Rauwolfia Vomitora, Digitalis from foxglove, opium from the poppy plant.
3. Animal sources; gave us hormones for replacement in times of deficiencies e.g. Insulin from the pancreases of pigs and cattle, Liver extracts for anemia etc
4. Minerals; including acids, bases and salts like potassium chloride
Natural; OCCURRING SUBSTANCES like proteins
5. Happy Chance; Discovery is by chance not by any premeditated effort.
6. Synthesis of Substances; from natural products in the laboratory.
Currently most drugs are synthetics produced in the laboratories with few from natural extractions.