Pharmacognosy-I

Lecture (4)

Continue: Medicinal Leaves

Dr. Ahmed Mustafa

 4) Coca leaf
Origin :The dried leaves of Erythroxylum coca, Fam.
Erythroxylaceae.
Constituents

1- Alkaloids: cocaine, cinnamylcocaine and

β- truxilline.

2- Cocatannic acid.

Uses:
1. Local anaesthesia.

2. Stimulant and tonic.

Coca capsules are great for
energy, altitude illness, high
blood pressure, tooth ache,
intestinal problems, etc. 
 5) Tea Leaves
Name Origin Active Uses
constituents
Tea The prepared leaves 1) Alkaloids 1- CNS stimulant.
and leaf buds of (Caffeine,
Thea sinensis Theobromine 2- Mild diuretic.
Fam. Theaceae. and Theophylline).
3- As a drink.

2) Tannins.
N.B.) Large dose
of tea cause
3) Young leaves irritation of
have volatile oil. stomach, peptic
ulcer, constipation,
. and nervous
Irritability.
• The fresh Tea leaves contain an oxidase enzyme
which partly converts the phlobatannin into
phlobaphene (so the green colour of the leaves
change to red).

• This oxidase enzyme may be destroyed by

steaming for 30 seconds to prepare the green tea.
Main types of tea:
1. Black tea : is withered, fully oxidized (i.e. rolled) and dried.
Black tea yields amber-colored (or black).

2. Green tea : skips the oxidizing step. It is simply withered and

then dried. It has a more delicate taste and is pale green
color.
 6) Jaborandi Leaves
Name Origin Active Uses
constituents
Jaborandi Dried leaflets of 1. Alkaloids : 1. Miotic (used
Pilocarpus Pilocarpine. in treatment
jaborandi , Fam. of glaucoma).
Rutaceae 2. Volatile oil:
( limonene). 2. Pilocarpine is
a sialagogue,
diaphoretic,
Note: parasympath-
Solanaceous omimitic
leaves are drug.
parasympath
-olytic.
 Effects : diaphoresis (profuse perspiration), salivation
myosis, nausea, Hair fall, Sleeplessness and Diarrhoea.
 7) Boldo Leaves
Name Origin A.C. Uses

Boldo the dried leaves of • Boldine 1- Aromatic stimulant

Peumus boldus, (Stimulates digestion)

Alkaloid.
Fam. Monimiaceae. .
2- Mild diuretic.
3- Hepatic stimulant.
4- Anti-inflammatory.
 III) Leaves containing Volatile oils
1) Buchu Leaves
Name Origin Active Uses
constituents
Buchu It is the dried 1) Volatile oil: 1- Urinary
leaves of ( 30% diosphenol) tract
Barosma disinfectant.
betulina, Fam.
Rutaceae. 2- For
2) A flavone
glycoside inflammatory
(diosmin). conditions of
urinary tract.

3- Diuretic,
diaphoretic.
 2) Eucalyptus Leaves
Name Origin Active Uses
constituents

Eucalyptus Dried leaves 1- Volatile oil: 1- For asthma.

of Eucalyptus (50% cineole).
globulus 2- Astringent.
Fam. 2- Tannins.
Myrtaceae. 3- Antiseptic
3- Flavonoids. for respiratory
tract infection.
 3) Guava leaves
Name Origin Active Uses
constituents

Guajava Dried leaves 1- Volatile oil: 1. in cough

of Psdium (cineol, mixtures
guajava L. limonene, (Antiseptic for
Fam: pinene … ). respiratory tract).
Myrtaceae. 2-Tannins. 2. Antidiarrheal (kill
3- Flavonoids: diarrhea bacteria
(Quercetin, and and astringent).
its glycosides) .
 IV) Leaves containing Tannins
1) WITCH - HAZEL Leaf

Origin : obtained from Hamamelis virginiana,

Family, Hamamelidaceae.

Constituents :
8 to 12% Tannins : gallitannins (hamamelitannin),
ellagitannins and free gallic acid.
Uses :
Astringent and haemostatic due to presence of tannins.

Note) Astringent : a substance that causes the contraction of

body tissues, typically used to protect the skin and to reduce
bleeding from minor abrasions.
 2) Henna (Hina) Leaf

Origin: dried leaves of Lawsonia inermis =

Lawsonia alba), fam. Lythraceae.

Constituents :
1.Lawsone (2-hydroxynapthoquinone) →a
red-orange dye.
2.Tannic acid and gallic acid.
3.Mucilage.
4.Phenolic glycosides.
Uses:
1.Skin and hair colorant or dye. (Lawsone: a red-orange dye,
which has an affinity for bonding with protein, so used to dye
skin, hair, fingernails, leather, silk and wool).
2.Wound Healing Agent (Astringent).
3.Antibacterial, Anti-Fungal.
4.Anti-Inflammatory and Fever Reducer.

Note:
The leaves of henna when crushed do not stain the skin.
They will stain only after the release of lawsone molecules
present in the leaves, after smashing them with acidic liquid.
 HennaPreparation
powder of Henna Paste
+
Lemon juice (acidic) to make
a paste
+
Cover the paste and leave for
12 hours (=HENNA PASTE)

 You can add the following

to
henna paste:
1.Tea or Lavender oil for
darker stains.
2.Sugar or dextrose to make
it smoother.
Thank you