i) Cinchona: Chemical constituents: Cinchona contains about 25 alkaloids in the range of 5 to 10%.. Out of 25 alkaloids , only four are therapeutically important and are named as quinine, quinidine, cinchonine and cinchinidine. Also contain cinchofulvic, cinchotannic acid and quinic acid. It also contains red colouring matter known as cinchona red. Tannins, calcium oxalate and starch are also present. In addition to the alkaloids cinchona bark also contains bitter glycosides quinoin,
Uses: Cinchona bark is used as- 1) Antimalarial 2)Antipyretic 3) Bitter tonic 4)Stomachic 5) Cinchonidine is used in rheumatism and neuralgia. 6) Quinidine is employed as cardiac depressant.
ii) Sandalwood oil:
Chemical constituents: The main product of sandal wood is the volatile oil (2.5%) called
sandal wood oil. All the wood elements of this drug contain volatile oil. Sandal wood oil
contains about 95% of two isomeric sesquiterpene alcohols, α- santalol and β – santalol. The oil
also contains an aldehyde santalal, santene, santenone, teresantol.
Uses: The oil is used for symptomatic treatment of dysuria and in diminishing the frequency of
micturition marked in the tuberculosis of the bladder. The oil is mainly used as a perfume in
cosmetic and incense sticks.
iii)Ephedra:
Chemical constituents: Contains about 1-1.5% Phenyl ethyl amine type of alkaloidEphedrine( 30-90%). Other alkaloids are pseudo ephedrine, L- methyl ephedrine, Dimethyl
ephedrine, Norephedrine. It also contain glucaric acid & leucodelphidine.
Uses: Ephedrine is Sympathomimetic drug used as bronchodilator, CNS Stimulant,due to
Vasoconstriction shows rise in B.P., diuretic, anti-inflammatory activity due to presence of
oxazolidone.