Medicinal plants and medical plant materials that contain anthracene derivatives

Anthracene derivatives are organic compounds containing the 9,10- anthracenedione nucleus of different oxidation levels, types of connection and condensation of monomer structures.

The oxidation level of the medium ring can be different- to anthranol, anthrone, oxanthrone and anthraquinone. Anthranols, anthrones and oxanthrone are easily oxydate even by oxygen in the air thus the most spreaded and studied are anthraquinone derivatives.

Classification Monomers – anthracene derivatives with one anthracene molecule. Dimers – compounds with two molecules of anthracene. Condensed – anthracene derivatives, in which two monomers linked between each other with 2 – mono and 1 – double bounds.

Мономерні сполуки відновленої форми Мономер окисленої форми

Похідні антрахінону 1,8-дигідроксиантрахінон 1,2-дигідроксиантрахінон

Dimers Sennosides A & B

Condensed Hypericin

Anthraquinones are yellow-brown pigments, most commonly occurring as O-glycosides or C-glycosides. Hydroxyl groups always occur at position 1 and 8, that is 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinones or emodines (chryzacines) and in position 1 and 2, that is 1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinones or alizarins

Identification reactions react doesn’t react Chrysophanol Emodin react Red colour Yellow colour

Anthraquinone derivatives have different actions. Derivatives of emodine have purgative action. This action appears in 8-12 hours after taking medicines. Alizarines have spasmolitic and nephrolitic action. Condenced derivatives have antibacterial action.

MP and MRM which contain emodines (chryzacines)

Frangulae Cortex – Alder buckthorn bark Frangula alnus- Alder Buckthorn, Alder Dogwood Rhamnaceae- Buckthorn family Constituents. Anthraquinone derivatives present mainly in the form of glycosides. The rhamnoside (frangulin) was isolated in This is now known to consist of two isomers- frangulosides A and B, frangula-emodin-8-O- glucoside. The fresh bark contains glucofrangulins. Tanins, peptide alcaloids (frangulanin, franganin)’ Uses.Decoction has laxative action. In pharmaceutical industry liquid extract, dry extract in tablets and “Rhamnil” are produced. Bark can be used only in 1 year after collection.

Possible admixtures of Alnus incana (Grey Alder), Alnus glutinosa (Black Alder) and of Rhamnus cathartica (Buckthorn)

RHAMNI CARTHARTICAE FRUCTUS – COMMON BUCKTHORN fruit RHAMNUS CATHARTICA – Common Buckthorn (s): ramsthorn, waythorn RHAMNACEAE ПЛОДИ БАР: 2-5 % anthraquinone glycosides: frangula-emodin, chrysophanol, glucofrangulins, frangulins, 3-4 % tannins, flavonoids, pectins, ascorbic acid. Laxative acting Decoction, laxative remedies and composition and herbal tea

Sennae Folia Sennae Fructus Cassia acutifolia- Alexandrian senna Cassia angustifolia- Tinnevelly senna or Indian senna Fabaceae Constituents. Leaves contain a family of hydroxyanthracene glycosides, the most plentiful of which are sennosides A and B. There are also small amounts of aloe-emodine and rhein 8- glucosides; mucilage; flavonoids and naphthalene precursors. Usses. Infusion is used as a laxative drug. To reduce the level of resinous substances the infusion should be filtrated. Medicines- laxative and antihaemorrhoidal mixes, “Senadexin”, “Cafiol”, “Senade”, “Regulax”.

Senna leaves and fruits

Rhei Radices Rheum palmaticum L. var. tanguticum- Rhubarb, Chinese Rhubarb Polygonaceae Constituents. 3,5-6% of anthraglycosides- rheum- emodine, chrysophanol, aloe- emodin, physcione, franguloemodin; 7-10% of tannins. Usses. Is used as a powder or composed powders, tablets (0.5g) and dry extract for treatment of constipation. In low doses ( g) powder has astringent effect.

Radices Rhei

Aloes Folia recens Aloe arborescens- Krantz Aloe Liliaceae Constituents. Aloe-emodin and its glycoside, chrysophanol, rheum- emodin; up to 20% of resinous substances, polysaccharides, amino acids, steroid compounds, enzymes. Sabur is a purgative drug. Small doses increase appetite, big- used in abortion. Juice is used in treatment of tuberculosis, gastrointestinal diseases, bronchial asthma. Externally- seborrheic dermatitis and different inflammatory diseases of skin. Liquid Aloe extract is biogenic stimulator in eye diseases. Clinical trials show the anti-cancer action of alcohol extract of Aloe. Also Aloe is widely used in cosmetic industry.

MP and MRM containing alizarines

Rubiae Rhizomata cum radicibus Rubia tinctorum- Common Madder,Rubia Rubiaceae Constituents. Anthraquinone derivatives (alizarins) - rubiadin- glycoside, rubiadin, rubierythrinic acid; flavonoids, iridoids. Uses. Medicines are used in treatment of cholelithiasis and nephrolithiasis and gout (podagra), because it dissolves and excretes phosphates, oxalates and urates. Dry extract is the main constituent of Cystenal and Marelin.

MRM and drugs from Rubia