Q.6 What are the sources of drugs? Give examples?
Answer:
Drugs
Any substance that absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal body function is known as a drug Sources of drugs:
Drugs are obtained from the following sources.
1. Synthetic Drugs
The drugs which do not occur naturally but are synthesized in laboratory. Pharmaceutical companies produce these drugs. e.g. Aspirin
2. Drugs from Plants and fungi
Many important medicines are obtained from plants and fungi. These medicines include
i. Antibiotics
The antibiotic penicillin comes from a fungus.
ii. Cardiotonics
The cardiotonic digitalis made from leaves of purple flowered plant foxglove used to stimulate heart.
iii. Analgesics
The pain reliever morphine is made from opium, which comes from the juice of opium poppy plant.
iv. Addictive
Many addictive illegal drugs e.g., marijuana are also obtained from plants.
3. Drugs from animals
Drugs obtained from animals are usually their glandular products. Fish liver oil, musk, bees wax, certain hormones and antitoxins are obtained from animal sources.
4. Drugs from minerals
Several common drugs are obtained from minerals:
i. The mineral iodine is used in making tincture of iodine, a liquid that helps to prevent infection when applied to cuts and bruises.
ii. The powder form of silver nitrate is applied on wounds to stop bleeding and prevent infection.
iii. While testing soil, researcher resulted in the development of one antibiotic terramycin which is used to treat many infections.
5. Drugs from bacteria
Many antibiotics are obtained from bacteria i.e. streptomycin etc.
