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Pharmacognosy - 5.6 Anti-hypertensive

Anti-hypertensives: Classification and Examples

Anti-hypertensives

By Mr. Bhosale, SKCP, Kasbe Digraj

How to Access the Quiz for This Chapter

Click on Quiz on the right → enter your Details → select D. Pharmacy → choose Pharmacognosy → then select 5.6 Anti-hypertensives.

Anti-hypertensive refers to substances or drugs that are used to lower high blood pressure.

Subclasses of anti-hypertensive crude drugs

Calcium channel blockers:

These drugs block the entry of calcium ions into the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels, causing them to relax and dilate.

Example: aconite.

Beta and alpha adrenergic blockers:

These drugs block the receptors for adrenaline and noradrenaline, hormones that increase blood pressure by constricting the blood vessels and stimulating the heart.

Example: rauwolfia, yohimbe, and ephedra.

Only Alpha adrenergic blockers:

Piper nigrum

Central sympatholytics:

These drugs act on the brain to reduce the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which controls the blood pressure and heart rate.

Examples: clonidine, methyldopa, and reserpine.

Vasodilators:

These drugs directly relax the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels, causing them to expand and lower the blood pressure.

Examples: garlic, onion.

Rauwolfia

Synonyms

Rauwolfia root, Serpentine, Serpentine root, Serpent wood, Indian snake root, Sarpagandha, Chhotachand, Chandrika.

Regional Names

Hindi & Marathi: Sarpagandha (सर्पगंधा)

Biological Source

Derived from the dried roots and rhizomes of Rauwolfia serpentina (रॉवोल्फिया सर्पेटिना).

Native Region

Indigenous to the Indian subcontinent and East Asia.

Family

Apocynaceae (ऍपोसायनेसी).

Major Chemical Constituents

Indole Alkaloids (इंडोल अल्कलॉईड्स): Reserpine (रिसरपिन), Deserpidine (डेसरपिडीन), Rescinnamine (रेसिनॅमिन)

Minor Chemical Constituents

Other Alkaloids: Ajmaline (अजमॅलिन), Ajmalicine (अजमॅलिसिन), Raubescine (रॉबेसिन), Serpentine (सर्पेटीन), Yohimbine (योहिंबिन)

Uses

  • Cardiovascular Health: Used in the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure).
  • Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Helps manage schizophrenia, anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
  • Sedative Effects: Used as a tranquilizer in traditional medicine.
  • Other Uses: Occasionally used in Ayurveda and Unani medicine for snake bites and fever.
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