1. University of Sciences & Technology
Ibb Branch, Medical Science Faculty
Bachelor of Pharmacy Students
( Level 2 )
Pharmacognosy Lecture No.(4)
( Second semester 2014/2015)
Dr. Taha Hussien

2. Introduction To
Medicinal Fruits

3. Introduction to Medicinal Fruits
Definition:
They are developed and ripened ovary or ovaries of a single flower or a group of flowers.
In false fruits, other floral parts are included with gynaecium.
Functions:
1- Protection of seeds.
2- Ensures the distribution of seeds.
3- Nourishment of seeds.
Surface:
- Smooth (Capsicum), hairy (Anise),
ridged (Umbelliferous fruits)…..etc.

4. Histology: 1- Epicarp: 2- Mesocarp: 3- Endocarp:
The fruit wall is called pericarp that divides to:
1- Epicarp:
Thin or membranous (Tomato),
thick and hard (Colocynth).
Formed of a single layer or accompanied by one or more modified hypodermal layers (Colocynth).
It may contain ca ox crystals (Coriander).
2- Mesocarp:
Parenchymatous containing vascular bundles and secretory structures (Umbelliferous fruits).
3- Endocarp:
Thin or thick and hard, formed of either a single layer or accompanied by hypodermal layers.

5. Fruit Layers 2- Epicarp (Ectocarp or Exocarp). 3- Mesocarp.
4- Endocarp.
5- Placenta.
6- Seed stalk.
7- Seeds.

6. Kinds of Fruits Fruits are divided according to: 1- Origin.
2- Number of carpels.
3- Nature of the pericarp.
True:
Originate from
gynaecium of
a single flower or inflorescence.
False:
Originate from gynaecium together with other floral parts which modify to form the main part of the fruit (e.g. Apple).

7. False Fruits

8. I-True Fruits 3- Composite: Formed from the whole inflorescence
1- Simple:
Formed from a single or a syncarpous gynaecium.
2- Aggregate:
Developed from apocarpous gynaecium of a single flower
e.g. Star-anise
3- Composite:
Formed from the whole inflorescence

9. 1- Simple True Fruits A- Succulent: B- Dry: With fleshy pericarp
Classified into:
1- Drupe.
2- Berry.
B- Dry:
With Dry pericarp
1- Dehiscent.
2- Indehiscent.
3- Schizocarpic.

10. A- Succulent Simple True Fruits
1- Drupe:
1- Fleshy mesocarp.
2- Hard endocarp.
3- One seeded.
Examples:
Apricot
Black pepper.
2- Berry:
2- Leathery endocarp.
3- Many seeded.
Example:
Capsicum

11. B- Dry Simple True Fruits
1- Dehiscent:
Split open on ripening to disperse seeds
i- Follicle.
ii- Legume.
iii- Siliqua.
iv- Capsule
2- Indehiscent:
- Don’t split
,open on
ripening.
i- Achene.
ii- Caryopsis.
iii- Cypsela.
iv- Samara.
v- Nut.
3-Schizocarpic: - Many seeded
multilocular
fruits.
- on ripening,
split into closed
one seeded
indehiscent
parts.

12. 1- Dehiscent Fruits i- Follicle: 1- From monocarpell- ary ovary.
2- Split along
one side (ventral suture)
ii- Legume (Pod):
both ventral
and dorsal
sutures.
iii- Siliqua:
1- From monocarp.,
bilocular ovary.
2- Split from base
to apex.
3- The seeds are
attached to the
replum.

13. iv- Capsule Formed from syncarpous gynaecium.
Split into valves by diferent methods:
1- Septicidal (through ventral sutures).
2- Loculicidal (through dorsal sutures).
3- Septifragal (similar to 1 and 2 but seeds are left attached to the central axis.
septifragal

14. 2- Insdehiscent Fruits i- Achene: From monocarp., uniloc., sup. Ovary.
Membranous pericarp, not fused with testa.
ii- Caryopsis:
Similar to achene but pericarp is fused with testa.

15. 2- Insdehiscent Fruits v- Nut: iii- Cypsela: From bicarp.,
uniloc. inf.
Ovary.
Pericarp and
testa are not
fused.
iv- Samara:
* From monocarp.,
uniloc. Ovary.
With membranous
wings.
v- Nut:
From
monocarp.,
With woody
pericarp.

16. Thanks for
your attention

17. University of Sciences & Technology
Ibb Branch, Medical Science Faculty
Bachelor of Pharmacy Students
( Level 2 )
Pharmacognosy Lecture No.(5)
( Second semester 2014/2015)
Dr. Taha Hussien

18. Study of Some Important Medicinal Fruits

19. The Members of Family Umbelliferae
1- Fennel
2- Anise
3- Coriander
4- Caraway
5- Dill
6- Cumin
7- Ammi visnaga
8- Ammi majus

20. 1- Fennel fruits
Origin:
It is the dried ripe fruits of Foeniculum vulgare
Family; Umbelliferae
Pleasant taste and odour
Geographical source
- Mediterranean countries

21. Active constituents 1- Volatile oils ( Anethole, Fenchone )
2- Flavonoids Protein Fixed oils
Anethole: distinctive odour & taste.
Fenchone: pungent odour & bitter taste.
Anethole
Fenchone

22. Therapeutic uses
1- Fennel is used as carminative, Antispasmodic ( in cases of GIT disorder as ( Dyspepsia, Flatulence ), Expectorant ( in cases of productive cough ).
- Also used as flavouring agent
2-Fennel Ext. has Antihypertensive action
3- Fennel oil has Antioxidant Effect.
4- Unproven folk-uses:
In India, used as Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Lactogogue ( to increase the milk secretion)

23. 2- Anise (Aniseed ) fruits
Origin:
It is the dried ripe fruits of Bimpinella anisum
Family; Umbelliferae
- It has Aromatic taste and odour
- Fruits with Hairy surface
Geographical source
- Mediterranean countries .

24. Active constituents 1- Volatile oils ( 90 % Anethole )
Therapeutic uses
1- Anise is used as Carminative, Antispasmodic ( in cases of GIT disorder as ( Dyspepsia, Flatulence )
2- Other uses:
A- Anise oil is effective in treatment of head-lice due to v.oils action (research, 1996).
B- Some folk uses:
- Lactagogue, Expectorant, to facilitate birth (unproven
effects).
Adulterants of Anise
- Conium fruits (Hemlock) and Henbane seeds are the major adulterants of Anise.

25. 3- Coriander fruits
Origin:
It is the dried ripe fruits of Coriandrum sativum
Family; Umbelliferae
- It has Aromatic taste and odour
Geographical source
- Mediterranean countries

26. Active constituents Therapeutic uses 1- Volatile oils
( Coriandrol, Linalool, Linalool acetate )
Therapeutic uses
1- Coriander is used as Carminative, Antispasmodic ( in cases of GIT disorder as ( Dyspepsia, Flatulence )
2- It is used in cosmetics industry (perfumes and soap).
3- AS spicy.
N.B.
1- Fennel, Anise and Coriander oils have estrogen like compouds, therefore they effective in reliving symptoms which with premenstrual syndrome, menopause and menstrual cycle.
2- Patients with estrogen dependant tumors such as breast or ovarian cancer should not used oils with estrogen like compounds as fennel, anise and coriander oils.

27. 4- Caraway fruits
Origin:
It is the dried ripe fruits of Carum carvi
Family; Umbelliferae
- It has Aromatic taste and odour
Geographical source
- Mediterranean countries

28. Active constituents Therapeutic uses 1- Volatile oils
( Carveol, Carvone, Dihydrocarvone)
Therapeutic uses
1- Coriander is used as Carminative, Antispasmodic ( in cases of GIT disorder as ( Dyspepsia, Flatulence ) specially with infants
2- Unproven folk uses:
a- Lactagogue.
b- Emmenagogue ( To induce menstruation in cases of
menstrual cycle disorder ).
c - For treatment of sore throat.
d- As Appetizer For treatment of Anorexia ( appetite loss).

29. 5- Dill fruits
Origin:
It is the dried ripe fruits of Anethum graveolens
Family; Umbelliferae
- Aromatic taste and odour
Active constituents
- Volatile oils ( Carvone)
Therapeutic uses The same uses of Caraway

30. 6- Cumin fruits
Origin:
It is the dried ripe fruits of Cuminum cyminum
Family; Umbelliferae
- Cumin fruits has hairy surface
with Aromatic taste and odour
Geographical source
- Mediterranean countries

31. Active constituents Therapeutic uses 1- Volatile oils ( Cuminaldehyde)
1- Coriander is used as Carminative, Antispasmodic ( in cases of GIT disorder as ( Dyspepsia, Flatulence ) specially with infants
2- As Spicy

32. 7- Ammi visnaga fruits
Origin:
It is the dried ripe fruits of Ammi visnaga
Family; Umbelliferae
- Odourless with Bitter taste
Geographical source
- Egyptian plant.

33. Active constituents - Furanochromones ( Derivative of 5,6-benzo-4-pyrone ( Visnagin, Khellin, Khellol, Khellolglucoside

34. Therapeutic uses
1- Antispasmodic ( GIT, Renal spasms due to it’s Smooth
muscle relaxant
2- Act as Coronary vasodilator so it is used in ttt
Angina pectoris attacks
3- Act as Bronchodilator so used in ttt Bronchial asthma
attacks
4- Act as Smooth muscle relaxant so, It is used in ttt of
Renal calculi ( facilitate the passage of renal
calculi from the ureters )
Contraindications of A. visnaga
1- May cause photodermatitis in sensitive individuals.
2- Pregnancy due to emmenagogue and uterine
stimulating activity of khellin.

35. 8- Ammi majus fruits
Origin:
It is the dried ripe fruits of Ammi majus
Family; Umbelliferae
- Odourless with Pungent taste
Geographical source
- Egyptian plant..

36. 1- It is used in ttt Leukoderma ( Vitiligo )
Active constituents
1- Furanocoumarine
(Derivative of 5,6-benzo-2-pyrone )
( Psoralen, Bergapten)
R= H Psoralen
R= OCH3 Bergapten
Therapeutic uses
1- It is used in ttt Leukoderma ( Vitiligo )
- This form of therapy based on the joint action of medicine
and irradiation is called photochemotherapy

37. Vitiligo treatment: Before (left), During (middle) & After (right)
- A disorder of skin pigmentation characterized by widening areas of
depigmented skin.
It’s associated with local destruction of melanocytes (cells that
produce melanin to darken the skin).
There are theories suggesting autoimmune link, hormonal connection,
genetic tendencies, etc.

38. Thanks for
your attention