Pharmacognosy of Vitamins for D.Pharm

1. VITAMINS
By Prof. Shekhar Teli
M.pharm (Pharmacology)

2. SHARK LIVER OIL
Synonym: Oleum Selachoids
Biological source: Shark liver oil is the fixed oil obtained from the fresh
and carefully preserved livers of various species of the shark, mainly
Hypoprion brevirostris. In India, Scoliodon, Carcharias and Sphyrna are
abundant species are generally used for extraction purpose.
According to I.P, one gram of oil should not contain less than 6000 IU of
vitamin A activity
G.S: In India, the sharks are processed and oil is obtained on commercial
scale in TN, MH, and Kerala
And European countries also produces shark liver oil on large scale
Morphological Characters:
Colour: Pale yellow to brownish-yellow
Odour: Characteristic fishy, but not rancid
Taste: Bland or fishy
Solubility: soluble in solvent ether, chloroform, and light petroleum
and insoluble in water and slightly soluble in ethyl alcohol.

4. Method of preparation:
 Extraction of oil is from the liver of shark
 In government factories of Tamilnadu and Maharashtra the
livers are cleaned and minced
 Then the minced mass boiled in pot by maintaining
temperature of 80°C
 The oil is extracted, and treated with dehydrating agent to
remove of water.
 The oil is then taken to vacuum still for dehydration and
chilled to separate stearin.
 And centrifuges are used to separate the suspended
materials in oil.
 Then the oil is stored in well closed container and away
from sunlight.

5. Chemical constituents:
 Shark liver oil contains vitamin A.
 1gm of oil containing vitamin A is about 15k to 30k IU
 It also contain glycerides of saturated and unsaturated
fatty acids.
Uses:
 It is used in the deficiency of vitamin A.
 Used in the preparation of burns and sunburns
ointments.
 Used in the preparation of shark liver oil emulsion

6. AMLA
Synonym: Emblica, Indian Goose berry, Embelic myrobalan
Biological source: it consist of dried as well as, fresh fruits of the
plant Emblica officinalis Gaerth.
Family: Euphorbiaceae
G.S: It is small and medium size tree cultivated in India, Sri Lanka,
Myanmar.
Morphological Characters:
Colour: Green changing to light yellow or brick red when matured.
Odour: None
Taste: Sore and astringent
Size: 1.5 to 2.5 cm in diameter.
Shape: The fruits are globose

8. Cultivation and collection:
 It is grown by seed germination and it can also propagated by
budding or cutting
 It normally grown at an altitude of 1500m
 The cultivated plant bears large fruits and the trees bears
flowers in hot season and fruit ripen in winter.
 The fruits of plant are collected from wild grown plant.
Chemical constituents:
 Amla fruits contain a rich natural vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) and
also contain phosphorus, iron, calcium.
 100gm of fresh pulp contains 600 to 750mg of vitamin C
Uses:
 It is used in the deficiency of vitamin C
 Used in the treatment of scurvy
 Used as an diuretics
 Fruits are used in preparation of inks, hair oil, hair shampoo.
 It is a popular drug ingredient of Triphala and Chyavanprash.