Economic Botany

(1) Curcumin obtained from Curcuma longa is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti cancer and hepatoprotective properties. The phenolic yellow curcumin pigment is successfully used in the Alzheimer's disease medication by Ayurvedic preparation.
(2) Nyctanthes arbortristis or locally Harsinghar is a shrub that belongs to the family Oleaceae, found abundantly on the Himalayas and cultivated in the rest of India, Burma (Myanmar) and Sri Lanka (Ceylon). The chief colouring pigment of harsinghar is nictanthin.
(3) Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower) is an annual herb belonging to the family Asteraceae. Carthamus tinctorius contains carthamin as colouring pigment. The walnut (Juglans regia), belongs to the family Juglandaceae. Juglone is the main colouring component of walnut.

A. Two chemotherapy drugs, Etoposide and Teniposide, are derived from toxins found in Podophyllum peltatum. The cancer treatment drug Topotecan is an extract of Camptotheca sp.
B. Ulmus wallichiana is a timber yielding plant located throughout India. It is moderately hard and strong. It is used for door and window frames, carts and other purposes.
C. The Pyrethrins are a pair of natural organic compounds normally derived from Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium that have potent insecticidal activity.
Hence, only statement A is false.

1. Reserpine is an indole alkaloid, antipsychotic and antihypertensive drug that has been used for the control of high blood pressure and for the relief of psychotic symptoms. Reserpine is derived from Rauwolfia serpantina.
2. Cryptostegia grandiflora, commonly known as rubber vine, is a woody-perennial vine that is native to south-west Madagascar. Its latex contains commercial quality rubber.
3. Brassica oleracea is the species of plant that includes many common foods as cultivars, including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale. In its uncultivated form it is known as wild cabbage. B. oleracea has become established as an important human food crop plant, used because of its large food reserves, which are stored over the winter in its leaves. It is rich in essential nutrients including vitamin C. Digoxin extracted from the foxglove (Digitalis lanata) plant. Digoxin is widely used in the treatment of various heart conditions.

The pyrethrins are a pair of natural organic compounds normally derived from Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium that have potent insecticidal activity.
The alkaloid solanine is derived from unripe fruits of Solanum dulcamara and showed antidermatophytic activity against Chrysosporium indicum.

A. Castor oil is obtained from the plant Ricinus communis. Colza oil is obtained from Brassica rapa var. oleifera (turnip).
B. Ephedra species produces the alkaloid ephedrine which is used in various medications.
C. The cancer treatment drug Topotecan is an extract of Camptotheca sp.
Hence, only statement A is false.

The edible beverages prepared from Theobroma are- cocoa and chocolate. Coffee and Khus are obtained from Coffea arabica and Vetiveria zizaniodes respectively.

Castilla elastica, commonly is known as the Panama rubber tree, is a tree native to the tropical areas of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. It was the principal source of latex among the Mesoamerican peoples in pre-Columbian times. The latex gathered from Castilla elastica was converted into usable rubber called panama rubber.

Prosopis cineraria is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is native to arid portions of Western and South Asia, including Afghanistan, Iran, India, Oman, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The wood of P. cineraria is a good fuel source, and provides excellent charcoal.

Maniliot glaziovii is a rubber yielding plant, Areca catechu is used as a masticatory along with betel, Cedrella toona is a timber yielding plant and Hibiscus subdarifa is fiber yielding plant. Hence, the correct sequence of the codes is A - 2, B - 1, C - 5, D - 3.

Jojoba wax is the ester matter produced in the seed of the Simmondsia chinensis. Vegetable ivory is a product made from the very hard white endosperm of the seeds of certain palm trees. Vegetable ivory is named for its resemblance to elephant ivory. Species in the genus Phytelephas, native to South America are the most important sources of vegetable ivory. Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp (reddish pulp) of the fruit of the oil palms, primarily the African oil palm Elaeis guineensis. Guayule rubber is obtained from Porthenium argeratum.
Hence, the correct sequence of codes is P - 2, Q - 1, R - 4, S - 5.