Pharmacology and Therapeutics

The agents that are used to treat the infectious cancer cells are called anticancer drugs. Examples are: Chlorambucil, Cyclophosphamide, Dacarbazine, etc. Levonorgestrel is used as an antifertility drug.

P. Busulfan is used as an anticancer agent. Q. Those effective mainly against Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria are narrow spectrum antibiotics. Penicillin G has a narrow spectrum and is used for streptococcal infections and Lyme disease. R. Phenothiazine and equanil both are used as tranquilizers. Hence, only the statement P is false.

Reserpine was isolated in 1952 from the dried root of Rauwolfia serpentina (Indian snakeroot), which had been known as Sarpagandha and had been used for centuries in India for the treatment of insanity, as well as fever and snakebites. Reserpine (Lannett's Serpalan) is an indole alkaloid, antipsychotic and antihypertensive drug that has been used for the control of high blood pressure and as a tranquilizer.
Some examples of tranquilizers are: Valium (diazepam), Librium/Novopoxide (chlordiazepoxide), Halcion (triazolam), ProSom (estazolam), Xanax, Ativan, etc.

(P) Medroxyprogesterone is a progestin hormone, prescribed for menstrual problems, breast cancer and prevention of pregnancy. (Q) Valium and Librium are used as tranquilizers. (R) Ethinyl Estradiol and Norgestimate both have contraceptive properties and thus used as antifertility drugs. Hence, only R is false.

Two chemotherapy drugs, Etoposide and Teniposide, are derived from toxins found in Podophyllum peltatum. Taxus brevifolia (Pacific yew) have been used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy. Taxus brevifolia have two chemotherapeutic drugs- pacliocetaxel and paclitaxel. The cancer treatment drug Topotecan is an extracted from Camptotheca sp. Hence, only option 5 is correct.

P. 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. Q. 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. R. 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. Hence, statements P and Q are correct.

This drug is used for killing microfilariae.

It is used for curing high fever.

These drugs alter thought and mood.

Both acetylcholine and pilocarpine lower the heart rate.

Antivenin is a biological product used in the treatment of venomous bites or stings. It contains antibodies that neutralize the toxins found in snake venom.

Quinine, obtained from Cinchona ledgeriana, is a very commonly used anti-malarial drug. Reserpine, an alkaloid obtained from the roots of Rauwolfia serpentina, is used as Tranquilizer. Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid and a stimulant drug obtained from Camellia sinensis. In humans, caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant, temporarily warding off drowsiness and restoring alertness. Atropine, an anticholinergic agent obtained from Atropa belladonna, is used as premedication in anaesthesia to reduce upper respiratory secretions.

Colchicine is a pale-yellow crystalline alkaloid extracted from seeds or corms of the autumn crocus. It is used in the treatment of gout. Taxol, obtained mainly from the bark of the Yew tree, is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body. Digoxin, a purified cardiac glycoside extracted from the foxglove plant, is used to treat certain heart problems such as some arrhythmias and heart failure. Codeine is a white, crystalline, slightly bitter alkaloid, obtained from opium, used in medicine chiefly as an analgesic or sedative and to inhibit coughing.

Aspirin is the brand name for the chemical compound acetylsalicylic acid.

Aspirin is the brand name for the chemical compound acetylsalicylic acid. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are different chemical compounds used for similar purposes.