Critic Paper on Carboxylic acids

8/7/2019 Critic Paper on Carboxylic acids

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Critic Paper on Carboxylic acids

1NUR 8-Group 7

Orence, Ann Mariel

Ortiz, Angelique

Ortiz, Elvin

Pacaldo, Jose

Paguirigan, Mel

Valerian herb and its uses

It is found naturally in the perennial flowering plant valerian (Valeriana

officinalis), from which it gets its name. Valerian is a powerful nervine,

stimulant, carminative and antispasmodic.

It has a remarkable influence on the cerebro-spinal system, and is used as asedative to the higher nerve centres in conditions ofnervous unrest, St. Vitus'sdance, hypochrondriasis, neuralgic pains and the like.

The drug allays pain and promotes sleep. It is of especial use and benefit to

those suffering from nervous overstrain, as it possesses none of the after-effects produced by narcotics.

During the recent War, when air-raids were a serious strain on theoverwrought nerves of civilian men and women, Valerian, prescribed withother simple ingredients, taken in a single dose, or repeated according to theneed, proved wonderfully efficacious, preventing or minimizing serious results.

Though in ordinary doses, it exerts an influence quieting and soothing in itsnature upon the brain and nervous system, large doses, too often repeated,have a tendency to produce pain in the head, heaviness and stupor.

It is commonly administered as Tinctura Valerianae Ammoniata, and often inassociation with the alkali bromides, and is sometimes given in combinationwith quinine, the tonic powers of which it appreciably increases.

Oil of Valerian is employed to a considerable extent on the Continent as apopular remedy for cholera, in the form of cholera drops, and also to a certainextent in soap perfumery.

Ettmuller writes of its virtues in strengthening the eyesight, especially when

this is weakened by want of energy in the optic nerve.


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The juice of the fresh root, under the name of Energetene of Valerian, has oflate been recommended as more certain in its effects, and of value as anarcotic in insomnia, and as an anti-convulsant in epilepsy. Having also someslight influence upon the circulation, slowing the heart and increasing its force,it has been used in the treatment of cardiac palpitations.

Valerian was first brought to notice as a specific for epilepsy by Fabius

Calumna in 1592, he having cured himself of the disease with it.

Active Compound

Valeric acid, orpentanoic acid, is a straight-chain alkyl carboxylic acid with

the chemical formula C5H10O2. Like other low-molecular-weight carboxylic

acids, it has a very unpleasant odor. Its primary use is in the synthesis of its

esters. Volatile esters of valeric acid tend to have pleasant odors and are

used in perfumes and cosmetics. Ethyl valerate and pentyl valerate are usedas food additives because of their fruity flavors.

The chief constituent of Valerian is a yellowish-green to brownish-yellow oil,which is present in the dried root to the extent of 0.5 to 2 per cent though anaverage yield rarely exceeds 0.8 per cent. This variation in quantity is partlyexplained by the influence of locality, a dry, stony soil, yielding a root richer inoil than one that is moist and fertile.

Lindley's Treasury of Botanystates: 'What is known to chemists as volatile oilof Valerian seems not to exist naturally in the plant, but to be developed by

the agency of water.'

The oil is contained in the sub-epidermal layer of cells in the root, not inisolated cells or glands. It is of complex composition, containing valerianic,formic and acetic acids, the alcohol known as borneol, and pinene. Thevalerianic acid present in the oil is not the normal acid, but isovalerianic acid,an oily liquid to which the characteristically unpleasant odour of Valerian isdue. It is gradually liberated during the process of drying, being yielded by thedecomposition of the chief constituent, bornyl-isovalerianate, by the fermentpresent. It is strongly acid, burning to the palate and with the odour of the

plant. The oil is soluble in 30 parts of water and readily in alcohol and ether. Itis found in nature in the oil of several plants, also in small proportion in trainoil and the oil ofCetacea (whales, porpoises, etc.), which owe their smell to it.It is also one of the products of oxidation of animal matters and of fat oils, andis secreted in certain portions of animal bodies. Its salts are soluble and havea sweetish taste and fatty aspect.

The root also contains two alkaloids - Chatarine and Valerianine - which arestill under investigation and concerning which little is known, except that theyform crystalline salts. There are also a glucoside, alkaloid and resin allphysiologically active, discovered in the fresh rhizome by Chevalier as

recently as 1907. He claims that the fresh root is of greater medicinal valuethan the dry on this account.


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On incineration, the drug, if free from adherent earthy matter, yields about 8 or9 per cent of ash.

The chief preparation of the British Pharmacopoeia is the Tinctura ValerianaeAmmoniata, containing Valerian, oil of Nutmeg, oil of Lemon and Ammonia: it

is an extremely nauseous and offensive preparation. An etherial tincture andthe volatile oil are official in some of the Continental Pharmacopceias, and adistilled water and syrup in the French Codex.

Valerianate of oxide of ethyl, or valerianic ether is a fragrant compound

occurring in some vegetable products. The valerianic acid in use is not

prepared from the root, but synthetically from amyl alcohol. Valerianic acid

combines with various bases (the oxides of metals) to form salts called

Valerianates. Valerianate of zinc, prepared by double decomposition, is used

as an antispasmodic and is official in the British Pharmacopoeia.

Side Effects and Safety Concerns

Pregnant or nursing women and children should not use valerian.

People taking medications for insomnia or anxiety, such as benzodiazepines,

should not combine these medications with valerian.

Side effects of valerian may include headache, dizziness, itchiness, upsetstomach, drowsiness during the daytime, dry mouth and vivid.dreams.

Rarely, liver damage has been associated with the use of valerian. It's not

certain whether the cause of the liver damage was due to valerian itself or to

contaminants in the product. Until we know more, people should use valerian

only under the supervision of a qualified health care practitioner and those

with liver disease should avoid it. Although liver damage doesn't always

produce noticeable symptoms, if excessive tiredness, intense itching, nausea,

vomiting, diarrhea, pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen,or a yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin occurs, see your doctor

immediately.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the valerian herb containing the valeric acid(pentanoic acid) is a

powerful nervine(calmative), stimulant, carminative(combats flatulence) and

antispasmodic(muscle spasm suppressant). The valerian herb is a very useful

herb with a lot of good uses and also bad effects on the human body .


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Critic Paper on Carboxylic acids