Question

The active chemical drug reserpine is obtained from:
(a) Datura
(b) Rauwolfia
(c) Atropa
(d) Papaver

Answer 1

Hint: Reserpine is obtained from an evergreen shrub commonly known as devil peppers and is mainly found in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Latin-America, and various islands.

Complete answer:
Reserpine is an alkaloid used as an anti-hypertensive drug (treatment of high blood pressure). It is mostly given in combination with Vasodilator or Thiazide diuretics. Reserpine is obtained from the roots of Rauwolfia serpentina is a species of flower in the Milkweed family Apocynaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and East-Asia widely distributed in the Sub-Himalayan region.
Additional Information:
-It is declining in the wild due to the exploitation of its medicinal uses.
-Reserpine inhibits the uptake of non-adrenaline into the vesicles resulting in depletion of Catecholamines and serotonin from central and peripheral neurons.
-Historically it was also used to treat snake bites, insomnia, high blood pressure, and mental illness.
-There are various side effects of reserpine like chest pain, sow heart rate, loss of appetite, dizziness, depression, weight gain, anxiety, nasal congestion, peptic ulcer, and many more. Due to which this drug is rarely used.
So, the correct answer is, ‘Rauwolfia’.

Note: -Rauwolfia serpentina is also known as Indian snakeroot or serpentine root due to its snake-like appearance.
-Reserpine is never given as a single medicine. It is always given in combination with other drugs due to its adverse side effect.
-Many well-tolerated antihypertensive drugs are now being used like calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, vasodilators, etc. which have lesser CNS adverse effects.