Question

The drug santonin is obtained from the flowers of
A. Artemisia cina
B. Aloe vera
C. Atropa belladonna
D. Colchicum autumnale

Answer 1

Drug santonin was widely used in the past as an anthelmintic and it helps to expel the parasitic worms from the human body by either killing or stunning them.

Complete answer:
There are parasitic worms which feed on body fluids and these parasitic worms are harmful to the human body. So, this santonin drug is used which expels the parasitic worms from the body and this is done either by killing or stunning them.

This drug is an organic chemical which consists of colorless flat prisms, it is slightly yellow from the action of light. This chemical is soluble in alcohol, chloroform and boiling water. This drug is derived from santonica which are unexpanded flower-heads of Artemisia cina.

If we look at options now,

Option A - Artemisia cina.
It is the correct option since this drug santonin is obtained from the unexpanded flower-heads of Artemisia cina. Therefore, this option can be considered.

Option B - Aloe vera.
Aloe vera is a member of the Liliaceae family and it is a perennial plant and drug santonin is not obtained from aloe vera but it is obtained from Artemisia cina. Hence, this option is incorrect.

Option C - Atropa belladonna.
It is a poisonous and perennial herbaceous plant in the nightshade which belongs to the family Solanaceae. It includes tomatoes, potatoes, etc. Drug santonin is not obtained from Atropa belladonna but it is obtained from Artemisia cina. Hence, this option is incorrect.

Option D - Colchicum autumnale.
It is a toxic autumn-blooming flowering plant from which drug santonin is not derived but it is derived from Artemisia cina. Therefore, this option is an incorrect one.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Drug santonin is not obtained from Artemisia cina which is also known as Levant wormseed, and wormseed. Its dried flowerheads are the source of the vermifuge drug santonin, This drug kills parasitic bacteria.