BPS MT #1

1. a)The adsorption distribution metabolism and elimination of drugs describes the major
processes in the field of pharmacology of drugs called __Pharmacokinetics____
2. Which condition does herceptin treat (be specific)_breast cancer___
Does herceptin follow Lipinskis rules?___No___
3. Write the name of the following therapeutic substances beside the correct regulatory
directorate:
Taxol, ginkgo, Herceptin, homeopathics, red bull (highly caffeinated drink)
a)Biologics directorate: Herceptin
b)Nonprescription & natural health product directorate: ginkgo, homeopathics
c)Therapeutic drugs directorate: Taxol
d) Foods directorate: Red bull
4) a) Natural products derived from phenylalanine via phenylalanine ammonia lyase,
containing no N, but possessing aromatic 6 carbon rings are called__phenolic______
b) Which biosynthetic group of compounds does this compound belong to
______alkaloid_____________
CH3
O

HO

O
N
N

CAMPTOTHECIN

5. a) What condition is colchicine used to treat __gout, arthritis__

b) What is its mode of action? It attacks the site of inflammation by preventing the
proliferation of leukocytes by blocking the reuptake of Ach receptor
6. The active principles of medicinal plants, fungi and bacteria (for example the antimelanoma compound betulinic acid) are obtained by a process called __bioassay guided
isolation__ after which their chemical structure can be obtained by _NMR/elucidation__
7. Describe reported adverse reactions possible with
a) St Johns wort:
SJW interacts w/ other drugs which can be life-threatening & reduce the
effectiveness of other drugs
b) Kava:

Hepatotoxicity, liver damage

c) omega 3 oils (ex. Flax oil)

Sudden bruising
8. a) In this diagram, tubocurare acts at which site? ACh receptor
b) The antidote physostigmine works at which site? AChE site

9. Provide details how these substances work (the cellular mechanism of action)
a) perveleine A as drug to reverse cancer resistance
Inhibits pgp pump
It is not a cytotoxic anticancer drug
It restores sensitivity to vinblastine in MDR cancers
b) betulinic acid as antimelonoma drug
need to use large [ ], quite selective at destroying melanoma
in comparison to other cancers (by apoptosis in melanoma
cells)
apoptosis-programmed cell death
10. a) what are homeopathic substances?
based on use of highly diluted plant extracts ( reverse potency), like treats like
b) given a review of clinical evidence that suggests homeopathic remedies are not
effective beyond the placebo effect, give a main reason why Health Canada grants a
license for these products: faith-based, small niche, loyal customers

11. a) Which experimental technique is normally used to determine the identity and
quality assurance of ginseng and other NHPs
HPLC High-performance liquid chromatography
b) How is Asian ginseng differentiated from American?
Asian: has a ginsenoside Rf marker
American: no ginsenoside Rf marker
12. In the controlled drug ayahuasca, the pharmacological role of the following
components is:
a) DMT: hallucinogen, religious communication with gods
b) Harmine: destroys DMT so that the hallucinogen is inactive
13. Indicate the country (Can, US, EU, Australia, Singapore) that best fits the described
regulatory system for medicinal plants:
a) Singapore regulated as TCM products
b) EU regulated like drugs
c) US regulated as foods w/ no health claims
d) Canada regulated as OTC w/ health claims, premarket assessment emphasis
e) Australia regulated as OTC w/ health claims, post market assessment emphasis
14. Evidence exists that Vit D is useful beyond Ca absorption & bone health. Give an
example.
suspected role in diabetes, cancers, inflammation
multiple sclerosis
15. What was the result found:
a) in risk assessment of Vit E supplementation for a vulnerable population w/ heart
conditions
significant increased risk of heart failure and hospitalization for heart failure
b) in an international meta analysis for folic acid (Vit B9) supplementation
significant reduction in neural tube disorders (NTD) like spina bifida
16. Which 2 biochemical rxns are altered by sulfurophane, PEITC and other cancer
chemopreventatives?
1. Slows down toxin metabolism
2. speeds up elimination(excretion)

17. a) What is the Neolithic diet? People that have a diet of nuts, berries, fish
b) What are its proposed benefits? Antioxdiant properties, lower risks of CVD
promote brain development, have anticancer, anti-inflammatory
activity
18. a) which substances in blueberries are antioxidants? Anthocyanins (coloured
pigments)
b) Which major biosynthetic class of compounds do they belong to? Phenolic
19. In the diagram, identify below:
a) the plant which produces these phytochemicals below: green tea
b) the major biosynthetic of phytochemicals (alkaloid, terpene, phenolic): phenolic
c) the most active compound according to SC50 data: (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate
Most potent compounds need the least amount of [ ]: epigallocatechin gallate =
best compound (mostOH groups)
d) SC50 is defined as the [ ] of cancer destroyed at 50%

20. Which of these 2 substances is

a) an omega 3: -linolenic
b) an omega 6: linoleic

18 C bonds, 2 double bonds from18:2:

c) which one is a precursor to prostaglandin? Linoleic
d) which one is a precursor to compounds needed in brain development? -linolenic
(EPA, DHA)

21. Biotech
a) Why are these phytochemicals removed by selection of rapeseed germplasm to create
canola?
eruric acid: linked to heart disease
glucoscinolate: anti-nutritive to cattle (not good nourishment)
b) which substance makes golden rice appear golden? Carotenoids
c) it was produced by which biotech company? Syngenta
d) The intended health use of golden rice is for: Vit A deficiency which leads to blindness
in developing countries
e) Which biotech platform is being used to produce artemisinic acid? Amrys Pharma
22. a) what is the final pdt (name only) in the biosynthetic sequence below?
Cholecalciferol (Vit D3)
b) Which factor is needed in the 1st rxn? UV light

23. Poppies w/ a mutation in biosynthesis produce thebaine

a) why is this poppy preferred for cultivation?
a precursor to morphine, but no morphine
safe to grow

b) thebaine is used as a precursor to make which drug by semisynthesis?

Oxycodone is a C-13 OH derivative of codeine can be made from thebaine by
semisynthesis
c) why has the drug produced been the cause of concern?
Morphine is highly addictive