Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
March 31,
2017
3E-PHARMACY
ASSIGNMENT 01
A. Definition of Tannin
Tannins are complex chemical substances derived from phenolic acids (sometimes
called tannic acid). They are classified as phenolic compounds, which are found in
many species of plants. Tannin was first applied by Seguin in 1796 to denote
substances present in plant extracts which were able to combine with protein of
animal hides, prevent their putrefaction and convert them into leather.
HYDROLYZABLE TANNINS
They are molecules with a polyol (generally D-glucose) as a central core. The
hydroxyl groups of these carbohydrates are partially or totally esterified with
phenolic groups like gallic acid (gallotannins) or ellagic acid ( ellagitannins). They
are usually present in low amounts in plants.
Two principles type are galitannins and ellagitannins which are composed of gallic
acid and hexahydro-diphenic acid units. Ellagic acid arises by lactonization of
hexahydroxydiphenic acid druing hydrolysis of tannins. Ellagitannins have been
elucidated geraniin and tellimagrandins 1 and 2.
The term has been applied to a newly-discovered group of tannins which are
biosynthesized from both a hydrolyzable tannin and a condensed tannin. The union
occurs through a C-C bonf between C-1 of the glucose unit of the ellagitannin and C-
8 or C-6 pf the flavan-3-ol derivative. The monomers are also involved in oligomer
formation. They have not great relevance to mainstream pharmacognosy:
monomers have been isolated form the Combretaceae, Fagaceae and Theaceae.
PSEUDOTANNINS
They are compounds of lower molecular weight tannins than true tannins and they
do not respond to the goldbeater's skin test. Some of the examples are Gallic acid:
rhubarb and most materials which contain gallitannins, Catechins: catechu, acacia
cutch, many Australian kinos, cocoa, guarana and many other drugs containing
condensed tannins, Chlorogenic acid: coffee abd nux vomica and last would be
Ipecacuanhic acid: ipecacuanha.
Tannins are of wide occurence in plants and are usually found in greatest quantity in
dead or dying cells. They exert an inhibitory effect on many enzymes due to protein
precipitation hence they may contribute a protective function in barks and
heartwoods. Commercial tannins used in a leather industry and pharmaceutical
tannins are prepared from oak galls and yields glucose and gallic acid on hydrolysis.
Some plants contain tannin in addition to the principal therapeutic constituents.
Tannins are soluble in water, dilute alkalis, alcohol, glycerol and acetone, but
generally sparingly soluble in other organic solvents.
In practice, these tests have to some extent been superseded by the use of
TLC, particular for the idetification of crude drugs.
Tannins are found commonly in the bark of trees, wood, leaves, buds, stems, fruits,
seeds, roots, and plant galls. They are located mainly in the vacuoles or surface
wax of the plants. In these sites they do not interfere with plant metabolism. Only
after cell breakdown and death can they act and have metabolic effects.