Pharmacy (Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy)

(a) Root

The dried roots of Rauwolfia serpentina are the drug. They contain the alkaloids reserpine, ajmaline and serpentine, used as an antihypertensive and tranquilliser.

(d) All of above

Vincristine and vinblastine are vinca alkaloids from Catharanthus roseus. They block microtubule assembly (mitotic spindle) and are used against leukemias (especially childhood ALL), lymphomas, and solid tumours such as carcinomas and sarcomas, so all the listed types are treated.

(c) Lubricating

Magnesium stearate is the most widely used lubricant in tablet making. It reduces friction between the tablet and the die wall during compression and ejection.

(a) Tyrosine

Adrenaline is made from the amino acid tyrosine: tyrosine → L-DOPA → dopamine → noradrenaline → adrenaline. Tyrosine is the precursor in this pathway, which is catalysed by tyrosine hydroxylase and finally PNMT. Ligase and zymase are not involved.

(a) UNG

UNG stands for Unguentum, the Latin word for ointment. gtt means drops, Pulv means powder, and Agit means shake.

(b) Activated charcoal

Activated charcoal adsorbs many poisons in the gut, which is why it is called the universal antidote. Atropine, morphine and naloxone are specific to particular poisonings.

(a) Antipyretics

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is an NSAID that inhibits cyclooxygenase. It is used as an antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, and also as an antiplatelet agent. It is not an antibiotic or antiseptic.

(c) Tetracycline

Tetracyclines chelate calcium and are deposited in developing teeth and bones, causing yellow-brown discoloration. They are therefore avoided in pregnancy and in children under 8 years.

(b) Mannitol

Mannitol is the sweetening agent and diluent of choice in chewable tablets. It has a cool, pleasant taste, is non-hygroscopic and is non-cariogenic.

(a) Withania

Ashwagandha is Withania somnifera (Solanaceae). Its roots are used as an adaptogen and tonic. Belladonna is Atropa belladonna, cinchona yields quinine, and senna is a laxative.

(b) Penicillin

Benzathine penicillin G is the drug of choice for syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum, which remains sensitive to it.

(c) Gentamicin

The first-line anti-TB drugs are isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside and is not first line (streptomycin is the aminoglycoside used for TB, as a second-line or reserve drug).

(b) Medicinal plant

Pharmacognosy is the study of crude drugs obtained from plants, animals and minerals. It covers their identification, cultivation, collection and chemical constituents, so it is mainly the study of medicinal plants.

(b) Posology

Posology is the branch of pharmacy and medicine that deals with the dose of drugs and how it is calculated for age, weight and condition.

(d) Leguminosae

Senna (Cassia angustifolia / Cassia acutifolia) belongs to the family Leguminosae (Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae). Its leaves and pods contain anthraquinone glycosides (sennosides) and act as a purgative.

(c) Suspension

A monophasic liquid is a single-phase true solution, as with syrup, mixture and linctus. A suspension has insoluble solid particles dispersed in a liquid, so it is biphasic (heterogeneous).

(c) Expectorant

Ammonium chloride irritates the gastric mucosa and reflexly increases bronchial secretion, making sputum less viscous and easier to cough up. It is a common ingredient of cough mixtures and is also used as a systemic acidifier.

(b) Antihypertensive

Rauwolfia serpentina contains the alkaloids reserpine and rescinnamine, which deplete catecholamine stores at nerve endings and so lower blood pressure. It is also used as a tranquilliser.

(a) 66.67% w/v

Simple syrup (IP/BP) contains 66.7 g of sucrose in 100 mL, which is about 85% w/w. This concentration is high enough to resist microbial growth without a preservative.

(b) Adrenaline

Adrenaline (epinephrine), given intramuscularly, is the drug of choice in anaphylactic shock. It reverses bronchospasm and vasodilation through $\alpha_1$ and $\beta_2$ actions and raises blood pressure.

(c) Both

Potassium permanganate is an oxidising agent. Its dilute solution (about 1 in 10,000) is used as an antiseptic with antibacterial and antifungal action, for example on wounds and in fungal skin infections.

(a) 17

The provision on prescription of drugs in the Drug Act, 2035 (1978) of Nepal is made in Section 17.

(b) Chiraito

Triphala consists of three fruits: Harro (Terminalia chebula), Barro (Terminalia bellirica) and Amala (Emblica officinalis). Chiraito (Swertia chirayita) is a bitter herb and is not part of it.

(c) Carboxylic acid

Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid, an acetyl derivative of salicylic acid, which is an aromatic carboxylic acid. Among the options it is classed as a carboxylic acid (salicylate) derivative, not a propionic acid, indole or pyrazolone.

(c) Vitamin E

Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble (water-insoluble). The B complex and vitamin C are water-soluble.

(c) Vancomycin

Vancomycin inhibits cell-wall synthesis and is bactericidal. Chloramphenicol, tetracycline and clindamycin inhibit protein synthesis at the 50S or 30S ribosomal subunit and are bacteriostatic.

(c) Pyrethrum

Pyrethrum (from Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium flowers) contains pyrethrins, which are natural insecticides. Synthetic analogues are called pyrethroids.

(a) Molisch

Molisch's test is the general test for carbohydrates. Conc. H$_2$SO$_4$ dehydrates the sugar to furfural or hydroxymethylfurfural, which condenses with $\alpha$-naphthol to give a purple ring at the junction. Ninhydrin tests amino acids, Baljet tests cardiac glycosides (cardenolides), and Keller-Killiani tests deoxy sugars.

(d) N-Acetylcysteine

Overdose of paracetamol depletes glutathione, so the toxic metabolite NAPQI damages the liver. N-acetylcysteine replenishes glutathione and detoxifies NAPQI, and is most effective when given within 8-10 hours.

(b) 8-25 °C

In pharmacopoeial storage terms, "cool" means any temperature between 8 °C and 25 °C. A refrigerator is 2-8 °C, and "cold" means not above 8 °C.