question_answer

The part of Papaver soniniferum, from which opium is obtained

A)  seed                                    

B)  stem and leaf

C)  unripe fruits                     

D)  mature fruits

Correct Answer: C

Solution :

                 Opium is one of the oldest narcotics used by man. It is obtained from unripe capsule of Papaver somniferum. It contains about 25 alkaloids present in combined form with the organic acid and meconic acid. The active constituent of opium is morphine. It constitutes 8 to 17% of the drug. The other alkaloids of opium are codeine, nescopine or narcotine, thebaine and papaverine. This drug mainly acts on the sensory nerve cells of cerebrum. It is used for the treatment of cancerous ulceration of the stomach, chronic gastritis, nervous and prolonged vomiting, diarrhoea etc.                 Morphine