An alkaloid called 'reserpine' is extracted from:

Options

A. Roots of serpentina
B. Leaves of Sarpaganda
C. Roots of Ashwaganda
D. Leaves of Ashwaganda

Answer

A

Explanation

Reserpine is a naturally occurring drug that has been used for centuries in ancient Inida. It is extracted from the root of Rauwolfia vomitoria, Plant found extensively in Africa. In traditional herbal medicine, the root was brewed as a tea and used in humans to treat hypertension, insanity, snakebite and cholera. The purified alkaloid, reserpine, was islolated in 1952 and is considered the first morden drug for the treatment of hypertension. Reserpine, irreversibly binds to the storage vesicles of neurotransmitters, particularly norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. Eventually, catecholamine depletion occusrs becasuse of the body's inability to store these neuroteanssmitters.