Question

Reserpine, a drug used to reduce high blood pressure, is extracted from

• A. Brassica oleraceae
• B. Atropa belladonna
• C. Rauwolfia serpentina
• D. Digitalis purpurea

Hint:

Remember the important medicinal plants:
• Rauwolfia serpentina $\rightarrow$ Reserpine (Hypertension)
• Atropa belladonna $\rightarrow$ Atropine
• Digitalis purpurea $\rightarrow$ Digoxin, Digitoxin

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Reserpine is a naturally occurring alkaloid obtained from the medicinal plant Rauwolfia serpentina. It has been widely used as an antihypertensive drug because it lowers blood pressure by reducing the level of certain neurotransmitters in the nervous system.
• Rauwolfia serpentina belongs to the family Apocynaceae.
• It is commonly known as Indian snakeroot or Sarpagandha.
• The roots of the plant are rich in alkaloids such as reserpine, ajmaline and serpentine.
• Reserpine is used in the treatment of hypertension and certain psychiatric disorders.

Step 1: Identify the medicinal plant producing reserpine.
Among the given plants, only Rauwolfia serpentina naturally contains the alkaloid reserpine. \[ \boxed{\textit{Rauwolfia serpentina} \longrightarrow \text{Reserpine}} \]

Step 2: Eliminate the incorrect options.

• Brassica oleraceae is an important vegetable crop and does not produce reserpine.
• Atropa belladonna contains atropine and hyoscyamine.
• Digitalis purpurea produces cardiac glycosides such as digitoxin and digoxin. Thus, only Rauwolfia serpentina is the correct source of reserpine.

Step 3: Choose the correct option.
Therefore, \[ \boxed{Option (C) is the correct answer. \]