Crystallographic Study of Crude Drug Components. I

Identification of Santonin in Plants of Artemisia Species

Abstract

Crystallographic studies were made of pure santonin crystals to prepare its crystal system, facial indices and stereograph. The index of refraction, optic axial angle, sign of elongation and dispersion of optic axes were determined. These figures were compared with those of crystals obtained by microsublimation from Artemisia cina and A. monogyna Waldst. et Kit. in order to determine the presence of santonin. The same measurements were made of artemisin and temisin which are often present in crude drugs and have similar chemical structures to santonin, in order to facilitate observation.