Digestants and carminatives MCQs With Answer

Digestants and carminatives MCQs With Answer

This concise, keyword-rich introduction covers digestants and carminatives for B. Pharm students, emphasizing mechanisms, pharmacology, formulation, and quality control. Digestants (enzymes such as pancreatin, pepsin, papain, bromelain) aid macronutrient breakdown, while carminatives (essential oils like peppermint, fennel, caraway, ginger) reduce intestinal gas by antifoaming and antispasmodic actions. Important topics include pH stability, enteric coating, enzyme assay units, volatile oil standardization, dosage forms, drug–herb interactions, contraindications (e.g., GERD, enzyme allergies), and formulation challenges. This introduction prepares you for applied questions on pharmacognosy, pharmaceutics, and therapeutics relevant to these agents. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which of the following best describes the primary action of pancreatin used as a digestant?

• A single proteolytic enzyme that acts in acidic media
• A mixture of amylase, lipase and proteases active mainly in the small intestine
• An essential oil preparation that reduces gas by antifoaming
• A synthetic surfactant that breaks gas bubbles in the stomach

Correct Answer: A mixture of amylase, lipase and proteases active mainly in the small intestine

Q2. Which property explains why pancreatin formulations are often enteric-coated?

• To enhance absorption in the stomach
• To protect enzymes from acid inactivation in the stomach
• To increase volatile oil content for carminative action
• To reduce systemic toxicity of proteolytic enzymes

Correct Answer: To protect enzymes from acid inactivation in the stomach

Q3. Simethicone is classified as which type of agent in management of flatulence?

• Proteolytic digestant enzyme
• Antifoaming (physicochemical) agent
• Essential oil carminative
• Gastric acid stimulant

Correct Answer: Antifoaming (physicochemical) agent

Q4. Which plant-derived carminative contains carvone as a major constituent?

• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
• Caraway (Carum carvi)
• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Correct Answer: Caraway (Carum carvi)

Q5. Which digestant enzyme is active at low pH and secreted by the stomach?

• Pepsin
• Pancreatic lipase
• Amylase from saliva
• Papain

Correct Answer: Pepsin

Q6. Papain and bromelain share which common pharmacological property?

• Both are essential oils used as carminatives
• Both are proteolytic enzymes derived from plants
• Both are antifoaming synthetic agents
• Both are contraindicated in all pediatric patients

Correct Answer: Both are proteolytic enzymes derived from plants

Q7. Which of the following is a major mechanism by which herbal carminatives reduce flatulence?

• Increasing gastric acid secretion to digest gas
• Reducing surface tension of gas bubbles and relaxing intestinal smooth muscle
• Directly inhibiting pancreatic enzyme activity
• Acting as systemic diuretics to remove gas

Correct Answer: Reducing surface tension of gas bubbles and relaxing intestinal smooth muscle

Q8. Which analytical parameter is most relevant for standardization of essential-oil carminative preparations?

• Enzyme activity units (USP)
• Volatile oil percentage and marker compound assay
• pH of the aqueous extract only
• Heavy metal content exclusively

Correct Answer: Volatile oil percentage and marker compound assay

Q9. Peppermint oil may worsen which condition due to relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter?

• Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Pancreatitis
• Duodenal ulcer healing

Correct Answer: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Q10. Which statement about enzyme digestants and heat is correct?

• Proteolytic enzymes like papain and bromelain are heat-stable and unaffected by processing
• Proteolytic enzymes are heat-labile and may be inactivated by high-temperature processing
• All digestive enzymes are activated by heat to increase potency
• Simethicone activity is reduced by heat because it denatures proteins

Correct Answer: Proteolytic enzymes are heat-labile and may be inactivated by high-temperature processing

Q11. Which enzyme preparation is most suitable for treating exocrine pancreatic insufficiency?

• Pepsin tablets
• Enteric-coated pancrelipase containing lipase, protease and amylase
• Papain syrup
• Simethicone drops

Correct Answer: Enteric-coated pancrelipase containing lipase, protease and amylase

Q12. What is the principal active component of fennel oil responsible for carminative effects?

• Anethole
• Menthol
• Carvone
• Zingerone

Correct Answer: Anethole

Q13. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with systemic absorption of proteolytic plant enzymes?

• Allergic reactions and potential hypersensitivity
• Severe hypertension
• Permanent CNS depression
• Renal tubular necrosis in all patients

Correct Answer: Allergic reactions and potential hypersensitivity

Q14. In formulation of carminative syrups, which excipient requirement is most critical for preserving volatile oils?

• Use of strong oxidizing preservatives
• Minimizing exposure to light and high temperature, and selecting appropriate antioxidants
• High pH buffering to alkaline values
• Adding proteolytic enzymes to stabilize oils

Correct Answer: Minimizing exposure to light and high temperature, and selecting appropriate antioxidants

Q15. Which of the following is a correct drug–herb interaction relevant to carminatives or digestants?

• Peppermint oil increases gastric pH and reduces absorption of antacids
• Peppermint oil can reduce absorption of drugs relying on lower esophageal sphincter tone
• Enteric-coated pancreatin increases the anticoagulant effect of warfarin directly
• Ginger significantly inactivates oral antibiotics by enzyme inhibition

Correct Answer: Peppermint oil can reduce absorption of drugs relying on lower esophageal sphincter tone

Q16. Which assay is commonly used to quantify proteolytic activity in enzyme digestant preparations?

• Gas chromatography of volatile oils
• Protease activity measured as USP units using casein substrate
• pH titration to endpoint only
• UV absorbance at 600 nm for particulate count

Correct Answer: Protease activity measured as USP units using casein substrate

Q17. Which carminative is most likely to exhibit antispasmodic activity via calcium channel blocking in gut smooth muscle?

• Simethicone
• Peppermint oil (menthol-containing)
• Pancreatin
• Enteric-coated pepsin

Correct Answer: Peppermint oil (menthol-containing)

Q18. Which statement about simethicone dosing and mechanism is correct?

• Simethicone is absorbed systemically and acts centrally to reduce bloating
• Simethicone acts locally in the GI tract as an antifoaming agent and is not systemically absorbed
• Simethicone is an enzyme that digests proteins to reduce gas
• Simethicone increases gas production by fermenting carbohydrates

Correct Answer: Simethicone acts locally in the GI tract as an antifoaming agent and is not systemically absorbed

Q19. Which carminative herb is contraindicated or used with caution in pregnancy due to uterotonic effects?

• Fennel
• Peppermint
• Simethicone
• Pancreatin

Correct Answer: Fennel

Q20. Which quality-control parameter is essential for pancreatin preparations?

• Percentage of volatile oil and refractive index
• Enzyme activity specification for protease, amylase and lipase
• Total ash only
• Foam test for surfactant strength

Correct Answer: Enzyme activity specification for protease, amylase and lipase

Q21. Which digestive enzyme is commonly used as a meat tenderizer and has clinical use as a digestant?

• Bromelain
• Simethicone
• Menthol
• Calcium carbonate

Correct Answer: Bromelain

Q22. Which of the following is the most appropriate formulation type to deliver volatile oil carminatives for rapid onset?

• Enteric-coated hard gelatin capsules containing volatile oil
• Extemporaneous oral solution with volatile oil in aqueous buffer without solubilizer
• Inhalation tablets for systemic delivery
• Suppositories containing proteolytic enzymes only

Correct Answer: Enteric-coated hard gelatin capsules containing volatile oil

Q23. Which laboratory method is used to characterize volatile oil components of carminative herbs?

• High-performance liquid chromatography of proteins
• Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for lipase
• Polarimetry for sugar content

Correct Answer: Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

Q24. Which enzyme digestant would be least effective if administered without protection through gastric acid?

• Pepsin (active in acidic stomach)
• Pancreatic lipase in non-enteric capsule
• Simethicone oral drops
• Peppermint oil capsules

Correct Answer: Pancreatic lipase in non-enteric capsule

Q25. Which carminative is most associated with the constituent menthol?

• Ginger
• Peppermint
• Caraway
• Fennel

Correct Answer: Peppermint

Q26. Which therapeutic advantage does enteric-coated pancreatin offer over uncoated pancreatin?

• Faster dissolution in the stomach for immediate proteolysis
• Protection from gastric acidity and release in the small intestine where enzymes act
• Greater systemic absorption and enzyme bioavailability
• Reduction in volatile oil loss during storage

Correct Answer: Protection from gastric acidity and release in the small intestine where enzymes act

Q27. Which laboratory parameter would indicate degradation of essential oil in a carminative formulation?

• Increase in specified marker compound by GC-MS
• Decrease in volatile oil content and change in GC profile
• Higher protease activity in USP units
• Lower viscosity of an enteric coating polymer

Correct Answer: Decrease in volatile oil content and change in GC profile

Q28. Which of the following is an important contraindication or precaution for oral proteolytic enzymes?

• Avoid use in patients with active peptic ulcer due to potential mucosal irritation
• They must always be given with antibiotics to be effective
• They universally enhance birth control efficacy
• They are safe in all patients with severe renal failure without dose adjustment

Correct Answer: Avoid use in patients with active peptic ulcer due to potential mucosal irritation

Q29. Which excipient helps disperse volatile oil uniformly in an aqueous carminative syrup?

• Hydrophilic surfactant or emulsifier such as polysorbate 80
• Strong acid to hydrolyze the oil
• Proteolytic enzyme to reduce oil viscosity
• Simethicone to chemically react with oil

Correct Answer: Hydrophilic surfactant or emulsifier such as polysorbate 80

Q30. From a pharmacognosy perspective, which test helps confirm identity of peppermint leaf used for carminative preparations?

• Determination of lipase activity
• Microscopic examination showing glandular trichomes and volatile oil glands
• Assay for simethicone content
• Measurement of enteric coating thickness

Correct Answer: Microscopic examination showing glandular trichomes and volatile oil glands

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