Resins – Guggul MCQs With Answer

Resins – Guggul MCQs With Answer

Resins – Guggul is a valuable gum resin from Commiphora mukul studied in pharmacognosy and phytopharmaceutical sciences. Guggul contains bioactive steroidal compounds called guggulsterones (E and Z) with reported lipid‑lowering, anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant activities. B. Pharm students should master botanical source, extraction methods, physicochemical properties, analytical techniques (TLC, HPLC), standardization parameters, formulation aspects, therapeutic uses, toxicity and potential drug interactions. Understanding quality control, assay methods and evidence from clinical studies links bench analysis to clinical application and safety. This concise, keyword‑rich overview prepares you for focused examination practice. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which botanical source yields guggul resin?

• Commiphora mukul
• Boswellia serrata
• Glycyrrhiza glabra
• Terminalia chebula

Correct Answer: Commiphora mukul

Q2. To which plant family does Commiphora mukul belong?

• Rutaceae
• Burseraceae
• Fabaceae
• Apocynaceae

Correct Answer: Burseraceae

Q3. What are the principal bioactive constituents of guggul responsible for its pharmacological effects?

• Guggulsterones (E and Z)
• Boswellic acids
• Glycyrrhizin
• Ellagic acids

Correct Answer: Guggulsterones (E and Z)

Q4. Guggul resin is best classified pharmaceutically as which type of natural product?

• Gum resin (oleo-gum-resin)
• Essential oil
• Alkaloid extract
• Tannin-rich extract

Correct Answer: Gum resin (oleo-gum-resin)

Q5. Which therapeutic activity has been most widely studied for guggul in clinical research?

• Lipid‑lowering (hypolipidemic) activity
• Antibiotic activity
• Anticoagulant activity
• Hypoglycemic activity

Correct Answer: Lipid‑lowering (hypolipidemic) activity

Q6. Guggulsterones are reported to act on which nuclear receptor implicated in cholesterol metabolism?

• Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) antagonist
• Glucocorticoid receptor agonist
• Estrogen receptor agonist
• Thyroid hormone receptor agonist

Correct Answer: Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) antagonist

Q7. The guggulsterones occur as which stereoisomeric forms?

• Z‑ and E‑guggulsterone isomers
• R‑ and S‑guggulsterone enantiomers
• Cis‑ and trans‑boswellic acids
• Alpha and beta glycosides

Correct Answer: Z‑ and E‑guggulsterone isomers

Q8. Which marker compound is commonly used for standardization of guggul preparations?

• Guggulsterone content (total guggulsterones)
• Ascorbic acid level
• Essential oil percentage
• Alkaloid index

Correct Answer: Guggulsterone content (total guggulsterones)

Q9. Which solvent is commonly used for extraction of guggul resin in analytical and preparative work?

• Ethanol (hydroalcoholic extraction)
• Distilled water only
• Ether only
• Salt solution

Correct Answer: Ethanol (hydroalcoholic extraction)

Q10. Which TLC spray reagent is often used to visualize steroidal compounds like guggulsterones?

• Vanillin‑sulfuric acid reagent
• Ninhydrin reagent
• Dragendorff’s reagent
• Folin‑Ciocalteu reagent

Correct Answer: Vanillin‑sulfuric acid reagent

Q11. Which chromatographic technique is preferred for quantitative estimation of guggulsterones?

• High‑performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
• Paper chromatography
• Gas chromatography of untreated resin
• Gel permeation chromatography only

Correct Answer: High‑performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Q12. The most commonly reported adverse effects of guggul in humans include which of the following?

• Gastrointestinal disturbances (e.g., nausea, diarrhea)
• Severe renal failure
• Acute pancreatitis in all users
• Immediate paralysis

Correct Answer: Gastrointestinal disturbances (e.g., nausea, diarrhea)

Q13. Use of guggul is generally cautioned or contraindicated in which population?

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Healthy young adults
• People without allergies
• Patients taking vitamin C

Correct Answer: Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Q14. Guggul may interact with other drugs by modulating which metabolic system?

• Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450)
• Renal tubular secretion only
• Cholinesterase activity
• Monoamine oxidase only

Correct Answer: Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450)

Q15. Which pharmacopeial quality control tests are relevant for guggul gum resin?

• Total ash, acid‑insoluble ash and extractive values
• pH only
• Arsenic assay only
• Microbial count only

Correct Answer: Total ash, acid‑insoluble ash and extractive values

Q16. The percentage of gum resin obtained from Commiphora mukul bark expressed on a dry weight basis is termed:

• Resin yield (% w/w)
• Moisture content (%)
• Alkaloid index
• Essential oil yield (%)

Correct Answer: Resin yield (% w/w)

Q17. Which analytical method is most suitable to separate and resolve E and Z guggulsterone isomers?

• Reverse‑phase HPLC with suitable mobile phase
• Simple distillation
• Paper electrophoresis
• Colorimetric assay with iodine

Correct Answer: Reverse‑phase HPLC with suitable mobile phase

Q18. Antagonism of FXR by guggulsterones may lead to which downstream effect relevant to lipid metabolism?

• Increased conversion of cholesterol to bile acids and altered LDL handling
• Complete inhibition of bile acid synthesis
• Direct binding and inactivation of LDL particles
• Irreversible inhibition of HMG‑CoA reductase

Correct Answer: Increased conversion of cholesterol to bile acids and altered LDL handling

Q19. Guggul resin exhibits greatest solubility in which medium for analytical handling?

• Organic solvents like ethanol or methanol
• Cold water
• Physiological saline
• Glycerin only

Correct Answer: Organic solvents like ethanol or methanol

Q20. Which factor most commonly affects the stability and possible isomerization of guggulsterones during processing?

• Exposure to heat and light
• Storage in a cold, dark container
• Presence of excess water only
• Addition of sugars

Correct Answer: Exposure to heat and light

Q21. Beyond lipid lowering, which pharmacological property of guggul has supportive preclinical evidence?

• Anti‑inflammatory activity
• Strong antibacterial potency against MRSA as first‑line therapy
• Immediate hypoglycemic collapse
• Universal immunosuppression

Correct Answer: Anti‑inflammatory activity

Q22. Which experimental measure is commonly used to evaluate acute toxicity of a guggul extract in animals?

• Determination of LD50
• Chronic exposure index
• Determination of MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration)
• Franz diffusion test

Correct Answer: Determination of LD50

Q23. What is the traditional Ayurvedic name of Commiphora mukul resin?

• Guggulu (Guggul)
• Shilajit
• Triphala
• Guduchi

Correct Answer: Guggulu (Guggul)

Q24. How is guggul gum resin typically harvested from the plant?

• Tapping incisions on the trunk to collect exuded resin
• Harvesting leaves only
• Collecting root exudate after boiling
• Extracting from seeds by cold press

Correct Answer: Tapping incisions on the trunk to collect exuded resin

Q25. Guggulsterones chemically belong to which phytochemical class?

• Steroidal ketones (steroidal derivatives)
• Flavonoids
• Alkaloids
• Polysaccharides

Correct Answer: Steroidal ketones (steroidal derivatives)

Q26. A simple preliminary identification test for guggul resin in the lab would show which characteristic on heating?

• Softening and emission of a characteristic resinous odor
• Immediate charring into ash without odor
• Production of blue flame only
• Vigorous effervescence like carbonate

Correct Answer: Softening and emission of a characteristic resinous odor

Q27. Which approach is most reliable to detect adulteration of commercial guggul resin?

• Comparative TLC/HPLC profile against a reference standard
• Smell‑only organoleptic test
• Counting number of visible particles by eye
• Measuring pH of an aqueous suspension

Correct Answer: Comparative TLC/HPLC profile against a reference standard

Q28. Guggul (Commiphora mukul) monograph is included in which national pharmacopeia commonly used in B. Pharm curricula in India?

• Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP)
• United States Pharmacopeia (USP) only
• European Pharmacopoeia (EP) only
• Japanese Pharmacopoeia only

Correct Answer: Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP)

Q29. Which dosage forms are commonly formulated using standardized guggul extracts in modern phytopharmaceutical practice?

• Tablets and capsules containing standardized extracts
• Intravenous sterile injections only
• Transdermal patches containing crude resin exclusively
• Inhalable aerosols only

Correct Answer: Tablets and capsules containing standardized extracts

Q30. What is the overall conclusion from clinical studies regarding guggul’s efficacy in treating hyperlipidemia?

• Evidence is mixed or inconclusive, showing modest or variable lipid reduction
• Uniformly proven to be superior to statins in all trials
• Proven to cause severe hyperlipidemia in all patients
• No studies have ever evaluated guggul for lipid effects

Correct Answer: Evidence is mixed or inconclusive, showing modest or variable lipid reduction

G S Sachin

I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.

Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com