FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS OF PHARMACOGNOSY SCIENCE

The content is structured to match the semester-wise syllabus, with Pharmacognosy & Phytochemistry-I falling under semester-IV. This subject comprises five sub-units:

Unit – I: Encompassing discussions on the history, scope, interconnections with related disciplines, and contemporary applications of Pharmacognosy. It delves into crude drug classifications, various sources, and emphasizes quality control techniques, including detection methods for adulterants through microscopic evaluation and camera lucida.

Unit − II: This unit provides a comprehensive exploration of cultivation, collection, processing, and storage of naturally derived drugs. It emphasizes Good Agricultural Practice, factors influencing cultivation, and the role of plant hormones. Additionally, it covers crop improvement techniques such as polyploidy, mutation, and hybridization, as well as the conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants.

Unit − III: Explores alternative cultivation methods through in-vitro techniques, specifically plant cell and tissue culture. It traces the historical development, types of cultures, nutritional requirements, growth, and maintenance under sterile laboratory conditions. The unit also touches upon applications of plant tissue culture in Pharmacognosy.

Unit − IV: Focuses on Pharmacognosy's role in allopathy and traditional medicinal systems like Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, and Chinese medicine. It elucidates the significance of plant secondary metabolites and methods for identifying alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, volatile oils, and resins.

Unit − V: Covers the study of biological sources, chemical nature, and uses of drugs derived from plant fibers and primary metabolites. Detailed discussions include their chemistry, sources, preparation, evaluation, therapeutic uses, and commercial utility as Pharmaceutical aids. Additionally, it delves into important drugs obtained from marine sources.

This book endeavors to offer contemporary knowledge in a systematic manner across all units. Your feedback and constructive criticism are invaluable and will be incorporated into future editions to rectify any shortcomings.

SYLLABUS

UNIT-I

Introduction to Pharmacognosy:

 (a) Definition, history, scope and development of Pharmacognosy

(b) Sources of Drugs – Plants, Animals, Marine & Tissue culture

(c) Organized drugs, unorganized drugs (dried latex, dried juices, dried extracts, gums and mucilage’s, oleoresins, and oleo- gum -resins).

Classification of drugs: Alphabetical, morphological, taxonomical, chemical, pharmacological, chemo and Sero taxonomical classification of drugs.

Quality control of Drugs of Natural Origin: Adulteration of drugs of natural origin. Evaluation by organoleptic, microscopic, physical, chemical and biological methods and properties.

Quantitative microscopy of crude drugs including lycopodium spore method, leaf constants, camera lucida and diagrams of microscopic objects to scale with camera lucida.

UNIT-II                                                                                                  

Cultivation, Collection, Processing and storage of drugs of natural origin:

Cultivation and Collection of drugs of natural origin Factors influencing cultivation of medicinal plants. Plant hormones and their applications. Polyploidy, mutation and hybridization with reference to medicinal plants.

Conservation of medicinal plants.

UNIT-III                                                                                                 

Plant tissue culture:

Historical development of plant tissue culture, types of cultures, Nutritional requirements, growth and their maintenance. Applications of plant tissue culture in pharmacognosy. Edible vaccines

UNIT IV

Pharmacognosy in various systems of medicine: Role of Pharmacognosy in allopathy and traditional systems of medicine namely, Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy and Chinese systems of medicine.

Introduction to secondary metabolites: Definition, classification, properties and test for identification of Alkaloids, Glycosides, Flavonoids, Tannins, Volatile oil and Resins

UNIT V

Study of biological source, chemical nature and uses of drugs of natural origin containing following drugs.

Plant Products: Fibress - Cotton, Jute, Hemp Hallucinogens, Teratogens, Natural allergens

Primary metabolites: General introduction, detailed study with respect to chemistry, sources, preparation, evaluation, preservation, storage, therapeutic used and commercial utility as Pharmaceutical Aids and/or Medicines for the following Primary metabolites:

Carbohydrates: Acacia, Agar, Tragacanth, Honey

Proteins and Enzymes: Gelatine, casein, proteolytic enzymes (Papain, bromelain, serratiopeptidase, urokinase, streptokinase, pepsin).

Lipids (Waxes, fats, fixed oils): Castor oil, Chaulmoogra oil, Wool Fat, Bees Wax

Marine Drugs: Novel medicinal agents from marine sources.