Pharmacognosy

 

PHARMACOGNOSY – THEORY

 

Course Code: ER20-13T

 

Scope: This course is designed to impart knowledge on the medicinal uses of various drugs of natural origin. Also, the course emphasizes the fundamental concepts in the evaluation of crude drugs, alternative systems of medicine, nutraceuticals, and herbal cosmetics.

 

Course Objectives: This course will discuss the following aspects of drug substances derived from natural resources.

1. Occurrence, distribution, isolation, identification tests of common phytoconstituents

2. Therapeutic activity and pharmaceutical applications of various natural drug substances and phytoconstituents

3. Biological source, chemical constituents of selected crude drugs and their therapeutic efficacy in common diseases and ailments

4. Basic concepts in quality control of crude drugs and various system of medicines

5. Applications of herbs in health foods and cosmetics

 

Course Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to

1. Identify the important/common crude drugs of natural origin

2. Describe the uses of herbs in nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals

3. Discuss the principles of alternative system of medicines

4. Describe the importance of quality control of drugs of natural origin

 

 

1.

Definition, history, present status and scope of Pharmacognosy

 

2.

Classification of drugs:

• Alphabetical

• Taxonomical

• Morphological

• Pharmacological

• Chemical

• Chemo-taxonomical

 

3.

Quality control of crude drugs:

• Different methods of adulteration of crude drugs

• Evaluation of crude drugs

 

4.

Brief outline of occurrence, distribution, isolation, identification tests, therapeutic activity and pharmaceutical applications of alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, volatile oils, tannins and resins.

 

5.

Biological source, chemical constituents and therapeutic efficacy of the following categories of crude drugs.

Laxatives: Aloe, Castor oil, Ispaghula, Senna

Cardiotonic: Digitalis, Arjuna

Carminatives and G.I. regulators: Coriander, Fennel, Cardamom, Ginger, Clove, Black Pepper, Asafoetida, Nutmeg, Cinnamon

Astringents: Myrobalan, Black Catechu, Pale Catechu

Drugs acting on nervous system: Hyoscyamus, Belladonna, Ephedra, Opium, Tea leaves, Coffee seeds, Coca

 Anti-hypertensive: Rauwolfia

 Anti-tussive: Vasaka, Tolu Balsam

 Anti-rheumatics: Colchicum seed

 Anti-tumour: Vinca, Podophyllum

 Antidiabetics: Pterocarpus, Gymnema

 Diuretics: Gokhru, Punarnava

 Anti-dysenteric: Ipecacuanha

 Antiseptics and disinfectants : Benzoin, Myrrh, Neem, Turmeric

 Antimalarials: Cinchona, Artemisia

 Oxytocic: Ergot

 Vitamins: Cod liver oil, Shark liver oil

 Enzymes: Papaya, Diastase, Pancreatin, Yeast

 Pharmaceutical Aids: Kaolin, Lanolin, Beeswax, Acacia, Tragacanth, Sodium alginate, Agar, Guar gum, Gelatine

 Miscellaneous: Squill, Galls, Ashwagandha, Tulsi, Guggul

 

6.

Plant fibres used as surgical dressings: Cotton, silk, wool and regenerated fibres

Sutures – Surgical Catgut and Ligatures

 

7.

• Basic principles involved in the traditional systems of medicine like: Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy

• Method of preparation of Ayurvedic formulations like:

Arista, Asava, Gutika, Taila, Churna, Lehya and Bhasma 8

 

8.

Role of medicinal and aromatic plants in national economy and their export potential

 

9.

Herbs as health food:

Brief introduction and therapeutic applications of: Nutraceuticals, Antioxidants, Pro-biotics, Pre-biotics, Dietary fibres, Omega-3-fatty acids, Spirulina, Carotenoids, Soya and Garlic

 

10. Introduction to herbal formulations 4

 

11. Herbal cosmetics:

Sources, chemical constituents, commercial preparations, therapeutic and cosmetic uses of: Aloe vera gel, Almond oil, Lavender oil, Olive oil, Rosemary oil, Sandal Wood oil

 

12. Phytochemical investigation of drugs