Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

BP205T:

Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry (Theory)

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this course are to:

1. Understand major metabolic pathways and the biogenetic origin of primary and secondary phytoconstituents, including the use of modern tools for pathway studies.

2. Study and interpret the pharmacognostic features of crude drugs containing primary metabolites such as carbohydrates, proteins/enzymes, and lipids.

3. Study and interpret the pharmacognostic features of crude drugs containing secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, resins, volatile oils, flavonoids, phenolics, and terpenoids.

4. Impart knowledge of conventional and modern extraction techniques and enable selection of appropriate extraction methods.

5. Develop competency in isolation, identification, characterization, and quality evaluation of medicinal plants and botanicals.

Course Outcomes (CO):

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

1. Describe biosynthetic pathways and genetic tools involved in phytoconstituent production.

2. Classify and explain drugs containing primary and secondary metabolites.

3. Apply traditional and modern extraction and isolation methods.

4. Explain qualitative and quantitative analysis of plant metabolites.

5. Evaluate identity, purity, and quality of herbal raw materials.

Detailed Syllabus:

Unit I

Metabolic Pathways and Biogenetic Studies –

Brief study of basic metabolic pathways and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites including:

 • Shikimic acid pathway

 • Acetate pathway

 • Amino acid pathways

Utilization of radioactive isotopes in biogenetic studies.

Introduction to pathway prediction tools and modern genetic tools such as CRISPR/Cas9. 

Unit II

Primary Metabolites –

General classification and identification tests

Pharmacognostic study (biological source, distribution, identifying characters, chemical constituents, specific tests, therapeutic uses, and commercial applications) of:

Carbohydrates:

 • Acacia,

 • Agar

 • Tragacanth

 • Honey

Proteins and Enzymes:

 • Gelatin

 • Casein

 • Proteolytic enzymes: Papain, Bromelain, Serratiopeptidase, Urokinase, Streptokinase, Pepsin

Lipids (Waxes, Fats, Fixed Oils):

 • Castor oil

 • Olive oil

 • Cocoa butter

 • Wool fat

 • Beeswax

Unit III

Secondary Metabolites –

General classification and identification tests

Pharmacognostic study (biological source, distribution, cultivation of underlined drugs, identifying characters, chemical constituents, specific tests, therapeutic uses, and commercial applications) of:

Alkaloids:

 • Vinca

 • Rauwolfia

 • Opium

Volatile Oils:

 • Lemongrass

 • Clove

 • Cinnamon

 • Fennel

Tannins:

 • Myrobalans

 • Catechu

 • Pomegranate

Resins:

 • Guggul

 • Asafoetida

Glycosides:

 • Senna

 • Liquorice

 • Digitalis

Phenylpropanoids and Flavonoids:

 • Green Tea

 • Ginkgo

 • Flax seed

Iridoids, Other Terpenoids and Naphthoquinones:

 • Gentian

 • Artemisia

Unit IV

Extraction Methods for Medicinal Plants – 

Conventional Methods of Extraction:

 • Infusion

 • Decoction

 • Digestion

 • Maceration

 • Percolation

 • Reflux

 • Distillation

 • Soxhlet extraction

 • Successive solvent extraction

Modern Methods of Extraction:

 • Supercritical fluid extraction

 • Microwave-assisted extraction

 • Ultrasonic-assisted extraction

 • Enzyme-assisted extraction

 • Pressurized liquid extraction12

Unit V

Overview of Isolation, Identification and Characterization Techniques–

Separation and Isolation Techniques:

 • Planar chromatography

 • Column chromatography

 • Preparative TLC

 • Flash chromatography

Identification Techniques:

 • Phytochemical tests

 • Chromatographic techniques

 • Spectroscopic techniques

Fingerprinting of medicinal plants using TLC/HPTLC.

Types and significance of markers (phytochemical reference standards).

Screening and analysis of major metabolites:

 • Alkaloids

 • Glycosides

 • Saponins

 • Tannins

 • Resins

 • Flavonoids

 • Phenolics

 • Steroids

Recommended References (Preferably latest editions):

1. Dewick, P.M., Medicinal Natural Products: A Biosynthetic Approach. John Wiley & Sons.

2. Evans, W.C., Trease and Evans’ Pharmacognosy. W.B. Saunders & Co., London.