PHARMACOGNOSY – THEORY

Course Code: ER20-13T                                                                             75 Hours (3 Hours/week)

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
Syllabus:

Chapter

Topic

Hours

Marks

1

Definition, history, present status and scope of Pharmacognosy.

2

4

2

Classification of drugs:

· Alphabetical.

· Taxonomical.

· Morphological.

· Pharmacological.

· Chemical.

· Chemo-taxonomical.

4

7

3

Quality control of crude drugs:

· Different methods of adulteration of crude drugs.

· Evaluation of crude drugs.

6

9

4

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

6

10

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, 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.

30

20

6

· Plant fibers used as surgical dressings: Cotton, silk, wool and regenerated fibers.

· Sutures: Surgical Catgut and Ligatures.

3

5

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

9

8

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

2

4

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.

4

6

10

Introduction to herbal formulations.

4

5

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.

4

5

12

Phytochemical investigation of drugs.

2

4
 

TOTAL

75

88