Course Contents

1. General Introduction and Scope of Pharmacognosy: Historical development and scope of Pharmacognosy. Terminology Used in Pharmacognosy. An introduction of traditional Medical systems (Unani, Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic systems of medicine) with special reference to medicinal plants. Introduction to herbal pharmacopoeias and modern concepts about Pharmacognosy. 2. Crude Drugs: Crude drugs, commerce, preparation, chemical and therapeutic classifications of crude drugs (official and un-official drugs). Methods of Cultivation, Drying, Storage, Preservation and Packing. 3. The study of the crude drugs belonging to various families of medicinal importance S. No. Families Crude Drugs a. Ranunculaceae Aconitum, Larkspur, Pulsatilla, Hydrastis b. Papaveraceae Papaver somniferum, Sanguinaria, Canadensis c. Leguminosae Acacia, Glycyrrhiza, Senna, Cassia, Tamarind d. Umbelliferae Fennel, Carum, Coriander, Conium, Asafoetida e. Apocynaceae Rauwolfia, Catharanthus f. Asclepiadaceae Gymnema sylvestre, Calotropis gigantean Compositae Artemisia, Silybum marianum, Echinaceae, g. Arctium lappa h. Solanaceae Belladonna, Hyoscyamus, Stramonium, Capsicum i. Scrophulariaceae Digitalis, Verbascum (Mullien). j. Labiatae Peppermint, Thyme, Spearmint, Salvia, Ocimum k. Liliaceae Garlic, Colchicum, Aloe l. Zingiberaceae Ginger, Curcuma 4. Evaluation and Adulteration of Crude Drug Evaluation of crude drugs i.e. Organoleptic, Microscopic, Physical, Chemical and Biological. Deterioration and Adulteration of crude drugs. Types of adulteration, inferiority, spoilage, admixture, sophistication and substitution of crude drugs. 5. Drugs of Animal Origin: General introduction and discussion about honey, gelatin, shellac, musk, civet, ambergris, cod liver oil, cantharides and spermaceti. 6. Biologics: Sources, structure, preparation, description and uses of vaccines, toxins, antitoxins, venoms, antivenoms, antiserums. 7. Surgical Dressings: Classification of fibers as vegetable, animals and synthetic fibers. Evaluation of fibers in surgical dressings, BPC standards for dressings and sutures. Discussion on cotton, wool, cellulose, rayon, catgut and nylon 73 8. Pesticides: Introduction, methods and control of pests with special reference to pyrethrum, tobacco, and other natural pesticides. 9. Growth Regulators: General account with special reference to plant hormones; Auxins, Gibberellins Abscisic acid and Cytokinins. 10. Poisonous Plants including Allergens and Allergenic Preparations: General introduction, case history, skin test, treatment of allergy, inhalant, ingestant, injectant, contactant, infectant and infestant allergens. Mechanism of allergy. 11. Enzymes: Enzymes obtained from plant source (Phytoenzymes). Papain Bromelain and Malt Extract. Enzymes obtained from Animal source. Rennin, pepsin, Pancreatin and Pancrealipase.