About Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry I
Subject Code
BP405T
Semester
Semester 4
Credits
4 Credits
Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry I (BP405T) introduces you to the study of drugs derived from natural sources. It covers the history, classification, and quality control of natural drugs, the cultivation of medicinal plants, plant tissue culture, and a detailed study of primary metabolites like carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.
Key Learning Objectives
- Understand the Basics: Learn the history, scope, and classification of pharmacognosy.
- Master Quality Control: Understand the evaluation and detection of adulteration in natural drugs.
- Study Plant Cultivation: Explore the factors affecting cultivation, collection, and conservation of medicinal plants.
- Learn Tissue Culture: Grasp the principles and applications of plant tissue culture.
- Explore Primary Metabolites: Study the sources, chemistry, and uses of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.
Syllabus & Topics Covered
Unit 1: Introduction, Classification, and Quality Control
- History, Scope, and Development of Pharmacognosy
- Sources and Classification (Alphabetical, Taxonomical, Chemical, etc.) of Drugs
- Quality Control: Adulteration, Evaluation (Organoleptic, Microscopic, Physical, Chemical, Biological)
- Quantitative microscopy (Lycopodium spore method, leaf constants)
Unit 2: Cultivation, Collection, and Conservation
- Factors Influencing Cultivation of Medicinal Plants
- Plant Hormones and Their Applications
- Polyploidy, Mutation, and Hybridization
- Conservation of Medicinal Plants
Unit 3: Plant Tissue Culture
- Historical development and types of plant tissue cultures
- Nutritional requirements, growth, and their maintenance
- Applications of plant tissue culture in pharmacognosy
- Edible vaccines
Unit 4: Systems of Medicine & Secondary Metabolites
- Role of Pharmacognosy in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Chinese systems
- Introduction to Secondary Metabolites (Definition, classification, properties)
- Tests for identification of Alkaloids, Glycosides, Flavonoids, Tannins, Volatile oils, Resins
Unit 5: Study of Primary Metabolites & Marine Drugs
- Fibers, Hallucinogens, Teratogens, Natural allergens
- Carbohydrates: Acacia, Agar, Tragacanth, Honey
- Proteins & Enzymes: Gelatin, casein, Papain, bromelain
- Lipids: Castor oil, Chaulmoogra oil, Bees Wax; Marine Drugs
How to Score High in Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry I
- 1
Make Summary Tables: Create a comprehensive table containing the biological source, family, chemical constituents, and uses of every drug in Unit 5.
- 2
Draw Microscopy Diagrams: Practice drawing microscopic T.S. of important drugs and quantitative microscopy diagrams (Unit 1).
- 3
Learn the Tests: The identifying chemical tests for secondary metabolites (Unit 4) are vital for practicals and theory.
- 4
Understand the Terminology: Terms like ‘Adulteration’, ‘Evaluation’, and ‘Polyploidy’ have specific definitions. Learn them exactly as given in standard texts.
Why it Matters for Career
Pharmacognosy is the basis of herbal and traditional medicine. In the industry, phytochemistry is crucial for extracting active compounds from plants, quality control of herbal formulations, and discovering novel drug leads from nature.
Exam Weightage
Unit 1 (Evaluation and Adulteration) and Unit 5 (Pharmacognostic study of specific drugs) carry significant weightage. Detailed monographs of specific drugs are standard long-answer questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Lycopodium spore method?
It is an analytical method used in quantitative microscopy to determine the percentage purity of powdered crude drugs.
How do I remember biological sources?
Break them down. Genus, species, and family. Say them out loud (e.g., Acacia senegal, Leguminosae) and group them by functional categories.
What are secondary metabolites?
Compounds not essential for the basic survival of the plant, but which serve ecological functions (like defense) and often possess therapeutic value (e.g., Alkaloids).