INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOGNOSY BY: Dr. NAMRATA SINGH M.Pharm, MBA, Ph.D.

What is Pharmacognosy the study of Physical, Chemical, Biochemical and Biological properties of drugs or substances from natural origin. Introduction to pharmacognosy According to the American Society of Pharmacognosy- Pharmacognosy is the study of physical, chemical, biochemical & biological properties of drugs, drug substances or potential drugs or drug substances of natural origin as well as the search for new drugs from natural sources. In other words, it may be said that Pharmacognosy is an important branch pharmacy, which deals with the scientific study of the structural, physical, chemical, biochemical and sensory characteristics of crude drugs and related substances of plant, animal and mineral origin.

It also includes a study of their history, distribution, cultivation, collection, identification, preparation, evaluation, preservation, use and commerce. Pharmacognosy is one of the main disciplines in pharmacy Others include: Pharm. Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Clinical and Social pharmacy.

The term 'pharmacognosy' was first coined and used by C.A. Seydler in 1815 in a small book he wrote on crude drugs, entitled "Analecta Pharmacognostica". It was derived from two Greek words: pharmakon, which means 'a drug', and gnosis, which means knowledge of, or gignosco, which means 'to acquire knowledge of’. Thus the literal meaning of pharmacognosy is: knowledge of drugs, or to acquire knowledge of drugs. Thus Pharmacognosy may be defined as the objective study of crude drugs and related substances of natural origin to acquire knowledge about their nature and properties. It may also be defined as an applied science which is concerned with acquiring knowledge of all aspects of crude drugs and other natural substances of pharmaceutical importance by the application of various scientific disciplines.

Pharmacognosy is an applied science which is concerned with acquir ing knowledge of crude drugs by the application of various scientific disciplines. Pharmacognosy deals with NATURAL products and is described as: the study of medicinal or therapeutic agents of natural origin, i.e. Plants Animals Mineral sources. It also includes the study of their history, distribution, cultivation, collection, preparation, identification, evaluation, preservation & commerce.

Origins and history of Pharmacognosy Pharmacognosy is regarded as the mother of all sciences. History of Pharmacognosy represents the history of pharmacy and medicine. Pharmacognosy had its origin in the health related activities of the most primitive human race of the remote past. The early man sought to alleviate his sufferings of illness and injuries by using plants. Studies of the use of medicinal plants is pre-historic Discovery of the medicinal properties of plants and other natural products started in the very early days of man’s existence.

History of natural products in medicine Records of medicinal properties of plants dates back to creationEzekiel 47:12 Earliest known medical document is a 4000-year-old Sumerian clay tablet that recorded plant remedies for various illnesses (6th-2nd millennium B.C.) Papyrus Ebers from Egypt (1550 B.C.) Egyptians (Ebers papyrus, 1550 BC) Other documented history is that of the use of Chaulmoogra oil form spp of Hydnocarpus, which was known to be effective in the treatment of leprosy. Recorded in the pharmacopoeia of the Emperor Shen Nung of China between 2730 B.C. and 3000B.CBiblical references.

Authors of antiquity Hippocrates ( BC) “The Father of Medicine”(400 herbal remedies) Theophrastus ( B.C.) Historia Plantarum Pedanius Dioscorides (40-80 AD) “De Materia Medica” (600 medicinal plants) Galen ( A.D.) Introduced dosage forms and standardised dosages. Dale’s Pharmacologia separated Therapy from Preparation of drugs. Which led to founding of Medicine and Pharmacy as two separate professions.

Pharmacognosy This term was introduced by C.A. Seydler, a German medical student in Pharmakon- drug/medicine. gnosis- knowledge gignosis- to acquire knowledge. Pharmacognosy therefore means knowledge of drugs. Alexander Tschirch ( ), regarded as one of the founders of Modern Pharmacognosy. Defined Pharmacognosy as the science whose object is to study scientifically drugs of plant and animal origin from every view point with the exception of their physiological action.

Terminologies Preparations Decoction: A tea made from boiling plant material, usually the bark, rhizome, roots in water. Infusion: A tea made by pouring water over plant material (usually dried flowers and leaves, though fresh material may also be used), then allowed to steep. The water is usually boiling, but cold infusions are also an option. Tincture: An extract of a plant made by soaking herbs in a dark place with a desired amount of either alcohol or vinegar for a period of time. The liquid is strained from the plant material and then used the rapeutically.

Poultice: A therapeutic topical application of a soft moist mass of plant material (such as bruised fresh herbs) on the skin. Medicinal plant: Any plant which in whole or part contains substances that can be used for therapeutic purposes or which are precursors for the synthesis of useful drugs. Herbal medicine: The study or use of medicinal plants to prevent and treat diseases and ailments or to promote health and healing OR A drug or preparation made from a plant or plants and used for any of such purposes.

Medical terminologies Abortifacient- Inducing abortion. Adjuvant- aiding the action of a medicinal. agentAnalgesic- relieve pain. Anesthetic- induces loss of sensation or consciousness due to the depression of nerve function. Antifungal- destroying or inhibiting the growth of fungus. Antihemorrhagic- controlling hemorrhaging or bleeding. Aperient- a very mild laxative.

Aperitive- stimulating the appetite for food Aphrodisiac- substance increasing the capacity for sexual arousal. Astringent- substance is a chemical compound that tends to shrink or constrict body tissues, usually locally after topical medicinal application. Antipruritic- preventing or relieving itching. Antipyretic- agent that reduces fever. Antispasmodic- calming nervous and muscular spasms or convulsions. Antitussive- controlling or preventing cough