Diploma in Pharmacy 1st Year Pharmacognosy Notes

10 Questions

What has contributed to the advancements in pharmacognosy in the 20th century?

Rapid development in chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacology

Why have microorganisms become essential sources of drugs in the 20th century?

Because of their high effectiveness in drug development

What is one of the scopes of pharmacognosy in the 21st century?

Applying chemistry and genetics to produce new plant and herb varieties

Why has the demand for pharmaceutical production of plant origin increased?

As a result of the worldwide use of synthetic drugs and antibiotics

Why are plants often referred to as a chemical laboratory in pharmacognosy?

Because they can produce biologically active secondary metabolites

What is emphasized by WHO regarding the utilization of indigenous systems of medicine?

Utilization of medicinal plants as raw materials

Why have herbal medicines gained popularity in recent years?

As they do not have toxic or side effects

What aspect has played an important role in developing different disciplines of science?

Pharmacognosy as an applied science

What has the rapid development in chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacology further supported?

Advancements in pharmacognosy.

What has been emphasized by WHO regarding the utilization of medicinal plants for indigenous systems of medicine?

Utilization of medicinal plants as raw materials.

Study Notes

Introduction to Pharmacognosy

Pharmacognosy is a branch of bioscience that deals with medicinal and related products derived from plants, animals, and minerals.
It is also defined as the study of drugs obtained from natural origins.
The term "pharmacognosy" is derived from the Greek words "pharmakon" (a drug) and "gnosis" (to acquire knowledge).

Scope of Pharmacognosy

In the 20th century, important drugs were discovered from the animal kingdom, and microorganisms became essential sources of drugs.
In the 21st century, chemistry and genetics were applied to plants to produce new plant and herb varieties.
The scope of pharmacognosy has increased with the introduction of new branches, including synthesis of drugs and antibiotics, indigenous systems of medicine, and herbal medicine.

Branches of Pharmacognosy

Medical ethnobotany: studies the traditional use of plants for medicinal purposes.
Ethnopharmacology: studies the pharmacological properties of traditional medicinal substances.
Phytotherapy: studies the medicinal use of plant extracts.
Phytochemistry: studies the chemicals obtained from plants, including the identification of new drugs of plant origin.
Zoopharmacognosy: studies the process of self-medication by animals using plants, soil, and insects.
Pharmacognosy-biotechnology: studies the synthesis of natural bioactive molecules using biotechnology.
Herbal interaction: studies the interaction between herbs and other drugs and the body.
Marine pharmacognosy: studies the chemicals obtained from marine organisms.

History of Pharmacognosy

The Greek physician Hippocrates (460 BC – 360 BC) is known as the "Father of Medicine".
Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC) is renowned for his studies on the animal kingdom.
Theophrastus (370 BC – 287 BC) is known for his studies on the plant kingdom.
Greek pharmacist Galen (131 BC – 200 AD) described various methods of preparation containing active constituents of crude drugs.

Present Status of Pharmacognosy

There is a growing realization that the use of natural occurring drugs is not only economical but also safer.
Active constituents from naturally occurring drugs have led to rapid development in pharmacognosy and phytochemistry.