PHARMACOGNOSY – PRACTICAL

Course Code: ER20-13P

75 Hours (3 Hours/week)

Scope: This course is designed to train the students in physical identification, morphological characterization, physical and chemical characterization, and evaluation of commonly used herbal drugs.

Course Objectives: This course will provide hands-on experiences to the students in

  1. Identification of the crude drugs based on their morphological characteristics

  2. Various characteristic anatomical characteristics of the herbal drugs studied through transverse section

  3. Physical and chemical tests to evaluate the crude drugs

Course Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to

  1. Identify the given crude drugs based on the morphological characteristics

  2. Take a transverse section of the given crude drugs

  3. Describe the anatomical characteristics of the given crude drug under microscopical conditions

  4. Carry out the physical and chemical tests to evaluate the given crude drugs


Practicals

  1. Morphological Identification of the following drugs:

Ispaghula, Senna, Coriander, Fennel, Cardamom, Ginger, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Clove, Ephedra, Rauwolfia, Gokhru, Punarnava, Cinchona, Agar.

  1. Gross anatomical studies (Transverse Section) of the following drugs:

Ajwain, Datura, Cinnamon, Cinchona, Coriander, Ashwagandha, Liquorice, Clove, Curcuma, Nux vomica, Vasaka

  1. Physical and chemical tests for evaluation of any FIVE of the following drugs:

Asafoetida, Benzoin, Pale catechu, Black catechu, Castor oil, Acacia, Tragacanth, Agar, Guar gum, Gelatine.


Assignments

The students shall be asked to submit the written assignments on the following topics (One assignment per student per sessional period. i.e., a minimum of THREE assignments per student)

  1. Market preparations of various dosage forms of Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathic (Classical and Proprietary), indications, and their labelling requirements

  2. Market preparations of various herbal formulations and herbal cosmetics, indications, and their labelling requirements

  3. Herb-Drug interactions documented in the literature and their clinical significance

Field Visit

The students shall be taken in groups to a medicinal garden to witness and understand the nature of various medicinal plants discussed in theory and practical courses. Additionally, they shall be taken in groups to the pharmacies of traditional systems of medicines to understand the availability of various dosage forms and their labelling requirements. Individual reports from each student on their learning experience from the field visit shall be submitted.