Unit II Pharmacognosy (DP-103) PDF Notes - Free Download
Download the comprehensive Unit II Pharmacognosy (DP-103) PDF notes, covering essential aspects of natural drug sources. This resource delves into the classification, identification, cultivation, and chemical constituents of various medicinal plants and crude drugs, vital for pharmacy students. Available for free download or online viewing on Sildes By DuloMix.
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Unit II Pharmacognosy (DP-103): Exploring the World of Natural Drugs
Pharmacognosy is the study of medicines derived from natural sources, primarily plants, but also fungi, microbes, and marine organisms. It integrates botany, chemistry, pharmacology, and traditional medicine to explore crude drugs and their bioactive constituents. Unit II of Pharmacognosy (often designated as DP-103 in diploma/undergraduate pharmacy curricula) typically delves into specific categories of crude drugs, focusing on their sources, geographical distribution, cultivation, collection, chemical constituents, identification tests, therapeutic uses, and sometimes their adulterants.
Key Areas Covered in Unit II Pharmacognosy
While the exact content can vary slightly between syllabi, Unit II commonly focuses on various classes of natural products, often grouped by their chemical nature or therapeutic applications. These usually include:
1. Carbohydrates and Gums
This section explores various plant-derived carbohydrates, including monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides, as well as gums and mucilages.
- Sources: Examples include Acacia (gum arabic), Tragacanth, Guar Gum, Agar, Alginates, Pectin.
- Chemical Constituents: Polysaccharides like arabinogalactans, glucomannans.
- Identification: Solubility tests, swelling index, specific color reactions.
- Uses: Emulsifying agents, suspending agents, bulk laxatives, gelling agents, binders in tablets, demulcents.
2. Glycosides
Glycosides are compounds that, upon hydrolysis, yield a sugar (glycone) and a non-sugar component (aglycone or genin). They are important for their diverse pharmacological activities.
- Cardiac Glycosides: E.g., Digitalis (Digoxin, Digitoxin), Strophanthus.
- Constituents: Cardenolides (e.g., digitoxigenin).
- Uses: Congestive heart failure (positive inotropic effect).
- Tests: Keller-Kiliani test, Legal's test.
- Anthraquinone Glycosides: E.g., Senna, Rhubarb, Cascara.
- Constituents: Sennosides, Rhein.
- Uses: Laxatives (stimulant purgatives).
- Tests: Borntrager's test.
- Saponin Glycosides: E.g., Liquorice, Ginseng, Dioscorea.
- Constituents: Glycyrrhizin, ginsenosides, diosgenin.
- Uses: Expectorant, anti-inflammatory, adaptogen, precursor for steroid synthesis.
- Tests: Foam test.
- Cyanogenetic Glycosides: E.g., Wild Cherry Bark, Bitter Almond.
- Constituents: Amygdalin.
- Uses: Flavoring agents, antitussive (due to hydrocyanic acid release).
- Flavonoid Glycosides: E.g., Buchu, Ginkgo.
- Constituents: Flavonoids.
- Uses: Diuretics, antioxidant, vasoprotective.
3. Tannins
Tannins are complex phenolic compounds capable of forming strong complexes with proteins.
- Sources: Pale Catechu, Black Catechu, Gall and Nut Gall, Myrobalan.
- Chemical Constituents: Hydrolysable tannins (e.g., gallotannins) and condensed tannins (e.g., proanthocyanidins).
- Identification: Gelatin test, Ferric chloride test.
- Uses: Astringents, antidiarrheal, antiseptic, antidote for alkaloid poisoning.
4. Volatile Oils (Essential Oils)
These are aromatic, volatile liquids obtained from plants, characterized by strong odors and complex mixtures of terpenes and terpenoids.
- Sources: Clove, Cinnamon, Peppermint, Spearmint, Lemon Grass, Eucalyptus, Coriander.
- Constituents: Eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, menthol, carvone, citral, cineole, linalool.
- Identification: Organoleptic evaluation, specific gravity, refractive index, chromatographic techniques (GC-MS).
- Uses: Flavoring agents, carminatives, antiseptics, stimulants, fragrances, expectorants.
5. Resins and Resinous Combinations
Resins are amorphous solid or semi-solid products of complex chemical composition, insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.
- Sources: Podophyllum, Cannabis, Capsicum, Ginger, Asafoetida.
- Constituents: Resinous acids, resin alcohols, resenes.
- Uses: Cathartics, sedatives, counter-irritants, carminatives.
Quality Control and Adulteration
Unit II also emphasizes the importance of quality control of crude drugs, including macroscopic, microscopic, physical, chemical, and biological evaluation methods. Understanding common types of adulteration and methods to detect them (e.g., using substandard parts, foreign matter, synthetic substitutes) is crucial to ensure the efficacy and safety of herbal products.
The study of these diverse natural product classes in Pharmacognosy Unit II provides students with a foundational understanding of how nature contributes to modern medicine and the scientific rigor required to harness these botanical treasures for therapeutic benefits.
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