1st Year • ER20-13T
Pharmacognosy Master Handbook with Color Morphological Charts
Compiled by Pharmacist365 Expert Faculty Panel
Chapter 1: Scope & History of Pharmacognosy
Pharmacognosy is the scientific study of the structural, physical, chemical, and biological characters of crude drugs of plant, animal, and mineral origin.
The term was coined in 1815 by C. A. Seydler from the Greek words: pharmakon (remedy/drug) and gnosis (knowledge).
Classification of Crude Drugs
- Alphabetical Classification: IP, BP, USP arrange drugs by Latin or English names.
- Morphological Classification: Leaves (Senna, Digitalis), Barks (Cinchona, Cinnamon), Roots (Rauwolfia), Seeds (Nux vomica).
- Chemical Classification: Alkaloids, Glycosides, Tannins, Resins, Volatile Oils.
- Pharmacological / Therapeutic: Cardiotonics, Laxatives, Antihypertensives.
Chapter 2: Cardio-Active Glycosides: Digitalis
Biological Source: Dried leaves of Digitalis purpurea Linn., belonging to family Scrophulariaceae. Must not contain more than 5% moisture.
Microscopic Characteristics:
- Anomocytic stomata on both surfaces.
- Multicellular uniseriate trichomes (3-5 cells with collapsed cells).
- No calcium oxalate crystals (key diagnostic distinction from adulterants).
Chemical Constituents:
Primary glycosides: Purpurea glycoside A and Purpurea glycoside B, which upon enzymatic hydrolysis yield Digitoxin and Gitoxin respectively.
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