M.Pharm Pharmacognosy Syllabus
Pharmacognosy is the M.Pharm specialisation on drugs of natural origin, herbal medicines and phytochemistry. This page gives the complete syllabus of the branch as prescribed by the Pharmacy Council of India, subject by subject and unit by unit.
Source: Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), The Revised Regulations for the Master of Pharmacy Degree Program, Credit Based Semester System, and the M.Pharm syllabus prescribed by the Pharmacy Council of India. The syllabus below is reproduced from the PCI syllabus, unit by unit.
Semester 1
MPG101T Modern Pharmaceutical Analytical Techniques
Subject notes: MPG101T Modern Pharmaceutical Analytical Techniques notes
Unit 1: Spectroscopy
UV-Visible spectroscopy: introduction, theory, laws, instrumentation, choice of solvents and solvent effect, applications. IR spectroscopy: theory, modes of molecular vibrations, sample handling, instrumentation of dispersive and Fourier transform IR spectrometer, factors affecting vibrational frequencies, applications. Spectrofluorimetry: theory of fluorescence, factors affecting fluorescence, quenchers, instrumentation, applications. Flame emission spectroscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy: principle, instrumentation, interferences, applications.
Unit 2: NMR spectroscopy
Quantum numbers and their role in NMR, principle, instrumentation, solvent requirement in NMR, relaxation process, NMR signals in various compounds, chemical shift, factors influencing chemical shift, spin-spin coupling, coupling constant, nuclear magnetic double resonance, brief outline of principles of FT-NMR and 13C NMR, applications of NMR spectroscopy.
Unit 3: Mass spectroscopy
Principle, theory, instrumentation, different types of ionization like electron impact, chemical, field, FAB and MALDI, APCI, ESI, APPI, analyzers of quadrupole and time of flight, mass fragmentation and its rules, metastable ions, isotopic peaks, applications of mass spectroscopy.
Unit 4: Chromatography
Principle, apparatus, instrumentation, chromatographic parameters, factors affecting resolution, isolation of drug from excipients, data interpretation and applications of: thin layer chromatography, high performance thin layer chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, column chromatography, gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, ultra high performance liquid chromatography, affinity chromatography, gel chromatography.
Unit 5: Electrophoresis and X-ray crystallography
Electrophoresis: principle, instrumentation, working conditions, factors affecting separation and applications of paper electrophoresis, gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, zone electrophoresis, moving boundary electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing. X-ray crystallography: production of X rays, different X ray diffraction methods, Bragg law, rotating crystal technique, X ray powder technique, types of crystals, applications of X ray diffraction.
Unit 6: Potentiometry and thermal techniques
Potentiometry: principle, working, ion selective electrodes, applications. Thermal techniques: principle, thermal transitions and instrumentation (heat flux and power compensation designs), modulated DSC, hyper DSC, experimental parameters (sample preparation, experimental conditions, calibration, heating and cooling rates, resolution, source of errors) and their influence, advantages and disadvantages, pharmaceutical applications. Differential thermal analysis (DTA): principle, instrumentation, advantages and disadvantages, pharmaceutical applications, derivative differential thermal analysis (DDTA). TGA: principle, instrumentation, factors affecting results, advantages and disadvantages, pharmaceutical applications.
MPG102T Advanced Pharmacognosy-I
Subject notes: MPG102T Advanced Pharmacognosy-I notes
Unit 1: Plant drug cultivation
Plant drug cultivation. General introduction to the importance of Pharmacognosy in herbal drug industry, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Current Good Agricultural Practices, Current Good Cultivation Practices, Current Good Collection Practices, conservation of medicinal plants, ex-situ and in-situ conservation of medicinal plants.
Unit 2: Marine natural products
Marine natural products. General methods of isolation and purification, study of marine toxins, recent advances in research in marine drugs, problems faced in research on marine drugs such as taxonomical identification, chemical screening and their solution.
Unit 3: Nutraceuticals
Nutraceuticals. Current trends and future scope, inorganic mineral supplements, vitamin supplements, digestive enzymes, dietary fibres, cereals and grains, health drinks of natural origin, antioxidants, polyunsaturated fatty acids, herbs as functional foods, formulation and standardization of nutraceuticals, regulatory aspects, FSSAI guidelines, sources, name of marker compounds and their chemical nature, medicinal uses and health benefits of: Spirulina, soya bean, ginseng, garlic, broccoli, green and herbal tea, flax seeds, black cohosh, turmeric.
Unit 4: Phytopharmaceuticals
Phytopharmaceuticals. Occurrence, isolation and characteristic features (chemical nature, uses in pharmacy, medicinal and health benefits) of: carotenoids (alpha and beta carotene, xanthophyll (lutein)); limonoids (d-limonene, alpha terpineol); saponins (shatavarins); flavonoids (resveratrol, rutin, hesperidin, naringin, quercetin); phenolic acids (ellagic acid); vitamins; tocotrienols and tocopherols; andrographolide, glycolipids, guggulipids, withanolides, vascine, taxol; miscellaneous.
Unit 5: Pharmacovigilance of drugs of natural origin
Pharmacovigilance of drugs of natural origin. WHO and AYUSH guidelines for safety monitoring of natural medicine, spontaneous reporting schemes for biodrug adverse reactions, biodrug-drug and biodrug-food interactions with suitable examples.
MPG103T Phytochemistry
Subject notes: MPG103T Phytochemistry notes
Unit 1: Biosynthetic pathways and radio tracing techniques
Biosynthetic pathways and radio tracing techniques. Constituents and their biosynthesis, isolation, characterization and purification with special reference to their importance in herbal industries of phytopharmaceuticals containing drugs: alkaloids (ephedrine, quinine, strychnine, piperine, berberine, taxol, vinca alkaloids); glycosides (digitoxin, glycyrrhizin, sennosides, bacosides, quercetin); steroids (hecogenin, guggulsterone and withanolides); coumarin (umbelliferone); terpenoids (cucurbitacins).
Unit 2: Drug discovery and development
Drug discovery and development. History of herbs as source of drugs and drug discovery, the lead structure selection process, structure development, product discovery process and drug registration, selection and optimization of lead compounds with suitable examples from artemisinin and andrographolides. Clinical studies emphasising phases of clinical trials, protocol design for lead molecules.
Unit 3: Extraction and phytochemical studies
Extraction and phytochemical studies. Recent advances in extractions with emphasis on selection of method and choice of solvent for extraction, successive and exhaustive extraction and other methods of extraction commonly used like microwave assisted extraction, methods of fractionation. Separation of phytoconstituents by latest CCCET and SCFE techniques including preparative HPLC and flash column chromatography.
Unit 4: Phytochemical fingerprinting
Phytochemical fingerprinting. HPTLC and LC-MS/GC-MS applications in the characterization of herbal extracts. Structure elucidation of phytoconstituents.
Unit 5: Structure elucidation by spectroscopic techniques
Structure elucidation of the following compounds by spectroscopic techniques like UV, IR, MS, NMR (1H, 13C): carvone, citral, menthol; luteolin, kaempferol; nicotine, caffeine; glycyrrhizin.
MPG104T Industrial Pharmacognostical Technology
Subject notes: MPG104T Industrial Pharmacognostical Technology notes
Unit 1: Herbal drug industry
Herbal drug industry. Infrastructure of herbal drug industry involved in production of standardized extracts and various dosage forms, current challenges in upgrading and modernization of herbal formulations, entrepreneurship development, project selection, project report, technical knowledge, capital venture, plant design, layout and construction, pilot plant scale up techniques, case studies of herbal extracts, formulation and production management of herbals.
Unit 2: Regulatory requirements for setting up the herbal drug industry
Regulatory requirements for setting up the herbal drug industry. Global marketing management, Indian and international patent law as applicable to herbal drugs and natural products, Export Import (EXIM) policy, TRIPS, quality assurance in herbal and natural drug products, concepts of TQM, GMP, GLP, ISO-9000.
Unit 3: Monographs of herbal drugs
Monographs of herbal drugs. General parameters of monographs of herbal drugs and comparative study in IP, USP, Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia, Siddha and Unani Pharmacopoeia, American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, WHO guidelines in quality assessment of herbal drugs.
Unit 4: Testing of natural products and drugs
Testing of natural products and drugs. Herbal medicines, clinical laboratory testing. Stability testing of natural products, protocols.
Unit 5: Patents
Patents. Indian and international patent laws, proposed amendments as applicable to herbal and natural products and process, geographical indication, copyright, patentable subject matters, novelty, non-obviousness, utility, enablement and best mode, procedure for Indian patent filing, patent processing, grant of patents, rights of patents, cases of patents, opposition and revocation of patents, patent search and literature, controllers of patents.
Practicals and Seminar
- MPG105P Pharmacognosy Practical I
- Seminar/Assignment
Semester 2
MPG201T Medicinal Plant Biotechnology
Subject notes: MPG201T Medicinal Plant Biotechnology notes
Unit 1: Introduction to plant biotechnology
Introduction to plant biotechnology. Historical perspectives, prospects for development of plant biotechnology as a source of medicinal agents, applications in pharmacy and allied fields. Genetic and molecular biology as applied to pharmacognosy, study of DNA, RNA and protein replication, genetic code, regulation of gene expression, structure and complexity of genome, cell signaling, recombinant DNA technology.
Unit 2: Different tissue culture techniques
Different tissue culture techniques. Organogenesis and embryogenesis, synthetic seed and somaclonal variation, protoplast fusion, hairy root and multiple shoot cultures and their applications, micropropagation of medicinal and aromatic plants, sterilization methods involved in tissue culture, gene transfer in plants and their applications.
Unit 3: Immobilisation techniques and secondary metabolite production
Immobilisation techniques and secondary metabolite production. Immobilization techniques of plant cell and its application on secondary metabolite production, cloning of plant cell (different methods of cloning and its applications, advantages and disadvantages of plant cell cloning), secondary metabolism in tissue cultures with emphasis on production of medicinal agents, precursors and elicitors on production of secondary metabolites.
Unit 4: Biotransformation and transgenesis
Biotransformation and transgenesis. Biotransformation, bioreactors for pilot and large scale cultures of plant cells and retention of biosynthetic potential in cell culture, transgenic plants, methods used in gene identification, localization and sequencing of genes, application of PCR in plant genome analysis.
Unit 5: Fermentation technology
Fermentation technology. Application of fermentation technology, production of ergot alkaloids, single cell proteins, enzymes of pharmaceutical interest.
MPG202T Advanced Pharmacognosy-II
Subject notes: MPG202T Advanced Pharmacognosy-II notes
Unit 1: Herbal remedies, toxicity and regulations
Herbal remedies, toxicity and regulations. Herbals versus conventional drugs, efficacy of herbal medicine products, validation of herbal therapies, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic issues.
Unit 2: Adulteration and deterioration
Adulteration and deterioration. Introduction, types of adulteration and substitution of herbal drugs, causes and measures of adulteration, sampling procedures, determination of foreign matter, DNA fingerprinting techniques in identification of drugs of natural origin, detection of heavy metals, pesticide residues, phytotoxin and microbial contamination in herbs and their formulations.
Unit 3: Ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology
Ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology. Ethnobotany in herbal drug evaluation, impact of ethnobotany in traditional medicine, new developments in herbals, bioprospecting tools for drug discovery, role of ethnopharmacology in drug evaluation, reverse pharmacology.
Unit 4: Analytical profiles of herbal drugs
Analytical profiles of the following herbal drugs: Andrographis paniculata, Boswellia serrata, Coleus forskohlii, Curcuma longa, Emblica officinalis, Psoralea corylifolia.
Unit 5: Biological screening of herbal drugs
Biological screening of herbal drugs. Introduction and need for phytopharmacological screening, new strategies for evaluating natural products, in vitro evaluation techniques for antioxidants, antimicrobial and anticancer drugs, in vivo evaluation techniques for anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, anticancer, wound healing, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, diuretics and antifertility, toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines.
MPG203T Indian System of Medicine
Subject notes: MPG203T Indian System of Medicine notes
Unit 1: Fundamental concepts of the Indian systems of medicine
Fundamental concepts of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy systems of medicine. Different dosage forms of the ISM. Ayurveda: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia, analysis of formulations and bio crude drugs with reference to identity, purity and quality. Siddha: Gunapadam (Siddha pharmacology), raw drugs, Dhatu and Jeevam in the Siddha system of medicine, purification process (Suddhi).
Unit 2: Naturopathy, yoga and aromatherapy practices
Naturopathy: introduction, basic principles and treatment modalities. Yoga: introduction and streams of yoga, asanas, pranayama, meditations and relaxation techniques. Aromatherapy: introduction, aroma oils for common problems, carrier oils.
Unit 3: Formulation development of various systems of medicine
Salient features of the techniques of preparation of some of the important classes of formulations as per Ayurveda, Siddha, Homeopathy and Unani pharmacopoeia and texts. Standardization, shelf life and stability studies of ISM formulations.
Unit 4: Schedule T, Good Manufacturing Practice of Indian systems of medicine
Components of GMP (Schedule T) and its objectives, infrastructural requirements, working space, storage area, machinery and equipments, standard operating procedures, health and hygiene, documentation and records. Quality assurance in the ISM formulation industry: GAP, GMP and GLP. Preparation of documents for new drug application and export registration. Challenges in monitoring the safety of herbal medicines: regulation, quality assurance and control, national and regional pharmacopoeias.
Unit 5: Traditional knowledge protection and the AYUSH research bodies
TKDL, Geographical Indication Bill, Government bills in AYUSH, ISM, CCRAS, CCRS, CCRH, CCRU.
MPG204T Herbal Cosmetics
Subject notes: MPG204T Herbal Cosmetics notes
Unit 1: Introduction and regulation of herbal cosmetics
Introduction. Herbal and natural cosmetics, classification and economic aspects. Regulatory provisions relating to manufacture of cosmetics: licence, GMP, offences and penalties, import and export of herbal and natural cosmetics, industries involved in the production of herbal and natural cosmetics.
Unit 2: Raw materials and the design of herbal cosmetic formulations
Commonly used herbal cosmetics, raw materials, preservatives, surfactants, humectants, oils, colors and some functional herbs, preformulation studies, compatibility studies, possible interactions between chemicals and herbs, design of herbal cosmetic formulation.
Unit 3: Herbal cosmetics for skin, hair, mouth and nails
Herbal cosmetics. Physiology and chemistry of skin and pigmentation, hairs, scalp, lips and nail, cleansing cream, lotions, face powders, face packs, lipsticks, bath products, soaps and baby products, preparation and standardisation of tonics, bleaches, dentifrices and mouth washes and tooth pastes, cosmetics for nails.
Unit 4: Cosmeceuticals of herbal and natural origin
Cosmeceuticals of herbal and natural origin. Hair growth formulations, shampoos, conditioners, colorants and hair oils, fairness formulations, vanishing and foundation creams, anti-sunburn preparations, moisturizing creams, deodorants.
Unit 5: Analysis of cosmetics, toxicity screening and test methods
Analysis of cosmetics, toxicity screening and test methods. Quality control and toxicity studies as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Practicals and Seminar
- MPG205P Pharmacognosy Practical II
- Seminar/Assignment
Semester 3 and 4
Semester 3 and Semester 4 are common to all M.Pharm specialisations. They cover Research Methodology and Biostatistics (MRM301T), journal club, discussion and presentation, and research work. The full common structure is given on the M.Pharm Common Semester 3 and 4 Syllabus page.