Pharmacognosy: Essential Concepts and Crude Drug Analysis

Posted on Jul 1, 2026 in Pharmacy

1. Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy

Q1. Define Pharmacognosy

Pharmacognosy is the branch of pharmacy that deals with the study of crude drugs obtained from natural sources such as plants, animals, minerals, and marine organisms.

Q2. Scope of Pharmacognosy

  • Study of crude drugs from natural sources.
  • Identification and evaluation of medicinal plants.
  • Isolation of active constituents.
  • Development of herbal medicines.

Q3. Sources of Crude Drugs

  • Plant sources
  • Animal sources
  • Mineral sources
  • Marine sources
  • Tissue culture sources

Q4. Organized vs. Unorganized Drugs

  • Organized Drugs: Possess cellular structure (e.g., Senna, Digitalis).
  • Unorganized Drugs: Lack cellular structure (e.g., Acacia, Opium).

Q5. Pharmacological Classification

Classification based on therapeutic or pharmacological actions. Example: Senna (Laxative), Digitalis (Cardiotonic).

Q6. Adulteration of Crude Drugs

Adulteration is the mixing or substitution of a genuine crude drug with inferior, spurious, or harmful substances, reducing its quality and purity.

2. Cultivation and Plant Growth

Q7. Cultivation of Medicinal Plants

Cultivation is the process of growing medicinal plants under controlled conditions to obtain good quality crude drugs.

Q8. Factors Affecting Cultivation

  • Climate, Temperature, Rainfall, Soil, Light, Irrigation, Fertilizers and manures.

Q9. Polyploidy

Condition where a plant possesses more than two complete sets of chromosomes. Importance: Increases yield and produces larger fruits/flowers.

Q10. Mutation

A sudden heritable change in the genetic material. Applications: Development of new plant varieties and improved disease resistance.

Q11. Plant Hormones

Natural chemical substances regulating growth. Examples: Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Ethylene, Abscisic Acid.

Q12. Plant Tissue Culture

Technique of growing plant cells, tissues, or organs on a nutrient medium under sterile and controlled conditions.

3. Advanced Pharmacognosy Topics

Q13. Applications of Plant Tissue Culture

  • Rapid multiplication of medicinal plants.
  • Production of disease-free plants.
  • Conservation of rare and endangered plants.
  • Production of secondary metabolites.

Q14. Steps in Plant Tissue Culture

  1. Selection of explant
  2. Sterilization
  3. Preparation of culture medium
  4. Inoculation
  5. Incubation
  6. Regeneration of plantlets

Q15. Nutritional Requirements of Culture Media

  • Water, Macronutrients, Micronutrients, Vitamins, Sucrose (carbon source), Plant growth regulators.

Q16. Principle of Treatment in Ayurveda

Ayurveda maintains health by balancing three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Q17. Ayurveda vs. Unani

  • Ayurveda: Based on three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha).
  • Unani: Based on four humours (Blood, Phlegm, Yellow bile, Black bile).

Q18. Alkaloids

Naturally occurring nitrogen-containing organic compounds with physiological activity. Example: Morphine or Atropine.

Q19. Glycosides

Organic compounds that on hydrolysis yield one or more sugar molecules and a non-sugar part (aglycone). Example: Senna Glycosides.

Q20. Volatile Oils

Aromatic plant constituents that evaporate on exposure to air. Properties: Characteristic odour; do not leave a permanent greasy stain.

4. Specific Medicinal Substances

Q24. Honey

Sweet viscous substance produced by bees. Uses: Nutrient, sweetening agent, cough preparations, and wound healing.

Q25. Gelatin

Protein obtained by partial hydrolysis of collagen. Uses: Capsule shells, stabilizing agent, pharmaceutical formulations.

Q26. Acacia

Dried gummy exudate from Acacia senegal. Uses: Emulsifying agent, suspending agent, tablet binder.

Q27. Tragacanth

Natural gum from Astragalus species. Uses: Suspending, thickening, and emulsifying agent.

Q28. Castor Oil

Fixed oil from Ricinus communis. Uses: Laxative, treatment of constipation.