Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry (Theory)

Metabolic Pathways and Biogenetic Studies Brief study of basic metabolic pathways and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites including: Shikimic acid pathway Acetate pathway Amino acid pathways Utilization of radioactive isotopes in biogenetic studies. Introduction to pathway prediction tools and modern genetic tools such as CRISPR/Cas9.

Primary Metabolites General classification and identification tests Pharmacognostic study (biological source, distribution, identifying characters, chemical constituents, specific tests, therapeutic uses, and commercial applications) of: Carbohydrates: Acacia, Agar Tragacanth Honey Proteins and Enzymes: Gelatin Casein Proteolytic enzymes: Papain, Bromelain, Serratiopeptidase, Urokinase, Streptokinase, Pepsin Lipids (Waxes, Fats, Fixed Oils): Castor oil Olive oil Cocoa butter Wool fat Beeswax

Secondary Metabolites General classification and identification tests Pharmacognostic study (biological source, distribution, cultivation of underlined drugs, identifying characters, chemical constituents, specific tests, therapeutic uses, and commercial applications) of: Alkaloids: Vinca Rauwolfia Opium Volatile Oils: Lemongrass Clove Cinnamon Fennel Tannins: Myrobalans Catechu Pomegranate Resins: Guggul Asafoetida Glycosides: Senna Liquorice Digitalis Phenylpropanoids and Flavonoids: Green Tea Ginkgo Flax seed Iridoids, Other Terpenoids and Naphthoquinones: Gentian Artemisia

Extraction Methods for Medicinal Plants Conventional Methods of Extraction: Infusion Decoction Digestion Maceration Percolation Reflux Distillation Soxhlet extraction Successive solvent extraction Modern Methods of Extraction: Supercritical fluid extraction Microwave-assisted extraction Ultrasonic-assisted extraction Enzyme-assisted extraction Pressurized liquid extraction

Overview of Isolation, Identification and Characterization Techniques Separation and Isolation Techniques: Planar chromatography Column chromatography Preparative TLC Flash chromatography Identification Techniques: Phytochemical tests Chromatographic techniques Spectroscopic techniques Fingerprinting of medicinal plants using TLC/HPTLC. Types and significance of markers (phytochemical reference standards). Screening and analysis of major metabolites: Alkaloids Glycosides Saponins Tannins Resins Flavonoids Phenolics Steroids