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Pharmacognosy: Science of natural products in drug discovery

Pharmacognosy deals with the natural drugs obtained from organisms such as most plants, microbes, and animals. Up to date, many important drugs including morphine, atropine, galanthamine, etc. have originated from natural sources which continue to be good model molecules in drug discovery. Traditional medicine is also a part of pharmacognosy and most of the third world countries still depend on the use of herbal medicines. Consequently, pharmacognosy always keeps its popularity in pharmaceutical sciences and plays a critical role in drug discovery.

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 Emerging Trends in Pharmacognosy: Shaping the Future of Herbal Medicine

Pharmacognosy, the branch of pharmaceutical sciences that focuses on the study of natural products, especially those derived from plants, has experienced a remarkable resurgence in recent years. With growing global interest in natural and holistic approaches to health, herbal medicine is re-emerging as a cornerstone of primary healthcare systems, especially in developing countries.

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Exploring the Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy: The Science of Natural Drug Sources

Pharmacognosy, derived from the Greek words "pharmakon" (drug) and "gnosis" (knowledge), is the science concerned with the study of crude drugs of natural origin. It serves as a bridge between botany, chemistry, and pharmacology, focusing on the identification, isolation, and characterization of biologically active compounds from plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Pharmacognosy and Its Role in the System of Profile Disciplines in Pharmacy

The primal discipline from which pharmacy has developed can be considered as pharmacognosy. Some consider pharmacognosy as an obsolete academic discipline and there are thoughts about how to deprive it of its status as a separate subject. This opinion is based on limited knowledge that reflects on recent developments in pharmacy, in which 2 disciplines seek to occupy the major position: first, pharmaceutical chemistry, which includes drug analysis, and second, pharmacology, which includes clinical pharmacology and clinical pharmacy.

Pharmacognosy in modern pharmacy curricula

Pharmacognosy, derived from the Greek words “pharmakon” (drug) and “gnosis” (knowledge), is probably the oldest modern science, and generally the study of crude drugs of plant and animal origin (in the form of tinctures, teas, poultices, powders, and other herbal formulations), and it incorporates authentication and quality control of such drugs, based on macroscopic and microscopic examinations of crude drugs. The term Pharmacognosy was first introduced by the Austrian physician Schmidt in 1811 and then in 1815 by Seydler in a work titled Analecta Pharmacognostica.

Pharmacognosy in Pharmacy: Bridging Tradition and Modern Medicine

In the contemporary pharmaceutical landscape, where synthetic drugs dominate the market, pharmacognosy serves as a beacon, guiding pharmacists back to nature's pharmacy. The study of medicinal plants within the framework of pharmacognosy provides pharmacists with insights into the vast reservoir of bioactive compounds present in plants. These compounds, ranging from alkaloids and flavonoids to terpenoids, have the potential to serve as lead compounds for drug development.

Pharmacognosy: Importance and Drawbacks

In many nations of the world, a great number of deaths and morbidity arising from illnesses are witnessed due to lack of basic health care. Phytotherapy has continued to play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of diseases (communicable and noncommunicable). Interestingly, more than 80% of the global populations now adopt phytotherapy as a basic source of maintaining good healthy conditions, owing to the pronounced side effects, nonavailability, and expensive nature of conventional treatment options.

Pharmacognosy: Science of natural products in drug discovery

Pharmacognosy deals with the natural drugs obtained from organisms such as most plants, microbes, and animals. Up to date, many important drugs including morphine, atropine, galanthamine, etc. have originated from natural sources which continue to be good model molecules in drug discovery.

Trends in Pharmacognosy: 35 Years of Research on Therapeutical Natural Resources

Natural medicines have been used since time immemorial to improve human and veterinary health. This human need for medicines is so extensive as to be thought a deep evolutionary behavior (Hardy 2021). The success of modern medical science has largely depended on drugs originally obtained from natural resources, which is the focus of pharmacognosy, a profile discipline of the pharmaceutical sciences dedicated to study the physical, chemical, biochemical, and biological properties of drugs, drug substances, or potential drugs of natural origin.

Resources

International Journal Of Pharmacognosy

To influence and provide opportunities to the academicians and researchers for discussion and exchange of their ideas in the field of Pharmacognosy across the globe.

American Society of Pharmacognosy

The American Society of Pharmacognosy was founded in 1959 as a society international in scope dedicated to the promotion, growth, and development of pharmacognosy and all aspects of natural products sciences.

Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Pharmacognosy is the study of drugs of natural origin. The term comes from two Greek words: "pharmakon" meaning drug or medicine, and "gnosis" meaning knowledge. The American Society of Pharmacognosy defines pharmacognosy as "the study of the physical, chemical, biochemical and biological properties of drugs, drug substances or potential drugs or drug substances of natural origin as well as the search for new drugs from natural sources".

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacognosy Research

This journal publishes research papers, reviews, commentaries and letters to the editor as well as special issues and review of pre-and post-graduate thesis from pharmacists or professionals involved in Pharmaceutical Sciences or Pharmacognosy.

Pharmacognosy Communications

The journal aims to increase understanding of pharmacognosy as well as to direct and foster further research through the dissemination of scientific information by the publication of manuscripts.

Pharmacognosy Consulting

We provide scientific information on herbal remedies and dietary supplements to manufacturers, law firms, associations and government.

Pharmacognosy Institute

The Pharmacognosy Institute (PHCI) at the UIC College of Pharmacy encompasses research, coordination, and dissemination in the greater field of bioactive natural products and their impact on human health

Pharmacognosy Journal

Pharmacognosy Journal (Phcog J.) covers different topics in natural product drug discovery, and also publishes manuscripts that describe pharmacognostic investigations, evaluation reports, methods, techniques and applications of all forms of medicinal plant research.

Pharmacognosy Magazine

Pharmacognosy Magazine is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal devoted to original studies on all aspects of natural products. Its goal is to publish original articles, reviews, short communications, and letters to the editor on all aspects of Natural Products research.

Pharmacognosy Research

It provides peer-reviewed original research articles from the field of Natural Products. The journal serves an international audience of scientists and researchers in a variety of research and academia by quickly disseminating research findings related to Medicinal Plants and Natural Products.

Pharmacognosy Reviews

Each issue covers different reviews on related topics of natural product drug discovery, Biotechnology, Marine Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants.