Pharmacognosy is probably the oldest of the modern sciences that involves the study of the physical, chemical, biochemical and biological properties of natural drugs, including the search for new drugs from natural sources. The subject is one of the core branches in the pharmacy curriculum and therefore found an important niche in the Manipal College of Pharmaceutical sciences as a coveted department. The department enjoys the reputation of being one of the most sophisticated and well equipped department in the country. It is accredited by all the major regulatory bodies in India.

The department was established in 1971, under the eminent leadership of well-known pharmacognosist of international repute Dr. M.A. Iyengar. Since its inception the department has witnessed an exponential growth which was nurtured and further developed by Dr. Annie Shirwaikar and Dr. C.S. Shreedhara. Presently the department is headed by an eminent teacher and pharmacognosist Dr. M. Manjunath Setty.

The strength of the department lies in its modern labs, sophisticated instruments and high quality research output. The department has produced about 150 post graduates and 12 PhD scholars who are enjoying impressive positions in industry and academia. About 250 publications in the journal of national and international repute with good impact factor testify the quality research output of the department.

Academic credibility of the department of Pharmacognosy is envisaged by its changing curriculum to meet the current requirements of pharmaceutical Industry. The department offers extensive training in all aspects of natural products including latest developments in the scientific field. Herbal product development, drug discovery and development from natural products, development of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements and cosmeceuticals, herbal IPR and herbal drugs patenting are the focused key areas of the department.

MPharm Pharmacognosy Programme Educational Outcomes [PEOs]

MPharm Pharmacognosy Programme Outcomes [POs]

MPharm Pharmacognosy Course Outcomes [COs]

Click to view Regulations for MPharm Pharmacognosy programme

Scope

The department of Pharmacognosy caters to the modern needs of Industry by providing conducive ambience for learning and develop skills to befit the industrial and academic demands. The growing needs for herbal drugs standardization and analysis in the pharmaceuctical, herbal/ayurvedic, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical industries has paved the way for the requirement of well trained personnel. Our department has been continuously providing skilled hands to industry and academic demands.  The alumni of our department and their positions in the industry and academia speak about the employability of our students.

Core competence

·         Herbal drug standardization

·         Development of Nano-herbal formulation

·         Medicinal Plant Tissue Culture

·         Evaluation of traditional herbal formulation

·         Isolation and purification of phytoconstituents

·         Development of nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals

·         Biological screening of herbs/herbal/ traditional product

PROGRAM

MPharm in Pharmacognosy

The pogram is designed to train the students in various aspects of herbal drug technology viz., herbal drug standardization, phytochemical evaluation, development and fromulation of herbal drugs; evaluation and validation of traditional herbal products, and production of plant sencondary metabolites by Plant Tissue Culture. Accordingly the program includes following courses.

1. Advanced Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry: The course primarily explores chemistry of secondary metabolites from natural origin including techniques of extraction, separation and characterization.
2. Herbal Product Development and Formulation: This subject aims at training the students in various aspects of herbal formulation and development as per industrial requirement along with its quality control and quality assessment.
3. Medicinal Plant Biotechnology: it deals with biotechnological approach in understanding Plant Tissue Culture for crop improvement, enhancement of secondary plant metabolites and conservation of endangered medicinal plants.
4. Biological Screening of Herbal Drugs: The course is offered with an intention to understand in vitro and in vivo biological screening of herbal drugs for various diseases and disorders.
5. Spectral and Chromatographic Studies: It offers theoretical/practical knowledge in chemistry of natural products and interpretation of spectra of various biomolecules thereby helping student to get hands on experience in operating the various instruments.

All the above courses will definitely provide the best insight so that the student will be trained to cater to the requirements of industry, academia and research.

Department of Pharmacognosy is equipped with sophisticated facilities and infrastructure to cater to the needs of students and research scholars.