The Pharmacognosy Department focuses on the study of natural drugs derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms. It plays a key role in identifying, isolating, and analyzing natural compounds for medicinal use. The department combines knowledge from botany, chemistry, pharmacology, and biotechnology to discover new drugs and ensure the quality and safety of herbal medicines.
One of its main functions is studying medicinal plants through botanical identification and microscopic analysis. It also involves phytochemistry, where researchers extract and study chemical compounds like alkaloids and flavonoids using advanced techniques like HPLC and spectroscopy. These compounds are then screened for biological activities such as antimicrobial or anticancer effects.
The department also focuses on standardization and quality control of herbal drugs, using regulatory guidelines to maintain consistency and safety. Through biotechnological methods, such as plant tissue culture, it helps conserve rare species and boost the production of valuable compounds.
Students study subjects like herbal drug technology, phytochemistry, and ethnopharmacology, gaining skills for careers in research, pharma industries, and herbal product development. The department also supports the integration of traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda with modern science.
In short, the Pharmacognosy Department serves as a bridge between nature and medicine, contributing to drug discovery, herbal product development, and sustainable healthcare solutions.
Key Laboratory Facilities
The Department houses a well-equipped Pharmacognosy Laboratory that supports undergraduate and research-level training. The lab is designed to provide practical exposure to students in the identification, evaluation, and analysis of crude drugs.
| Equipment | Description |
| Compound Microscope | For cellular and anatomical studies of crude drugs. |
| Binocular Microscope | Enables three-dimensional observation of plant tissues and structures. |
| Soxhlet Apparatus | Used for continuous extraction of active constituents from plant materials. |
| Medicinal Plant Charts | Display important medicinal plants with botanical details to aid visual learning. |
| Crude Drug Specimen Museum | A rich collection of natural drugs in their original form for macroscopic identification and classification. |
| Soft Copies of Classical Texts | Digital versions of Charak Samhita and Sushrut Samhita are available for reference to bridge ancient knowledge with modern research. |