Collection of Medicinal Plants involves gathering plant materials at the right stage for maximum therapeutic value. Collection is the process of harvesting plant materials such as leaves, roots, bark, flowers, and seeds at the right time to ensure maximum potency of active compounds. Proper collection techniques help maintain the medicinal value, sustainability, and purity of … Read more
Cultivation of Medicinal Plants involves controlled growth to ensure quality, yield, and purity of herbal drugs. Cultivation of Medicinal Plants supports sustainable supply, consistency, and preservation of therapeutic plant species. Cultivation is the scientific and controlled growth of medicinal plants to obtain high-quality drugs in a sustainable manner. Importance of Cultivation Prevents overexploitation of wild … Read more
Quantitative microscopy of Crude Drugs involves the precise measurement and analysis of microscopic features in crude drugs (herbal medicines) to ensure authenticity, purity, and quality. This method provides numerical data for standardization and comparison, making it an essential tool in herbal drug evaluation. The main techniques in Quantitative microscopy of Crude Drugs include: Lycopodium Spore … Read more
Definition Assessing pharmacological activity or toxicological profile using bioassays (in vitro or in vivo). Examples Cardiotonic Activity Tests: e.g., Digitalis leaf assay on isolated frog heart. Antimicrobial Tests: Agar diffusion or dilution methods for detecting antibacterial or antifungal properties. Toxicity Tests: Acute, subacute, or chronic toxicity studies in animals. Significance Reflects the true therapeutic or … Read more
Definition of Physical Evaluation of Drugs Measurement of physical parameters and constants that help gauge purity and identity. Common Physical Tests Foreign Matter Content: Visual or sieve-based inspection. Moisture Content / Loss on Drying: Prevents microbial growth, ensures stability. Ash Values Total Ash: Inorganic residue after incineration. Acid-Insoluble Ash: Detects silica and dirt. Water-Soluble Ash. … Read more
Chemical Evaluation of Drugs analyzes composition, purity, and chemical structure for quality assurance. Chemical Evaluation of Drugs ensures safety, potency, and compliance with pharmaceutical standards. Definition Qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses to identify and measure active constituents or marker compounds. Approaches Simple Chemical Tests: Color reactions (e.g., Mayer’s reagent for alkaloids, Ferric chloride test for … Read more
Organoleptic (Sensory) Evaluation of Drugs involves assessing drugs using senses like sight, taste, smell, and touch. Organoleptic (Sensory) Evaluation of Drugs ensures quality, identity, and consumer acceptability through sensory characteristics. Definition Involves the use of the sense organs (sight, smell, taste, touch) to inspect the crude drug. Key Properties Assessed Appearance (color, shape, size): e.g., … Read more
Microscopic Evaluation of Drugs identifies structural features of crude drugs using magnification. Microscopic Evaluation of Drugs ensures quality, purity, and detection of adulteration. Definition Microscopic examination of crude drugs (whole or powdered) to study histological or cellular Procedure Preparation of thin sections (e.g., transverse or longitudinal) of the plant part. Staining or clearing the sample … Read more
Adulteration of Drugs of Natural Origin is Fraudulent or by mistake substitution or contamination reducing purity, safety, and potency. Adulteration refers to the intentional or unintentional addition, substitution, or removal of substances in a drug, compromising its quality and safety. Types of Adulteration: Adulteration refers to the contamination or addition of inferior substances to food, … Read more
Sero-Taxonomical Classification: Identifies plant species using antigen–antibody reactions for precise taxonomic grouping. Sero-Taxonomical Classification: Combines serology with taxonomy to reveal evolutionary relationships among plants. This method uses serological (antibody-antigen) reactions to classify drugs. It is a modern approach used mainly in biotechnology, genetic research, and plant authentication. How It Works? Uses serological techniques (antigen-antibody reactions) … Read more
