About Book
Pharmacognosy is a core discipline of pharmaceutical sciences that deals with the study of drugs obtained from natural sources and their identification, evaluation, quality assurance, and therapeutic significance. This textbook has been prepared in accordance with the latest pharmacy curriculum and is designed to provide a clear, systematic, and student-oriented presentation of pharmacognosy. The contents progress logically from fundamental concepts to crude drug classification, cultivation, evaluation, phytochemistry, medicinal plants, and modern developments including standardization, quality control, biotechnology, and analytical techniques. Clinical relevance, illustrations, tables, learning objectives, summaries, and review questions have been incorporated throughout the text to facilitate effective learning. This book is intended primarily for undergraduate pharmacy students, while also serving as a useful reference for postgraduate students, teachers, researchers, and professionals interested in natural products and herbal medicines. We hope this textbook strengthens conceptual understanding and encourages scientific exploration of medicinal plants and natural-product drug discovery.
About Author
Dr. Venkata Suresh Jilakara is a distinguished academician, researcher, and administrator with over 30 years of teaching and research experience in pharmaceutical sciences. He is currently serving as Professor and Principal at Jagan's Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jangalakandriga(Village), Muthukur(Mandal), SPSR Nellore Dist AndhraPradesh. Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions to pharmacy education, research, and professional development in India. Dr. Jilakara completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy (1995) and Master of Pharmacy (1997) from Gulbarga University, Karnataka, and earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacy (2012) from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. His academic excellence and leadership have been widely recognized within the pharmacy profession. He served as National Coordinator for National elocution competition of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) – (DP-NEC) from 2014 to 2023, playing a pivotal role in advancing professional and academic initiatives across the country. He also served as Vice President and Secretary of the IPA Khammam Local Branch, contributing actively to the growth of the association. Dr. Jilakara was the Co-Chairman of the Registration Committee for the 68th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress (IPC) held at Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, from 16–18 December 2016, where he received an Excellence Award from the Indian Pharmaceutical Association in recognition of his outstanding service. A dedicated mentor and prolific researcher, Dr. Jilakara has successfully guided 7 Ph.D. scholars and approximately 108 postgraduate students. He has authored more than 55 original research publications in reputed national and international journals. Additionally, he has served as a speaker, session chair, and resource person at numerous AICTE-sponsored conferences, workshops, and scientific events, making substantial contributions to pharmaceutical education and research. He is a Life Member of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), Association of Pharmacy Teachers of India (APTI), and the Indian Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (IACP), reflecting his continued commitment to the advancement of the pharmacy profession.
