About Book
Text Book of Introduction to Pharmacognosy is a comprehensive and contemporary textbook designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the science of Pharmacognosy and natural products. The book systematically covers the historical development, scope, and significance of Pharmacognosy in modern pharmaceutical sciences, emphasizing its vital role in drug discovery and herbal medicine research. It presents detailed information on various sources of natural drugs, including plant, animal, microbial, marine, mineral, and plant tissue culture sources. The text highlights major milestones in natural product-based drug discovery, discussing important drugs such as Morphine, Quinine, Aspirin, Penicillin, Taxol, and Artemisinin. It also provides a detailed overview of national and international pharmacopoeias, including the Indian Pharmacopoeia, Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia, British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, and the United States Pharmacopeia. Various systems of crude drug classification are thoroughly explained along with their merits and limitations.
Special emphasis has been given to the cultivation, collection, processing, storage, and conservation of medicinal plants in accordance with WHO guidelines. Advanced concepts such as plant hormones, polyploidy, mutation breeding, hybridization, and eco-pharmacognosy have been incorporated to familiarize students with modern developments in medicinal plant research. The book also discusses conservation strategies for endangered medicinal plants and sustainable utilization of natural resources.
Comprehensive chapters on quality control, standardization, adulteration, and evaluation of crude drugs provide detailed insights into organoleptic, microscopic, physicochemical, chemical, and biological evaluation methods. Modern analytical approaches, including DNA barcoding and advanced quality assessment techniques, are also included to align with current industrial and regulatory requirements. The textbook offers a clear understanding of primary and secondary plant metabolites, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, volatile oils, and resins. Furthermore, it explores the principles of traditional systems of medicine such as AYUSH and Traditional Chinese Medicine and their contribution to contemporary healthcare systems.
About Author
Dr. Rashmi Shukla is an accomplished academician and researcher in the field of Pharmacognosy. She earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacognosy from Swami Vivekananda University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, and completed her Master’s Degree from J. L. Chaturvedi College of Pharmacy, Nagpur. Currently, she serves as the Principal of Sandipani Institute of Pharmacy, Achhoti (Murmunda), Raipur, Chhattisgarh. She has actively participated in numerous National and International Seminars, Conferences, and Faculty Development Programs, contributing to academic and professional excellence. Her areas of interest include medicinal plants, natural product research, and pharmaceutical education. Through her leadership and scholarly contributions, she continues to promote quality education and research in the pharmaceutical sciences.
Mrs. Abhilasha Shete is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacognosy at Kota College of Pharmacy with over 12 years of academic experience. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. from Jaipur National University, Jaipur. Her research contributions include the publication of 5 review articles and 3 research papers in reputed Scopus-indexed journals. She has also published 2 patents and authored 2 books in the field of Pharmacognosy. Mrs. Shete has been honored with several prestigious recognitions, including the Women Scientist Award, Best Achiever Award, and Inspirational Associate Professor Award at various National and International conferences. She is a lifetime member of professional organizations such as APTI, IPGA, and Pharma Lok, reflecting her active engagement in pharmaceutical education and research.
Mrs. Umadevi A. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacognosy at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai, India. She holds a Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm.) in Pharmacognosy (2014) from Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru, Karnataka, and a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm.) degree (2012) from Devaki Amma Memorial College of Pharmacy, Malappuram, Kerala. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Pharmacognosy at VISTAS (since 2024), with a focus on advancing research in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. Mrs. Umadevi has over 11 years of academic and teaching experience in pharmacy education. Her scholarly contributions include several research publications in reputed national and international journals. She has actively participated in scientific conferences, workshops, and seminars, reflecting her commitment to continuous professional development. In addition to teaching, she is actively involved in mentoring and guiding undergraduate and postgraduate students in their research projects, fostering academic excellence and innovation in pharmaceutical sciences.
Dr. Rekha Tarasingh Rajput, currently working as Associate Professor,Sharda School of Pharmacy, Sharda University, Agra, (Formerly Anand College of Pharmacy, Keetham, Agra.), Agra-282005, Uttar Pradesh, India. She has completed her graduation from L.M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad (Gujarat University) and post-graduation from K.L.E. Society's College of Pharmacy, Belgaum (Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences) one of the prestigious and well-known universities and completed her Ph. D in Pharmaceutical Sciences on the topic entitled “Evaluation and Development of Anti-diabetic Polyherbal Formulation of Indian Medicinal Plants”. She has a total of 18+ years of teaching experience. She has more than 33 publications, 17 patents, 07 books and 01 book chapter and more than 100 International and national conferences attended. She is interested in the extraction, isolation, and purification of different compounds from medicinal plants and the development of herbal formulations.
Professor (Dr.) Maitreyi Zaveri is a distinguished academician and researcher currently serving in the Department of Pharmacognosy and Regulatory Affairs at K. B. Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. She completed her B.Pharm, M.Pharm, and Ph.D. from the prestigious L. M. College of Pharmacy, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad. With over 26 years of experience in pharmaceutical research and academics, she has made significant contributions to the field of Pharmacognosy and Regulatory Affairs. Dr. Zaveri has published more than 160 research papers in reputed national and international journals and has three granted Indian patents, with another patent under process. She has also authored three books and successfully completed 22 research projects funded by agencies such as GUJCOST, DST, AICTE, MMPRC, and BIRAC. Her extensive academic achievements and research excellence have established her as a leading figure in pharmaceutical education and innovation in India.
