Semester IV · PCI syllabus 2026
Herbal Drug Technology
BP401T
3 credits
Theory
Coming soon
Unit 1: Plant Tissue Culture and Standardized Extracts:
- Plant tissue culture as an alternative source of medicine:
- Historical development
- Types of cultures
- Nutritional requirements
- Growth and maintenance of callus and suspension culture
- Role of elicitation, genetic transformation, biotransformation, precursor feeding, and somaclonal variation in biomass and secondary metabolite production Introduction to biomanufacturing:
- Medicinal plant–based biomanufacturing
- Utilising plant factories in obtaining valuable ingredients for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries
- Examples: Shikonin and Paclitaxel
- Oral vaccines in healthcare Optimization and production of standardized extracts of medicinal plants: Strategies for preparation of desired quality extracts by optimizing and adjusting bioactives ensuring quality using analysis of metabolites and TLC fingerprints of the following:
- Aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Licorice, Neem, and Haritaki
- Flavonoid-rich fraction of Sweet lime peel
- Terpenoid-rich fraction of Bacopa
- Phenol-rich fraction of Green Tea
- Steroid-rich fraction of Tribulus
- Alkaloid-rich fraction of Vasaka
Unit 2: Herbal Formulations, Excipients and Cosmetics:
- Herbal formulations:
- Conventional herbal formulations: syrups, mixtures, powders, capsules, tablets, creams, ointments
- Novel dosage forms: phytosomes (phytocomplexes), liposomes, nanoformulations
- Composition, preparation, and characterization using standardized extracts and bioactives Herbal cosmetics:
- Sources and description of raw materials of herbal origin as active agents in skincare, hair care, and oral hygiene products
- Applications in skincare, hair care, and oral hygiene products such as: o Sunscreen-lotion/gel o Hair oil, shampoo, herbal dye o Herbal mouthwash, chewing gums, candies, gargles
- Face serums and herbal face packs Excipients of Natural origin
- Viscosity builders, disintegrants
- Flavors and perfumes
- Protective agents, waxes, bleaching agents and antioxidants
Unit 3: Quality Control and Standardisation of Herbal Medicines:
- WHO, AYUSH, and EU guidelines on quality control, stability, and shelf life studies of herbal medicines
- Approaches for standardisation and quality control of botanicals and formulations
- Testing methods and regulatory considerations
- Role of DNA fingerprint and molecular markers such as rbcL, matK, and SCAR in quality control
- Forensic pharmacognosy: Role in identification of illicit herbal drugs (e.g., Cannabis, Opium)
Unit 4: Herb–Drug / Food / Herb Interactions:
- General introduction to interactions and role of ADME, Cytochrome P450, and P-gp
- Herb–drug interactions: o St. John’s Wort with warfarin o Ginkgo biloba with aspirin
- Herb–food interactions: o Licorice with salty foods o Turmeric with fats o Green tea with iron-rich foods
- Herb–herb interactions: o Ephedra with Ginseng o Chamomile with Valerian
- Adverse reactions related to plants and foods such as allergy, intolerance, and toxicity
Unit 5: Regulatory Requirements of Herbal Drugs and Botanicals:
- Regulatory framework in India for Herbal and ASU medicines: a) Role of regulatory bodies b) ASU DTAB (Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani Drugs Technical Advisory Board) c) ASU DCC (Drugs Consultative Committee for ASU drugs) d) Schedule T – GMP requirements for ASU drugs e) Schedule E1 – Poisonous drugs listed under AYUSH f) Drugs and Cosmetics Act – Regulatory provisions relevant to herbal/ASU medicines, procedures for registration, trade, and export g) Concept of Phytopharmaceuticals and Ayush Aahara in bridging Indian traditional knowledge with modern science
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