Important Crude Drugs in Pharmacognosy

Pharmacognosy (ER20-13T) is one of the most scoring subjects in D.Pharm Year 1. Here is a focused guide to the most important crude drugs.

What Are Crude Drugs

Crude drugs are unprocessed natural substances (plants, animals, minerals) used as medicinal agents. In D.Pharm you study:

• Biological source (plant name, family)
• Parts used (leaves, roots, seeds, bark)
• Chemical constituents (active compounds)
• Uses (therapeutic applications)

High-Yield Crude Drugs

1. Digitalis (Foxglove)

• Source: Digitalis purpurea, Scrophulariaceae
• Part used: Dried leaves
• Constituents: Digitalin, Gitoxin, Digoxin
• Use: Cardiac glycoside, heart failure

2. Cinchona Bark (Quinine)

• Source: Cinchona officinalis, Rubiaceae
• Part used: Bark
• Constituents: Quinine, Quinidine
• Use: Anti-malarial, anti-arrhythmic

3. Belladonna

• Source: Atropa belladonna, Solanaceae
• Part used: Leaves and roots
• Constituents: Atropine, Hyoscyamine
• Use: Antispasmodic, mydriatic

4. Opium (Papaver)

• Source: Papaver somniferum, Papaveraceae
• Part used: Dried latex
• Constituents: Morphine, Codeine, Papaverine
• Use: Narcotic analgesic, antitussive

5. Nux Vomica

• Source: Strychnos nux-vomica, Loganiaceae
• Part used: Seeds
• Constituents: Strychnine, Brucine
• Use: CNS stimulant (small doses)

6. Aloe

• Source: Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae
• Part used: Dried juice of leaves
• Constituents: Barbaloin, Aloe-emodin
• Use: Cathartic, wound healing

7. Senna

• Source: Cassia angustifolia / acutifolia, Leguminosae
• Part used: Leaves and pods
• Constituents: Sennosides A & B
• Use: Laxative

8. Turmeric

• Source: Curcuma longa, Zingiberaceae
• Part used: Rhizome
• Constituents: Curcumin
• Use: Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic

Exam Tips

1. Always write the biological source in italics (Latin)
2. Memorise the family name — examiners focus on this
3. Draw simple diagrams for identification marks
4. Link constituents to their therapeutic action

The Drug Museum at Noble

Our Museum of Crude Drugs holds physical specimens of every important crude drug. Hands-on exposure makes a measurable difference in retention and practical performance.