Pharmacognosy is probably the oldest of the modern sciences that involves the study of the physical, chemical, biochemical, and pharmacological properties of natural drugs, including the search for new medicinal molecules from natural sources i.e., natural product drug discovery. Also, pharmacognosy is a bridge between modern medicine and traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani.

In simple words, Pharmacognosy is the study of crude drugs. It’s a versatile subject covering the aspects of botany, zoology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, standardization of herbals, drug discovery and formulation science.

All over the world, the use of herbs as a source therapeutics and agents for maintenance of health has been enormously increased. And so, regulatory authorities in the world are tightening their norms concerning the quality, safety, and efficacy of such drugs. Hence, one of the major trends in the herbal drug research is standardization of herbal medicine, finding and providing proof for the safety, efficacy, and quality of herbals. Therefore, in this scenario, there is a great demand for the professionals with sound knowledge and skills of formulation, evaluation, and standardization of herbals. And on the research front, there is huge requirement of manpower with the adequate knowledge and skills on isolation, identification, characterization of bioactive molecules and standardized extracts. The programme curriculum exactly comprises the requirements that were discussed above. We at JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysuru laying great effort to provide the knowledge and skill that is required to meet the today’s challenges in herbal drug industry and research. This we are achieving by providing the required infrastructure, the best research ambiance, active industry-institute interaction, reputed collaborative, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research projects.

M. Pharm in Pharmacognosy is a master level course. The duration of this course is 2 yearlong of having 4 semesters and its syllabus curriculum is divided in 2 semesters. Pharmacognosy is the education of medicines derived from natural sources. It is the study of the interactivity that occur between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function. Its profession presenting in nature and provide various job scopes for the students after its successful completion.

The growing scope of medical sciences and their influence on the natural substances and resources have been providing numerous forms of medical relief in the field of healthcare through their healing capacities. The Faculty of Pharmacy offers a two-year postgraduate in Pharmacognosy which endeavors to provides the students with an enriching exposure to the various means and methods of healing patients. The field of pharmacognosy allows the students to the various forms of medicines which are derived from natural resources and throughout the study the students will get an enriching exposure to the interlinking which occurs between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function. The growing scope of the natural health industries such as AYUSH, have created a growing acceptance in the utility of natural substances therefore creating a market for experts who are trained in this field and the Pharmacognosy program has been designed to respond to these needs. As a way of providing the students with the most enriching practical exposure during their studies, the faculty laboratories which are equipped with instruments connected with widely used technologies like UV–Visible Spectroscopy, Infrared spectrophotometer, Flash chromatography and High-Performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) amongst others. The faculty is also affiliated with a 750 bedded multi-specialty hospital along with an Ayurveda Hospital which goes on to provide the students with the much-needed knowledge and understanding which they require to navigate the scope of this field. This program will prepare the students for their endless careers in the time to come.

• To learn and understand the advances in the field of cultivation and isolation of drugs of natural origin, various phytopharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and their medicinal use and health benefits.
• Students shall be equipped with the knowledge of natural product drug discovery and will be able to isolate, identify and extract and the phyto-constituents.
• To understand the Industrial and commercial potential of drugs of natural origin, integrate traditional Indian systems of medicine with modern medicine and to know regulatory and quality policy for the trade of herbals and drugs of natural origin.
• To explore the knowledge of Biotechnology and its application in the improvement of quality of medicinal plants.
• To know and understand the Adulteration and Deterioration that occurs in herbal/natural drugs and methods of detection of the same. Study of herbal remedies and their validations, including methods of screening.
• To make the students understand thoroughly the principles, preparations of medicines of various Indian systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha, Homeopathy and Unani. Also focusing on clinical research of traditional medicines, quality assurance and challenges in monitoring the safety of herbal medicines.
• This subject deal with the study of preparation and standardization of herbal/natural cosmetics. This subject gives emphasis to various national and international standards prescribed regarding herbal cosmeceuticals.

Structure of Program