BP603T. HERBAL DRUG TECHNOLOGY (Theory)

Unit-I

Herbs as raw materials:

• Definition of herb, herbal medicine, herbal medicinal product, herbal drug preparation.
• Source of herbs: Selection, identification, authentication, and processing of herbal raw materials.
• Biodynamic Agriculture:
• Good agricultural practices (GAP) in medicinal plant cultivation.
• Organic farming principles.
• Pest management: Biopesticides and bioinsecticides.
• Indian Systems of Medicine:
• Basic principles of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy, and Chinese systems.
• Standardization of Ayurvedic formulations (Arishta, Asava, Ghutika, Churna, Lehya, Bhasma).

Unit-II

Nutraceuticals:

• General aspects, market growth, scope, and types of nutraceutical products.
• Health benefits and role in managing ailments:
• Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Study of herbs as health foods:
• Alfa-alfa, Chicory, Ginger, Fenugreek, Garlic, Honey, Amla, Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Spirulina.
• Herbal-Drug and Herb-Food Interactions:
• Mechanisms and examples (e.g., Hypericum, Kava-Kava, Ginkgo biloba, Ephedra).

Unit-III

Herbal Cosmetics:

• Sources and raw materials:
• Fixed oils, waxes, gums, colors, perfumes, protective agents, antioxidants.
• Formulation of herbal products:
• Skin care (creams, lotions), hair care (shampoos), oral hygiene (toothpaste).
• Herbal excipients:
• Natural colorants, sweeteners, binders, diluents, disintegrants, flavors, and perfumes.
• Herbal formulations:
• Conventional (syrups, tablets) and novel dosage forms (phytosomes).

Unit-IV

Evaluation of Herbal Drugs:

• WHO and ICH guidelines for quality assessment.
• Methods: Organoleptic, microscopic, physical, chemical, and biological evaluations.
• Stability testing of herbal drugs.
• Patenting and Regulatory Requirements:
• Definitions: Patent, IPR, bioprospecting, biopiracy.
• Case studies: Turmeric (Curcuma) and Neem patents.
• Regulatory frameworks in India (ASU DTAB, ASU DCC, Schedule Z of Drugs & Cosmetics Act).

Unit-V

General Introduction to Herbal Industry:

• Scope, challenges, and future prospects of herbal industries.
• Key institutions in India: CIMAP, NBRI, CDRI, RRL.
• Schedule T – GMP for Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani medicines:
• Infrastructure requirements, SOPs, documentation, hygiene, and quality audits.
• Industrial Training:
• Compliance with GMP standards for herbal product manufacturing.