Pharmacognosy with the Basics of Plant Biochemistry - Kovalyov V. M. 2004

Preface

Pharmacognosy holds a prominent place in The Development of pharmacy. As a core discipline in the professional training of pharmacists, it plays a pivotal role in addressing such pressing challenges as the creation of effective medicines from plant Materials, improving their quality, and ensuring the rational use of natural resources. Ukraine's integration into the global community, advancements in pharmaceutical, biochemical, and medical sciences, and updates to the pharmacognosy curriculum necessitated the creation of a new textbook for higher education institutions.

The first national textbook, "Pharmacognosy with the Basics of Plant Biochemistry," was prepared for publication by a team of scientists at the National University of Pharmacy under the guidance of Professor V. M. Kovalyov. The authors utilized periodical literature and reference guides, but the core of the text is based on the lecture course delivered by the Department of Pharmacognosy at the NUPh.

The textbook complies with the standard curriculum for pharmacist training and consists of general and special parts, along with an Appendix. The General Part outlines the modern objectives of pharmacognosy as a science, provides a brief Historical Overview of its development, and addresses the harvesting, primary Processing, and sustainable use of medicinal plant resources, as well as the conservation of flora. Recent advances in phytochemistry and pharmacology necessitated certain revisions to the Classification of plant materials based on their pharmacologically active constituents, as well as An Overview of the BIOLOGICAL Functions OF certain minerals. Furthermore, it reflects new requirements for the standardization of medicinal plant materials, alongside the development and Introduction of novel phytopharmaceuticals into production.

The Special Part contains dedicated sections presenting up-to-date information on classes of natural compounds, medicinal plants, medicinal plant materials, and raw materials of animal origin. All objects are grouped According to the chemical classification of their active constituents, taking biosynthetic pathways into account: primary metabolites (CARBOHYDRATES, Lipids, protein-derived substances) and secondary metabolites. For the first time, new classes of pharmacologically active plant-derived substances—such as Enzymes, Lectins, phytotoxins, Iridoids, Xanthones, and Prostaglandins—are characterized, the Selection/11.html">General features of all natural compound classes are systematized, and contemporary views on The Biosynthesis of each group of substances are provided.

Medicinal plants are described in individual monographs following a general layout that closely mirrors The Structure of a pharmacopoeial monograph: Latin, Ukrainian, and Russian names of the raw material, plant, and family, along with their most prominent synonyms. The Latin and Russian names of the Medicinal Plants and raw materials are given in accordance with current pharmacopoeial monographs, which is why they occasionally differ from conventional usage (e.g., Chamomilla, Matricaria). Traditional names are also retained as exceptions (e.g., Senecio plathyphylloides instead of Adenostyles plathyphylloides, or Sophora pachycarpa instead of the revised Vexibia pachycarpa). This is followed by a brief etymology of the generic and specific plant names. Descriptions of plant parts harvested as raw materials are highlighted in bold. Botanical descriptions are accompanied by illustrations, while bioecological data provide information on the distribution of the plant in Ukraine and other countries, as well as the origin (native habitat) of cultivated or imported useful plants. Sections on raw material harvesting also emphasize the need to protect endangered species. Terminology has been standardized, and The chemical composition of raw materials is updated based on recent scientific data. The book also describes plants whose medicines have recently appeared on the Ukrainian pharmaceutical market (such as Echinacea purpurea, Melissa officinalis, Viscum album, Juglans regia, Erigeron canadensis, Paronychia argentea [Erva lanata], Ginkgo biloba, Cynara cardunculus [artichoke], Taxus baccata, and others). Where medicinal plant materials contain groups of BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES that belong to different functional categories and have distinct Applications, their chemical composition is detailed across multiple sections of the textbook. For the first time, contemporary Perspectives on the pharmacological effects of plant materials used in homeopathy are also discussed.

The Ukrainian pharmaceutical market has seen the introduction of both domestic and imported dietary supplements containing medicinal plant materials or plant-derived substances. Some of these are unfamiliar not only to consumers but also to professionals; therefore, a dedicated section provides information on the Chemical composition of such materials and the potential risks associated with their prolonged and uncontrolled use.

The appendix includes tables detailing the Chemical Composition and applications of medicinal plant materials and phytopharmaceuticals containing specific classes of natural compounds.

The authors express their sincere gratitude to the staff of the Department of Pharmacognosy at the National University of Pharmacy, as well as to the reviewers—V. S. Dola, Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor, and HEAD of the Department of Pharmacognosy at Zaporizhzhia State Medical University, and R. Ye. Darmogray, Candidate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Associate Professor, and Head of the Department of Pharmacognosy at the Danylo Halytsky Lviv State Medical University—for their valuable and constructive feedback and advice, as well as to everyone who contributed to preparing the book for publication.