Academic Programs

Head of Department: Dr. Khizar Abbas
Official Contact No.: 0092619210455
Official Email Address: pharmacognosy@bzu.edu.pk
Departmental Student Advisor: Dr. Hafiz Abdul Khaliq
Departmental Examination Incharge: Dr. Hafiz Abdul Khaliq

The Department of Pharmacognosy within the Faculty of Pharmacy at Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan was established in October 2017. Pharmacognosy, as a discipline, delves into the scientific study of bioactive natural substances present in plants, animals, microbes, minerals, and more recently, marine organisms. Researchers in this field investigate new therapeutic agents from natural resources, evaluate biological activities of the substances obtained from natural sources, herb-drug interactions, and phytotherapy. The Department of Pharmacognosy is well equipped with an undergraduate research laboratory, a crude drug museum, herbarium specimens encompassing a variety of plant materials, and modern equipment pivotal for extraction and isolations of natural medicinal compounds.

Focused Research Areas

Extraction and isolation of bioactive phytochemicals; Antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities of crude extracts and phytochemicals; Extraction of fixed oils; Cosmeceuticals; Dosage form development of herbal products; Quality control analysis of herbal products; Obesity; Multidrug resistance (MDR).

Program

The Department of Pharmacognosy is offering M.Phil. in Pharmacognosy recognized by Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Pharmacy Council of Pakistan.

Library and Computer Lab Facilities

An air-conditioned library, equipped with an ample collection of textbooks, reference volumes, and research journals, has been established within the Faculty of Pharmacy. This repository caters not only to various disciplines of Pharmacy but also spans across the diverse specializations within Pharmacognosy. Students have access to these resources on a loan basis, facilitated through the university’s lending system. Furthermore, the computer lab is furnished with internet facilities, serving as a critical component in upholding the rigorous educational standards within the field of Pharmacy and Pharmacognosy.

Laboratory Facilities

The Department houses modern laboratory facilities and is equipped with the following equipment/instruments:

• Analytical balance
• Binocular microscopes (electric)
• A binocular microscope with attached camera
• Cold press for the extraction of fixed oils
• Deep frying oil tester
• Distillation apparatus
• Filtration pump
• Fraction collector
• Hot plate with magnetic stirrer
• Lyophilizer (freeze dryer)
• Microtome
• Muffle furnace
• Refrigerator
• Rotary evaporator
• Soxhlet apparatus
• Spectrophotometer
• Vortex mixer
• Water bath

Industrial and Medicinal Plants Collection Tours

Throughout their academic tenure, as part of their practical and professional training, students go on industrial tours to various pharmaceutical industries and laboratories and partake in medicinal plant collection excursions to different parts of the country. The department maintains active liaisons with diverse employing organizations, hospitals, pharmacies, and pharmaceutical institutions, facilitating opportunities for students seeking employment within the field.

Animal House Facility

An Animal House Facility has been established within the Faculty of Pharmacy in compliance with the guidelines proposed by International Organizations. Presently, the facility encompasses air-conditioned rooms for the experimental animals, specifically Sprague Dawley rats and BALB/c mice. These animals are intended for utilization in experiments conducted by M.Phil. research students.