Evaluation of Natural Products (PHG 431)

The course deals with the different criteria used for the evaluation of drugs from natural sources.  The study will cover the drugs both in the crude form as well as in the form of pharmaceutical preparations. The methods to evaluate physical, chemical, chromatographical and spectroscopic parameters will be discussed. In addition, the purity and cellular fingerprint properties will also be studied. The ways and methods for evaluation of natural products in biological fluids will also be emphasized. The current regulations of the Ministry of Health, Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and WHO guidelines concerning these drugs will be discussed as they pertain to each item. Detection of adulteration of herbal products by different methods will also be discussed.