Starting from microscopy, pharmacognosy has evolved into a high-tech science over the last 40 years. Today, it plays an essential role in the field of pharmaceutical sciences through the discovery, identification and development of bioactive compounds from natural sources. Studies on plants used in traditional European, North American, African and Asian medicine are conducted with the aim of identifying bioactive ingredients and finding new lead compounds.
Pharmacognosy is divided into the following areas
Pharmaceutical studies
The main interests are in the field of plant constituents with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, with particular emphasis on antifungal and antibiotic resistance modulating activity. Inhibition of leukotriene biosynthesis in human granulocytes by 5-LOX and inhibition of 12(S)-HETE formation by 12-LOX in human platelets as cellular assays and inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis by COX-1 and COX-2 as enzymatic in vitro assays are established in our department for screening and testing of extracts and pure compounds with anti-inflammatory activity. To study antibiotic resistance modulating effects, a cellular model with Mycobacterium smegmatis has been established, allowing the accumulation and efflux of ethidium bromide as a substrate of many efflux pumps. In the field of molecular biology, NFkB and COX-2 in vitro assays are used to study the expression of genes involved in inflammatory responses. Other tests deal with the inhibition of iNOS. Intensive collaborations exist with the Medical University of Graz, the German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg, the UCL School of Pharmacy and Birkbeck College, London, and the University of Ljubljana.
Isolation, identification and structure elucidation
International collaboration with researchers in different parts of Europe, Africa, Asia and North America has provided access to interesting sources of new plant material with diverse and unexplored phytochemistry. Isolation of bioactive constituents is achieved through the use of chromatographic tools (LC, MPLC, HPLC), while means for NMR structure elucidation are provided through an internal collaboration with the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
Biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic studies
Pharmacognosists at the University of Graz are leading the design and conduct of biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic studies on bioactive constituents of herbal medicinal products of Echinacea species.
Analyses and quality control
The safety of herbal medicinal products is an important concern in phytomedicine. The department offers evaluation of cultivated medicinal plants and support in standardization and quality control. TLC, GC, GC-MS, HPLC and LC-MS are regularly used for analysis and quality control. One focus is the development of monographs for the European Pharmacopoeia Commission. We have expertise in European regulatory affairs for herbal medicines and develop quality control methods for Chinese herbs.