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Pharmacology for BAMS 2nd Year - Exam-Oriented Guide

This covers Dravyaguna Vijnana (Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Materia Medica) as per the NCISM/CCIM syllabus, plus the General (Modern) Pharmacology component that appears in Paper II. Written in simple language with exam-ready points.

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UNIT 1 - SAPTA PADARTHA (7 Fundamentals of Dravyaguna)

1. Dravya (Drug / Substance)

• Definition: Anything that has Guna (qualities) and Karma (action) is Dravya.
• Etymology: "Dru + ghyan" = that which flows/acts.
• Panchabhautikatwa: Every Dravya is made of 5 elements (Prithvi, Jal, Agni, Vayu, Akasha). No element exists alone - all 5 are present but one or two dominate.
• Classification of Dravya:
  • By origin: Sthavara (plant), Jangama (animal), Parthiva (mineral)
  • By Samhitas: Charaka gives 10 groups (Dashemani Ganas), Sushruta gives 37 Ganas
  • Taxonomical classification (modern): Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species

Exam tip: "Dravya is the substratum of Guna and Karma." - memorize this definition exactly.

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2. Rasa (Taste)

• Definition: That which is experienced on the tongue (rasana).
• Six Rasas:

• Anurasa: Secondary taste present in smaller amount
• Rasa Grahana: Rasa is perceived through Rasanendriya (tongue) + Tejo-Jala Mahabhuta

Exam tip: "Madhura, Amla, Lavana decrease Vata. Katu, Tikta, Kashaya increase Vata." Learn this row by row.

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3. Guna (Properties/Qualities)

• Definition: That which resides in Dravya and helps in performing Karma is Guna.
• Types:

Exam tip: Gurvadi Guna are the ones asked in exams. Learn the 10 pairs and at least one clinical use of Guru, Laghu, Ushna, Sheeta.

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4. Virya (Potency)

• Definition: That active principle of a drug by which it acts is Virya.
• Debate (Veerya Vada):
  • Dwivirya (2 types): Ushna (hot) and Sheeta (cold) - Charaka's view
  • Ashtavirya (8 types): Guru, Laghu, Ushna, Sheeta, Snigdha, Ruksha, Manda, Tikshna - Sushruta's view
• Importance: Virya is more powerful than Rasa in action. "Virya is stronger than Rasa."
• Virya vs Rasa example: Nimba (Neem) is Tikta in Rasa but Sheeta in Virya - its cooling action (Sheeta Virya) dominates.

Exam tip: Always remember - Virya > Rasa > Guna in terms of potency hierarchy (when conflicting, Virya wins).

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5. Vipaka (Post-digestive taste/metabolic transformation)

• Definition: The taste that appears after digestion (Paka = digestion) is Vipaka.
• Three Vipakas:
  • Madhura Vipaka: From Madhura + Lavana Rasa → nourishing, increases Kapha, aphrodisiac
  • Amla Vipaka: From Amla Rasa → increases Pitta, slightly increases Kapha
  • Katu Vipaka: From Katu + Tikta + Kashaya Rasa → drying, reduces Kapha, causes constipation

Memory trick: "M-A-K" → Madhura and Amla rasa give Madhura Vipaka... except Amla rasa gives Amla Vipaka. Katu, Tikta, Kashaya all give Katu Vipaka.

• Vipaka vs Rasa: Vipaka acts at a deeper level (post-absorption), Rasa acts at initial contact.

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6. Prabhava (Specific/Unexplained Action)

• Definition: The specific, inexplicable action of a drug that cannot be explained by Rasa, Guna, Virya, or Vipaka alone.
• Examples:
  • Haritaki: Tridosha shamaka despite having conflicting qualities
  • Ahiphena (opium): Causes constipation despite Ushna Virya (hot potency should cause diarrhea)
  • Sphatika (Alum): Styptic action cannot be explained by Rasa alone
• Concept: Prabhava = "specific potency" or "special power" - like a specific receptor mechanism in modern terms.

Exam tip: "Prabhava is stronger than all other Padartha." It overrides Rasa, Guna, Virya, and Vipaka.

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7. Karma (Action)

• Definition: That which produces a specific effect in the body is Karma.
• Types:
  • Samanya Karma: General action (e.g., all bitter drugs are anti-pyretic)
  • Vishesh Karma: Specific action (e.g., only Guduchi among bitters is also Rasayana)
• Sambandha (Relationship): Karma occurs due to Guna, which resides in Dravya. So: Dravya → Guna → Karma

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UNIT 2 - DASHEMANI GANA (Charaka's 10 Groups)

Exam tip: Know the action of each Gana and 2-3 representative drugs. Questions often ask: "Name the drugs of Brihmaniya Gana" or "Which gana is anti-inflammatory?"

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UNIT 3 - IMPORTANT INDIVIDUAL DRUGS (Must-Know 50 Drugs)

Top Tier Drugs (Asked Every Year)

• Rasa: All 6 except Lavana | Virya: Ushna | Vipaka: Madhura
• Karma: Tridosha shamaka, Rasayana, Laxative, Medhya
• Use: Constipation, voice disorders, eye diseases
• Special: Called "mother" of all drugs - Abhaya (fearless)

• Rasa: All 6 except Lavana, predominant Amla | Virya: Sheeta | Vipaka: Madhura
• Karma: Rasayana, Vata-Pitta shamaka, Rejuvenating
• Use: Best Rasayana, diabetes, bleeding disorders, hair growth

• Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya | Virya: Ushna | Vipaka: Madhura
• Karma: Rasayana, Brihmaniya, Balya, Vajikara, Vata shamaka
• Use: Fatigue, debility, infertility, anxiety, arthritis

• Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya | Virya: Ushna | Vipaka: Madhura
• Karma: Tridosha shamaka, Rasayana, Antipyretic, Immunomodulator
• Use: Fever (all types), diabetes, liver disease, autoimmune conditions

• Rasa: Madhura, Tikta | Virya: Sheeta | Vipaka: Madhura
• Karma: Rasayana, Vata-Pitta shamaka, Galactagogue, Aphrodisiac
• Use: Female reproductive disorders, lactation, acidity, general debility

• Rasa: Tikta | Virya: Sheeta | Vipaka: Katu
• Karma: Krimighna (anti-parasitic), Kushthaghna (skin), Deepana
• Use: Skin diseases, diabetes, worm infestation, fever

• Rasa: Tikta, Katu | Virya: Ushna | Vipaka: Katu
• Karma: Kushthaghna, Krimighna, Anti-inflammatory, Vrana shodhana
• Use: Wound healing, skin diseases, liver disorders, anti-inflammatory

• Rasa: Katu | Virya: Anushna-Sheeta (paradoxical - cold in direct action) | Vipaka: Madhura
• Karma: Deepana, Pachana, Kasa-Shwasa (respiratory), Anulomana
• Use: Respiratory diseases, digestive problems, liver disorders
• Special: Pippali Vardhamana Rasayana (gradual dose escalation)

• Rasa: Katu | Virya: Ushna | Vipaka: Madhura
• Karma: Deepana, Vata-Kapha shamaka, Anti-emetic, Analgesic
• Use: Nausea, indigestion, joint pain, cough

• Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya | Virya: Sheeta | Vipaka: Madhura
• Karma: Medhya (brain tonic), Rasayana, Unmada (anti-psychiatric)
• Use: Memory, anxiety, epilepsy, mental disorders

• Rasa: Tikta, Katu | Virya: Ushna | Vipaka: Katu
• Karma: Lekhana, Vata-Kapha shamaka, Anti-inflammatory, Hypolipidemic
• Use: Arthritis, obesity, lipid disorders, thyroid

• Rasa: Kashaya | Virya: Sheeta | Vipaka: Katu
• Karma: Hridya (cardiac tonic), Kaphahara, Styptic
• Use: Heart diseases, fracture healing, bleeding disorders

• Rasa: Madhura, Katu | Virya: Ushna | Vipaka: Madhura
• Karma: Vata hara (best), Virechana (purgative), Shothahara
• Use: Constipation, arthritis, lower back pain, edema

• Rasa: Tikta | Virya: Sheeta | Vipaka: Katu
• Karma: Pitta hara, Kaphahara, Liver protective, Deepana
• Use: Liver diseases, skin disorders, fever

• Rasa: Katu | Virya: Ushna | Vipaka: Katu
• Karma: Deepana (best), Pachana, Krimighna, Arsha (hemorrhoids)
• Use: Digestive weakness, hemorrhoids, skin diseases, anemia

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UNIT 4 - GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY (Modern - Paper II Section)

Definition and Scope

• Pharmacokinetics (PK) = What the body does to the drug (ADME)
• Pharmacodynamics (PD) = What the drug does to the body (mechanism of action)
• Pharmacognosy = Study of natural drugs (plant/animal origin)
• Pharmacy = Preparation and dispensing of drugs
• Toxicology = Study of poisons and antidotes
• Chemotherapy = Treatment of infections/cancer using drugs

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Pharmacokinetics - ADME

• Movement of drug from site of administration to blood
• Factors affecting: Route, pH, ionization, lipid solubility, blood flow, food
• Routes: Oral (first pass), Sublingual (no first pass), IV (100% bioavailability), IM, SC, Inhalation, Topical, Rectal

• Drug spreads from blood to tissues
• Volume of Distribution (Vd): Higher Vd = drug distributes widely into tissues
• Blood-Brain Barrier: Only lipid-soluble drugs cross (e.g., general anesthetics)
• Plasma protein binding: Albumin binds acidic drugs; alpha-1-acid glycoprotein binds basic drugs

• Mainly in liver (hepatic first-pass effect)
• Phase 1: Oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis (CYP450 enzymes)
• Phase 2: Conjugation (glucuronidation, sulfation - makes drug water-soluble)
• Enzyme Induction (e.g., Rifampicin, Phenytoin) = speeds up metabolism = lower drug levels
• Enzyme Inhibition (e.g., Ketoconazole, Erythromycin) = slows metabolism = higher drug levels (toxicity risk)

• Primarily kidney (urine)
• Also bile/feces, lungs (volatile drugs), breast milk, saliva, sweat
• Half-life (t½): Time for drug concentration to reduce by 50%
• Steady state reached after 4-5 half-lives

Exam tip: Draw the ADME flow chart: Drug → Absorption → Blood → Distribution → Tissues ↔ Receptor (effect) → Metabolism (liver) → Excretion (kidney)

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Pharmacodynamics

1. Receptor-mediated: Most drugs act on receptors (proteins on cell surface or inside cells)
   • Agonist = binds receptor + activates it
   • Antagonist = binds receptor but does NOT activate (blocks agonist)
   • Partial agonist = binds + partially activates
2. Enzyme inhibition: e.g., Aspirin inhibits COX enzyme → blocks prostaglandin synthesis
3. Ion channel blockade: e.g., Local anesthetics block Na+ channels
4. Physicochemical mechanism: e.g., Antacids neutralize stomach acid chemically

• ED50: Dose effective in 50% of subjects
• LD50: Lethal dose in 50% of subjects
• Therapeutic Index (TI) = LD50/ED50 → Higher TI = safer drug

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Drug Classes - Brief Notes for Exams

CNS Drugs

Cardiovascular Drugs

Analgesics & Antipyretics

• NSAIDs: Aspirin, Ibuprofen - Inhibit COX-1 & COX-2 → Block prostaglandins → Analgesic + anti-inflammatory + antipyretic
• Paracetamol: COX inhibition in CNS → Antipyretic + analgesic. No anti-inflammatory action peripherally.
• Opioids: Morphine acts on mu-opioid receptors → Strong analgesic, respiratory depression

Respiratory Drugs

• Bronchodilators: Salbutamol (Beta-2 agonist), Theophylline (PDE inhibitor) - Bronchial asthma
• Expectorants: Ammonium chloride, Guaifenesin - Loosen mucus
• Antitussives: Codeine - Suppress cough
• Antihistamines: Cetirizine, Chlorpheniramine - Block H1 receptors, anti-allergic

GI Drugs

• Antacids: Neutralize HCl (Mg(OH)2, Al(OH)3)
• H2 blockers: Ranitidine - Block H2 receptors on parietal cells → reduce acid
• PPIs: Omeprazole - Block H+/K+ ATPase pump → most effective for ulcer
• Laxatives: Lactulose (osmotic), Bisacodyl (stimulant), Psyllium (bulk-forming)
• Antidiarrhoeals: Loperamide (slows gut motility), ORS
• Antiemetics: Ondansetron (5-HT3 blocker), Metoclopramide (D2 blocker)

Antimicrobials

• Beta-lactams (Penicillins, Cephalosporins): Inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis
• Aminoglycosides (Gentamicin): Inhibit 30S ribosome → protein synthesis inhibition
• Macrolides (Erythromycin): Inhibit 50S ribosome
• Fluoroquinolones (Ciprofloxacin): Inhibit DNA gyrase
• Antifungals: Fluconazole (ergosterol synthesis inhibitor)
• Antimalarials: Chloroquine (heme detox inhibition), Artemisinin
• Antihelmintics: Albendazole (microtubule disruption)

Hormonal & Endocrine Drugs

• Antidiabetics: Metformin (biguanide - reduces hepatic glucose output), Insulin (type 1 DM)
• Antithyroid: Carbimazole, Propylthiouracil (PTU) - Block thyroid hormone synthesis
• Glucocorticoids: Prednisolone - Anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive
• Oxytocics: Oxytocin, Ergometrine - Uterine contractions, used in labor
• Galactagogues: Domperidone, Metoclopramide - Increase prolactin → milk production
• Contraceptives: Combined OCP (estrogen + progestin) - Inhibit ovulation

Diuretics

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UNIT 5 - ABHAVA PRATINIDHI DRAVYA (Substitutes)

• Definition: When original drug is unavailable, a similar drug used as substitute = Abhava Pratinidhi.
• Basis of substitution: Same Rasa, Guna, Virya, Vipaka, and Karma as original.
• Examples:
  • Nagakeshara → Priyangu (substitute)
  • Jeevaka-Rishabhaka → Ashwagandha, Shatavari (substitutes in formulations)
  • Shankha → Kaparda (cowrie shell substitute)
• Importance in exam: Concept question "What is Abhava Pratinidhi? Give examples."

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UNIT 6 - DOSE & DOSAGE FORMS (Matra & Kalpana)

Matra (Dose)

• Swarasa (juice): 10-20 ml
• Kalka (paste): 12 g
• Kwatha (decoction): 40-80 ml
• Hima (cold infusion): 40-80 ml
• Phanta (hot infusion): 40-80 ml

Panchavidha Kashaya Kalpana (5 Preparations)

1. Swarasa - Fresh juice (most potent)
2. Kalka - Paste
3. Kwatha - Decoction (boiling)
4. Hima - Cold infusion (overnight)
5. Phanta - Hot infusion (steeping)

Exam tip: This order comes up in almost every exam. The ratio of drug to water: Kwatha = 1:16 drug:water, boiled to 1/4th.

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UNIT 7 - ADULTERANTS & IDENTIFICATION

• Adulterant = A cheaper or harmful substance mixed to increase quantity or profit.
• Grahya-Agrahya (Acceptable-Unacceptable qualities): Each drug has standards for color, smell, taste, texture.
• Examples of adulteration:
  • Saffron (Kumkuma) - adulterated with colored fibers or safflower
  • Ashwagandha root - mixed with other Solanaceae roots
  • Haritaki - unripe fruits used instead of ripe ones
• Substitution vs Adulteration: Substitution is intentional and known; adulteration is fraudulent.

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UNIT 8 - RASAPANCHAKA / DRUG ACTION PRINCIPLES

• "Samanya (similar) increases, Vishesha (dissimilar) decreases"
• Example: Ushna Virya drugs increase Pitta (both are hot) → Samanya
• Cold water decreases Pitta → Vishesha

• Vata is reduced by: Madhura, Amla, Lavana rasa; Snigdha, Ushna, Guru guna
• Pitta is reduced by: Madhura, Tikta, Kashaya rasa; Sheeta, Laghu guna
• Kapha is reduced by: Katu, Tikta, Kashaya rasa; Laghu, Ruksha, Ushna guna

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Quick Revision Table - Exam Shortcuts

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Exam Strategy for BAMS Pharmacology

• Paper I: Dravyaguna theory (Sapta Padartha, individual drugs, Ganas)
• Paper II Part A: More individual drug knowledge, formulations
• Paper II Part B (30 marks): General/Modern Pharmacology

1. Start with definition (1-2 lines)
2. Give classification with headings
3. Write examples for each point
4. End with importance in Ayurvedic context for Dravyaguna questions
5. For modern pharmacology: Mechanism + Example drug + Use

• Sapta Padartha (define each)
• Dashemani Ganas (list and action)
• Individual drug profiles (at least 20 drugs)
• Panchavidha Kashaya Kalpana
• ADME (pharmacokinetics)
• NSAIDs mechanism
• Antihypertensive drug classes
• Antimicrobial mechanisms

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