Discoveries in pharmacological sciences / Popat N. Patil.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Patil, Popat N., 1934-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Pharmacology--History.

Pharmacology.

History.

Drugs--Research--History.

Drugs.

Drug development--History.

Drug development.

Drug Discovery--history.

Pharmacology--history.

Drugs--Research.

Medical Subjects:

Drug Discovery--history.

Pharmacology--history.

Physical Description:

xiv, 778 pages : illustrations (some color), maps ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Singapore ; Hackensack, NJ : World Scientific, [2012]

Summary:

Throughout history, the perpetuation of species, the need for survival, and human curiosity, intelligence and skills provided the basis for the development of drug science. This unique book contains the history of herbal medicine as it emerged about 5,000 years ago.

Recent discoveries in genetics are integrated with the observations in the past. It is important to note that plants containing morphine, quinine, physostigmine, pilocarpine, atropine, (+)-tubocurarine, reserpine, tetrahydrocannabinol, cardiac glycosides, ephedrine and colchicine were used by various cultures for centuries. Since 1805 pure, active, therapeutic constituents were isolated and chemically characterized. Parallel to these developments, the science of human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics and pharmacology has advanced. New synthetic drugs were discovered. The chemistry of perfumes and sensory functions including memory were elucidated. The history of fascinating discoveries made by scientists of Nobel prize-winning repute is documented. Better testing methods were developed. The causes of many diseases were better understood. Drug laws were instituted a century ago. The pharmaceutical industry flourished. The text provides a panoramic view of the understanding of when, where, who, how and why drugs were developed. Educational aspects of teaching pharmacological sciences are reviewed. The historical account will be useful to graduate students and creative scientists, who can prepare for the future.

The book contains a well-integrated wealth of information in drug sciences and pharmacotherapeutics. The human side of investigators, their portraits with biographical sketches are presented. The development of the scientific thoughts and creativity of the investigators through the ages in drug research are presented admirably. Book jacket.

Contents:

Evolution, human migration, diseases, and treatments

Ancient medicine and the discovery of natural therapeutic agents

History of anesthesia, acupuncture, hypnosis, mesmerism, anesthetics, and hypnotics

Emergence of modern medicine

Contributions of anatomists and physiologists to the neurofunctional outline of the nervous system

Pharmacology comes of age

Discovery of receptors and related events : a century of receptors and transduction

Development of drug laws and quantitation

Drug discoveries

Growth of the drug industry, research institutions, and universities.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9789814355070

9814355070

OCLC:

709667020