Experimental Pharmacology: Past and Present

Distinctions between the useful actions of drugs and their toxic effects were recognized thousands of years ago. As people tried plant, animal, and mineral materials for possible use as foods, they noted both the toxic and the therapeutic actions of some of these materials. Past civilizations contributed to our present knowledge of drugs and drug preparations. In India Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani systems of medicine provide healthcare for a large part of the population. The word Ayurveda is composed of two parts: Ayu (= life) and Veda (= knowledge). Sage Bhardwaja got this science from Lord Indra and documented as Vedas, hence he is considered as ‘father of Ayurveda’ by many authors. Scholars of Ayurveda had placed the origins of this science of life at sometime around 6000 BC. The principles were recorded in great detail in compendia, which are called Samhitas. Ancient Chinese writings and Egyptian medical papyri represent the earliest compilations of pharmacological knowledge. They included rough classifications of diseases to be treated, and recommended prescriptions for such diseases. While other civilizations made their own discoveries of the medicinal value of some plants. The introduction of many drugs from the new world in the 17^th century stimulated experimentation on crude preparations. These experiments were conducted chiefly to get some ideas about the possible toxic dosage for such drugs as tobacco, nux vomica, ipecac, cinchona bark and coca leaves. By the 18th century, many such descriptive studies were being conducted. 

It was in the German universities during the second half of the 19th century that pharmacology really began to emerge as a well-defined discipline. The bold vision of Rudolf Buchheim, who was appointed to teach material medica at the University of Dorpat in Estonia, created the first pharmacology laboratory at his own house. He established the first institute of pharmacology at the University of Dorpat in 1847.

In 1872, Oswald Schmiedeberg, who received research training in Buchheim’s laboratory, became professor of pharmacology at Strasbourg, regarded as ‘Father of Pharmacology’. Schmiedeberg with his many students from all over the world worked in his pharmacological institute and propounded some of the fundamental concepts in pharmacology. His students later occupied 40 academic chairs in pharmacology departments throughout the world. One of the most eminent of his many distinguished pupils was John Jacob Abel, who brought the new science of experimental pharmacology from Germany to the USA. In the beginning of the 20th century, Paul Ehrlich conceived the idea of specifically seeking special chemical agents with which to treat infections selectively (propounded the “magic bullet” theory), and is thus considered as the ‘Father of Chemotherapy’.

In India, the evolution of pharmacology from material medica is a mirror image of global scenario. Sir Ram Nath Chopra obtained training at Cambridge University in 1908. After arriving to India, he was appointed as the first professor of pharmacology in 1921 and set up experimental pharmacology laboratory at the Tropical School of Medicine in Kolkata. He made the beginning in pharmacological research of traditional drugs; helped the growth of pharmacology in different medical, dental, pharmacy and veterinary colleges. Hence sir Ram Nath Chopra is known as ‘Father of Indian Pharmacology’. M.N. Ghosh, R.B. Arora, U.K. Sheth, P.C. Dandiya, K.P. Bhargava, B. Mukharji are the other pharmacologists who have contributed a lot for the growth of pharmacology discipline in India by their stupendous work.

The progress and contribution of 20th century pharmacology have been immense, with over twenty pharmacologists having received Nobel prizes. Their contributions include discoveries of many important drugs, neurotransmitters and second messengers, as well as an understanding of a number of physiological and biochemical processes. The field of pharmacology in general and the development of highly effective new drugs in particular have increased during the last half of the 20th century. This unprecedented progress has paralleled similar advancement in related disciplines upon which pharmacology builds: molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, anatomy and the development of new analytical and experimental techniques and instruments. Within the main subject, fall a number of compartments e.g. neuropharmacology, immunopharmacology, molecular pharmacology, chemotherapy, systems pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics, pharmacoepidemiology, pharmacoeconomics etc.

Francois Magendie (1783-1855)	Claude Bernard (1813-1878)	Rudolf Buchheim (1820-1879)
Oswald Schmiedeberg (1838-1921)	Paul Ehrlich (1854-1915)	Sir Ram Nath Chopra (1882-1973)

 Figure 1: Pioneers of Pharmacology

Table 1: Pharmacologists and their outstanding achievements

Name of Scientist	Outstanding achievements
Francois Magendie (1783-1855)	Pioneer of experimental physiology
Claude Bernard (1813-1878)	Father of Physiology
Rudolf Buchheim (1820-1879)	Pioneer of experimental pharmacology
Oswald Schmiedeberg (1838-1921)	Father of Pharmacology
John Jacob Abel (1857-1938)	Father of American pharmacology
Paul Ehrlich (1854-1915)	Father of chemotherapy
Louis Lasagna (1923-2003)	Father of clinical pharmacology
Sir Ram Nath Chopra (1882-1973)	Father of Indian pharmacology

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