Learning objectives
The educational goal of the course is to provide students with knowledge of the main classes of chemical compounds present in plant drugs, with particular emphasis on their chemical structure and the biological activity they exert.
Prerequisites
The Phytochemistry exam must be preceded by the General and Inorganic Chemistry exam.
Good knowledge of basic Organic Chemistry is also recommended.
Course unit content
* Active ingredients of medicinal plants
* Chemico-pharmaceutical and toxicological characteristics of the chemical constituents of medicinal plants:
-organic acids
-alkaloids
-balsams
-carbohydrates
-enzymes
-heterosides
-rubbers
-mucilage
-essential oils
-bitter principles
-resins
-tannins
-vitamins
* Official Italian Pharmacopeia and other Pharmacopeias
* Quality control of medicinal plants and their derivatives
Bibliography
PEDRETTI M., Chimica e Farmacologia delle Piante Medicinali, Studio Edizioni, Milano.
TIRILLINI B., Fondamenti di Fitochimica, Akros Edizioni, Arbizzano di Negrar, Verona.
BRUNI A., Farmacognosia Generale ed Applicata, Casa Editrice Piccin, Padova.
CAPASSO F., GRANDOLINI G., IZZO A., Fitoterapia, Edizioni Springer, Milano.
CAPASSO F., BORRELLI F., CASTALDO S., GRANDOLINI G., Fitofarmacovigilanza, Edizioni Springer, Milano.
MINISTERO DELLA SALUTE, Farmacopea Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana - XII Edizione, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, Roma.
Teaching methods
Oral lesson. Oral lectures are carried out using audiovisual aids which are placed at students’ disposal for study purposes.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam. The final oral exam focuses on all of the topics included in the course syllabus. The student must demonstrate that he/she has understood the fundamental concepts for each topic and that he/she is able to use them.
