Learning objectives
Knowledge and understanding skills
1) To acquire the basic notions of pharmacognosy (drug, phytocomplex, active principles, technological processes, phytochemistry, classification of active principles)
2) To know the botanical name of the principal botanicals
3) To acquire preliminary pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic notions to understand the pharmacological activity of natural substances.
4) To know the pharmacological activity of the main natural molecules and their mechanisms of action
5) To acquire ability in using the specific language of the discipline.
Knowledge and understanding applied skills
1) To apply the knowledge of the mechanisms of action of the natural molecules to define their pharmacological activity and use
Judgment autonomy
1) To evaluate the validity of a phytotherapy product in independent manner
Communicative Skills
1) To possess the ability to synthesize information and effectively communicate it to specialists and non-specialists.
Learning Skills
1) Develop skills and methodology that will allow you to study in a highly independent way.
2) Updating the knowledge through the consultation of scientific databases
Prerequisites
There are not prerequisites. Basic knowledge of general chemistry, animal biology and anatomy may help the students in the comprehension of the matter
Course unit content
First part: general aspects on drugs, herbal drugs, dietary supplements, homeopathic products; basic concepts of pharmacognosy; preparation of herbal drugs; basics of pharmacology.
Second part: general aspects of phytochemistry; the active principles in the botanicals.
Third part: therapeutical applications of herbal drugs; methods of bibliographic research
Full programme
FIRST PART: BASIC KNOWLEDGE
General aspects on drugs, herbal drugs, dietary supplements, homeopathic products.
Traditional medicine, phytotherapy, dietary supplementation, homeopathy.
Definition of botanicals, drug, phytocomplex and active compounds.
Basics of general pharmacology: pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics.
Technology of natural medical products: harvesting, drying, grinding, squeezing, enfleurage, distillation, extraction.
Drug acquisition and preservation.
Galenical preparations: tinctures, extracts, infusions, essential oils, hydrolates, juices.
SECOND PART: PHYTOCHEMISTRY
Phytochemisty and secondary metabolic pathways
Chemistry and pharmacological activity of the vegetal active principles
- carbohydrates: monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, homogeneous and heterogeneous polysacchrides
- glycosides: cardioactive, cyanogenics, sulphurated, antraquinones, saponins.
- alkaloids: purinergics, tropanics, isoquinolics, indolics, quinolinics.
- lipids: oils, fats, waxes.
-polyphenols: flavonoids, lignans, tannins, phenylpropanoids, cumarins
- essential oils
THIRD PART: THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS
Drugs acting on gastrointestinal system
Carminatives: Foeniculum vulgare, Pimpinella anisum, Illicium verum, Ilicium Anisatum,
Gastritis: Matricaria recutita, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Althea officinalis, alginates, aloe gel
Laxatives: insoluble fibers, soluble fibers, manna, Rhamnus frangula, Rhamnus purshiana, Cassia spp, Aloe juice
spp, Rheum spp.
Drugs acting on the central nervous system
-Cannabis
- Stimolants: Coffea arabica, Thea sinensis, Theobroma cacao, Cola spp, Ilex
paraguayensis, Paullinia cupana
-Sedative: Valeriana officinalis, Passiflora incarnata, Melissa officinalis, humulus lupulus
-antidepressant; Hypericum perforatum
Drugs and herbal compounds acting on cardiovascular system
- Hypolipidemis: Cynara scolimus, Allium sativum, red yeast rice, phytosterol, omega 3 fatty acids
- Peripheral vascular disorders : Aesculus hippocastanum, Hamamelis virginiana, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ruscus aculeatus
Drugs acting on respiratory system
- Expectorants: Hedera helix, Poligala senega, Eucaliptus globulus, Melaleuca spp, Menta piperita, Pimpinella anisum, Foeniculum vulgare, Myroxylon pereire, Myroxylon balsamum.
- Cough: Althaea officinalis, Malva sylvestris, codeine.
Drugs active on immune system:
- aloe spp., Eleuterococcus senticosus Maxim, Uncaria tomentosa, Astragalus membranaceus Fisch, Echinacea spp.
Bibliographic research with scientific databases in order to have solid information
Bibliography
M.Tognolini, - Principi di Farmacognosia e Fitoterapia, seconda edizione - UNINOVA
G. Fassina, E. Ragazzi-Lezione di Farmacognosia Droghe vegetali- CEDAM
P.M. Dewick- Chimica, biosintesi e bioattività delle sostanze naturali- Ed PICCIN
Teaching methods
The lessons will be frontal and will be complemented by online bibliographic research in order to provide students with the ability to know reliable databases from which to obtain information on phytotherapy products.
The slides used to support lessons, as an integral part of the teaching material, will be uploaded weekly on the Elly platform.
In the event of a protracted health emergency, mixed or fully online teaching will be adopted, with remote lessons organized via Teams.
In this case, videolessons will registered and available for one week on Teams platform.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination, to be performed together with Plant Biology (they are a single exam, both modules must be sufficient to overcome it).
Scale of assessment: 0-30
Weights and evaluation criteria:
1) Acquired knowledge (up to 15/30);
2) Ability to apply the acquired knowledge and to make connections between the covered topics (up to 10/30);
3) capacity to communicate concepts through the use of the specific language of the discipline (up to 5/30).
If due to the persistence of the health emergency it is necessary to carry out the exam remotely, the platform Teams will be used.
Other information
The teacher is available to meet the students in the office or via Teams. Ask for an appointment at:
email: ilaria.zanotti@unipr.it
tel: 0521 905040
