The basic knowledge of the botany is the main purpose of this course, moreover, the description of the main secondary metabolites are take into account. The knowledge of botany is necessary for the description of the more useful medicinal plant some of these are discuss in the second part of the course. The knowledge of the secondary metabolite will be helpful in the study of the compounds synthesized by medicinal plants that are the basis of the drug actions. The course is planned in a way that the undergraduate will be self-sufficient in the grasp of the medicinal plants other than that are discussed during the course.

First  part

Botany systematics. Parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma. Apical meristems, xylem, phloem, secretory cells and tissues, epidermis. Root: structure of the root primary and secondary  body, mycorrhizae. Stem: development of the stele, structure of the stem primary and secondary  body, unusual steles. Leaf: structure of foliage leaves, morphology, development. Flower: morphology. Seed: concepts, embryo development. Fruit: morphology and botanic classification.

Second part

Plant taxonomy : identification and classification of plants. System of rules that standardizes scientific classification. Description of the main botany families. Description of the main medicinal plants.

Third part

Phytochemistry. Chemical description of the secondary metabolites. Monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, cyclitols, branched-chain sugars and sugar alcohols, cellulose, starch, fructans, mannose-based polysaccharides, pectic polysaccharides, chitin, exudate gums, algal polysaccharides. Terpenoids: mevalonate pathway, monoterpenoids, iridoids, sesquiterpenoids, sesquiterpenoid lactones, abscisic acid, diterpenoids, gibberellins, triterpenoids, cardenolides, phytosterols, saponins, carotenoids, rubber and related polyprenols, degraded terpenoids, sesterterpenoids. Essential oils. Phenolics: shikimate pathway, polyketides pathway, phenols and phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids (cinnamic acid derivatives, coumarins, and chromones), lignins, stilbenes, flavones and flavonols, chalcones and aurones, flavanoids, anthocyanins, biflavonoids, tannins, isoflavonoids, quinones, xanthones. Amines, cyanogenic glycosides, alkaloids (tropane alkaloids, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, quinolizidine alkaloids, pyrrole alkaloids, pyrrolidine alkaloids, pyridine alkaloids, piperidine alkaloids, quinoline alkaloids, indole alkaloids, isoquinoline alkaloids, diterpenoid alkaloids, steroidal alkaloids, polyhydroxy alkaloids), betalains. Glucosinolate, dithiacyclohexadienes, and thiophenes.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Graduates will be able to recognize the most common medicinal plants and the related phytochemical compounds

Knowledge and understanding

This course gives a useful bit of botanical information on medicinal plants and is a preparatory course to other course concerning the pharmacognosy.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Classroom lessons with audiovisual aids

Attendance

Attendance is compulsory

Course books

E. Maugini, L. Maleci Bini, M. Mariotti Lippi. Manuale di Botanica Farmaceutica.Ed. Piccin.

B. Tirillini. Fondamenti di Fitochimica. Ed. Akros, Arbizzano di Negrar.

B. Tirillini. Test di Fitochimica – Con integrazioni di biologia vegetale. Ed. Aracne.

Assessment

Written test (multiple-choice)

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching