The aim of the course is to provide the student with the concepts regarding the recognition, composition and biological effects of substances of natural origin and the active ingredients contained in them, in order to use them for therapeutic purposes in pharmacies, industry, or in the scientific research. In particular, the course will build up the knowledge on herbal drugs in the following aspects: Therapeutic properties and medical use, traditional use, contraindications, toxic effects, pharmacological activity, main metabolites, bioactive metabolites, recognition and identification (morphological characteristics, organoleptic properties), origin and sophistication.

Definition and purposes of pharmacognosy; drug definition and classification. Variability in drug activity: endogenous, exogenous and preparation-dependent natural factors. Conservation of drugs. Drug analysis: identification, quality control. Identification, distinctive characteristics, contained active principles, therapeutic uses, toxic effects, medicinal preparations, of the following drugs: Carbohydrate-containing drugs (monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, polysaccharides of algae, gums and mucilages). Lipid-containing drugs (oils and fats, waxes). Drugs containing glycosides (anthraquinone, cyan genes, sulphides, soap, alcohol, phenolic). Drugs containing phenylpropanoids (coumarins, lignans, flavonoids, tannins). Drugs containing alkaloids (phenylalkylamin alkaloids, isokinolic alkaloids, indolic alkaloids, quinolinic alkaloids, pyridine and piperidine alkaloids, tropanic alkaloids, purine alkaloids). Plant-based anticancer drugs. Drugs acting on the SNA - Sympathomimetics: coca, ephedra - Sympatholytics: rauwolfia - Parasympathomimetics: Amanita muscaria, Calabar bean, jaborandi - Parasympathetic policies: nightshade, henbane, thorn - Ganglionic drugs: tobacco - Drugs acting on the neuromuscular plaque: curaries  CNS acting drugs - Exciting: caffeic drugs, coca, ephedra - Depressions: opium, rauwolfia - Other drugs used for recreational or ritual purposes: Amanita muscaria, Indian hemp, khat, peyote, psilocybe. Lysergic acid derivatives. drugs with anti-inflammatory action; gastrointestinal system and digestive function; respiratory system; kidneys and urinary tract; endocrine system; skeletal muscle system; breeding system; skin system; immune system.

The students must have successfully passed the exams of Plant Biology and General Physiology.

At the end of the course the student acquires the skills on the knowledge of herbal drugs, their origin and their content in ingredients; knows and applies identification criteria, the presence of distinctive characteristics, the active principles contained and acquires the skills on the therapeutic uses and toxic effects of the main drugs of plant origin.

Knowledge and Understanding: The students will achieve knowledge on molecular mechanisms and side effects of the main drugs of plant origin.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The students will acquire a  proper pharmacological language and will be able to apply the acquired principles on drugs for the study of intracellular signaling.

Judgment: The student will be able to critically evaluate the pro and cons of the main drugs of plant origin.

Communication skills: The student will be able to describe the pharmacology of the main drugs of plant origin with proper scientific language.

Learning skills: The student will be able to build up his scientific knowledge in a critical way, using not only the study material provided by the professor but also dedicating himself to in-depth studies.

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

No teaching support activities are planned

Teaching

Lectures (i.e. Powerpoint slides, scientific papers).

Innovative teaching methods

Flipped classroom. Some lessons will involve the distribution of pdf of scientific articles in english that students will have to
read before the lesson.

Attendance

Knowledge of  Plant Biology and General Physiology.

Course books

Recommended texts:
F. Capasso. "Farmacognosia" 2th Edition. SPRINGER, 2012.

Reference text:.

Goodman and Gilman - Le basi farmacologiche della terapia (2019)

Assessment

The exam consists of an oral test. The candidate will be asked questions on topics developed during the lessons in order to ascertain that the student has acquired the basic concepts of pharmacognosy; knowing how to deal with the major problems related to the possible interactions between active ingredients derived from medicinal plants. The final mark, expressed in the thirtieths, will result from the candidate's ability to respond exhaustively and reasonably to the questions asked and with an appropriate scientific language.

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

Non-attending students are required to consult the material on the blended platform and contact the lecturer if necessary

Attendance

Knowledge of Plant Biology and General Physiology.

Course books

The PowerPoint presentations presented during the lessons will be uploaded to the Blended website to allow students to be updated on the arguments analyzed during the lessons

Recommended texts:
F. Capasso. "Farmacognosia" 2th Edition. SPRINGER, 2012.

Reference text:.

Goodman and Gilman - Le basi farmacologiche della terapia ((dodicesima edizione))

Assessment

The exam consists of an oral test. The candidate will be asked questions on topics of the course program and developed during the lessons in order to ascertain that the student has acquired the basic concepts of pharmacognosy; knowing how to deal with the major problems related to the possible interactions between active ingredients derived from medicinal plants. The final mark, expressed in the thirtieths, will result from the candidate's ability to respond exhaustively and reasonably to the questions asked and with an appropriate scientific language.

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.