FARMACOGNOSIA E NUTRACEUTICA

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge and understanding

 

The student will recognize and identify herbal drugs and their active constituents, and will describe the associated preparations and biological properties with a view to their use in the herbal and nutraceutical sectors.

 

 

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:

Upon completion of the course, the student will acquire the ability to utilize plant-based medicinal materials: they will be able to describe these materials and recognize the chemical structures of their active principles, as well as understand their biological activity and applications in the herbal and nutraceutical fields. Furthermore, the student will learn the fundamentals of general pharmacognosy and become familiar with preparations derived from plant-based medicinal materials.

 

 

Making judgements: the student will be able to independently evaluate medicinal plant-based preparations, distinguishing between empirical use and use based on scientific evidence. They will be able to interpret and critically assess findings regarding plant-derived products by consulting scientific literature.

 

Communication skills:

the student will be able to advise users on the rational use of medicinal plant-based preparations for specific ailments, providing information on the efficacy, side effects, contraindications, drug interactions, and toxicity of herbal and nutraceutical products.

 

Learning skills

The student will develop the ability to independently locate bibliographic material and update their skills by consulting specialized databases.

 

In accordance with Article 12 of the Academic Regulations (RDA) regarding University Educational Credits (CFU), the standard workload of 25 total hours per credit may comprise: a) 7 hours of lectures or equivalent teaching activities, with the remainder dedicated to independent study; or b) between 12 and 15 hours of classroom exercises or equivalent supervised activities (such as laboratory sessions), with the remainder dedicated to study and personal review. The teaching method for the "Pharmacognosy and Nutraceuticals" course is based on lectures and classroom exercises (12 hours) and utilizes both projected slides and samples of dried medicinal plant materials.

 

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the

above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus

 

REQUIRED PREREQUISITES

Knowledge of:

Animal and Plant Biology

Human Anatomy

Chemistry

Attendance is mandatory, as stipulated by the Degree Course regulations. Absences are permitted for no more than 30% of the total teaching hours, calculated across all forms of instruction (https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/l-29_sfa/regolamento-didattico).

 

MODULE 1: GENERAL PHARMACOGNOSY (2 credits)

Definitions. Natural drug, organized and non-organized drug, active ingredient, phytocomplex, medicinal and officinal plant, nutraceutical product.

History of Pharmacognosy. Pharmacognosy today. Traditional medicines.

Preparation of Herbal Drugs. Harvesting, cleaning, drying, stabilization, sterilization.

Principles of Herbal Drug Preservation. Drying, freezing.

Preparations with Herbal Drugs. Powders, infusions, decoctions, herbal teas, extracts, tinctures, syrups, juices, macerates, hydrolates, essential oils, fixed oils. Standardization of extracts.

 

MODULE 2: APPLIED PHARMACOGNOSY (1 credit)

Quality Control of Herbal Drugs. Examination of morphological characteristics. Examination of organoleptic characteristics. Examination of physical characteristics. Microscopic analysis (preparation of organized and disorganized drug preparations, methods for recognizing and identifying characteristic structural elements). Purity tests (determination of foreign elements, ash, moisture, swelling index, bitterness index, foam index, determination of essences). Biological tests.

 

MODULE 3: SPECIAL PHARMACOGNOSY (3 credits)

Classification of herbal drugs.

Drugs containing carbohydrates. Marshmallow, mallow, echinacea, guar gum, carob gum, manna, psyllium, algae, Iceland moss.

Drugs containing lipids. Olive oil, corn oil, linseed oil, peanut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, saw palmetto.

Drugs containing glycosides. Anthraquinones (senna, aloe, rhubarb, buckthorn, cascara), saponins (ginseng, eleutherococcus, astragalus, licorice, butcher's broom, horse chestnut, centella, fenugreek, ivy), sulfur compounds (garlic), phenolic compounds (bearberry, rhodiola), and alcohol compounds (willow).

Drugs containing terpenes. Lemon balm, mint, eucalyptus, thyme, ginkgo, common chamomile, Roman chamomile, valerian, marigold, cannabis, gentian, dandelion, rosemary, cumin, lavender, arnica.

Drugs containing phenylpropanoids. Milk thistle, artichoke, burdock, passionflower, St. John's wort, propolis, bilberry, red vine, witch hazel, chasteberry, Chinese angelica, black cohosh, hawthorn.

Drugs containing steroids. Digitalis.

Drugs containing alkaloids. Capsicum, boldo, opium, ephedra, bitter orange, coffee, maté, guarana, cola, cocoa.

 

MODULE 4: NUTRACEUTICS (3 credits)

Nutraceuticals: origin, quality, and safety.

Role of nutraceuticals in specific pathologies or mechanisms. Nutraceuticals and the Central Nervous System. Hops, sage, saffron, black pepper, omega-3, vitamin E, taurine. Nutraceuticals and the Cardiovascular System. Garlic, olive, cocoa, pomegranate, flax, sweet clover, hesperidin, oxerutin, diosmin, naringenin, L-carnitine, coenzyme Q10. Nutraceuticals and Metabolic Disorders. Red yeast rice, bergamot, cinnamon, melannurca apple. Immunomodulatory nutraceuticals. Chinese mushrooms, cloves. Nutraceuticals and Inflammatory Diseases. Ginger, turmeric, oats, borage, cod liver oil, omega-3, omega-6. Nutraceuticals and the Respiratory System. Elderberry, garlic, thyme, anise. Nutraceuticals and the Gastrointestinal System. Green tea, turmeric, black raspberry, ginger, chili pepper, fennel, wild blackberry. Nutraceuticals and Eye Conditions. chamomile, Chinese sage, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene. Nutraceuticals and the Urinary System. Parsley, couch grass, cranberry. Nutraceuticals and the Reproductive System. Nettle, pumpkin, African plum, soy, red clover, flax, phytoestrogens, lycopene, vitamin D.

 

1. Capasso F, De Pasquale R, Grandolini G. Farmacognosia: Botanica, chimica e farmacologia delle piante medicinali. Springer

2. Mazzanti G, Dell’Agli M, Izzo AA. Farmacognosia e Fitoterapia: basi scientifiche e aspetti

applicativi, Piccin

3. Capasso R, Borrelli F, Longo R, Capasso F. Farmacognosia Applicata: Controllo di Qualità delle Droghe Vegetali. Springer.

4. Samuelsson S, Bohlin L. Drugs of Natural Origin: A Treatise of Pharmacognosy, Seventh Edition. Swedish Pharmaceutical Press

ADDITIONAL TEACHING MATERIAL

- LECTURE SLIDES: http://www.unict.it/content/studium

- www.ema.europa.eu

 

ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING

ASSESSMENT METHODS

END-OF-COURSE EXAMS

 

Learning is assessed via a written exam, generally consisting of 6 open-ended questions focusing on general and applied pharmacognosy (3 questions) and on special pharmacognosy and nutraceuticals (3 questions). The average duration of the written exam is 90 minutes. Answers are evaluated based on the depth of the analysis provided.

 

Grades are awarded on a scale of 30, according to the following scheme:

Fail

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: significant gaps and inaccuracies

Analytical and synthesis skills: negligible; frequent generalizations

Use of references: completely inappropriate

Grade: 18-21

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: very limited; evident flaws

Analytical and synthesis skills: barely sufficient

Use of references: barely appropriate

Grade: 22-25

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: knowledge slightly above the minimum requirement

Analytical and synthesis skills: fair analytical and synthesis skills; logical and coherent argumentation

Use of references: uses standard references

Grade: 26-28

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: very good knowledge

Analytical and synthesis skills: strong analytical and synthesis skills

Use of references: in-depth study of topics

Grade: 29-30 with honors

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: excellent knowledge

Analytical and synthesis skills: strong analytical and synthesis skills

Use of references: significant in-depth study.

 

During the course, classroom exercises will be conducted using the same format as the final exam.

 

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.

 

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on

educational objectives and specific needs.

Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti) and referring teacher (prof.ssa

Santina Chiechio email: santina.chiechio@unict.it) within of department.

 

 

 

 

EXAMPLES OF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND/OR EXERCISES

Decoction: Definition

Dry Extracts: Definition

Preservation of Herbal Drugs

Roman Chamomile: Macromorphological Analysis

Healthy Uses of Marshmallow

Biological Properties of Aloe Gel

Ginkgo: Drug Interactions

Senna: Side Effects

Soy in Menopause Disorders