FARMACOLOGIA E TOSSICOLOGIA DELLE PIANTE OFFICINALI E DEI PRODOTTI NUTRACEUTICI

The aim of the course is to provide general principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics as well as a specific knowledge of the clinical efficacy and tolerability profile and the indications and contraindications of medicinal plants in the treatments of main affections affecting our body. Knowledge of both the different classes of active ingredients present in medicinal plants and nutraceutical products, and of the main interactions between drugs and plants medicines therefore represents an essential step for a better professional training of the future herbalist.

Frontal Teaching

According to what is reported in the RDA, Art. 12 - University Educational Credits (CFU), in the standard load of 25 hours of total commitment of the student

student, corresponding to one credit, may include: a) 7 hours dedicated to lectures or equivalent teaching activities and the remaining to individual study;

b) at least 12 and no more than 15 hours dedicated to classroom exercises or equivalent assisted activities (laboratories) and the remainder to study and personal re-elaboration

Good knowledge of General and Organic Chemistry. Good knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology Good knowledge of General Biochemistry and Nutrition Good knowledge of Phytochemistry Good knowledge of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany

Mandatory as required by the educational system

http://www.dsf.unict.it/corsi/l-29_sfa/regolazione-didattico

Introduction to the course: definition of medicinal plant, medicinal plant and outline of current regulatory references

Pharmacokinetics:

Passage of drugs across biological membranes. Barriers. Drug absorption. Factors affecting absorption. Routes of drug administration. Binding of drugs to plasma proteins. Distribution and redistribution of medicines. Evaluation of pharmacokinetic parameters (plasma clearance; half-life, repeated doses, 1st pass effect, bioavailability and bioequivalence). Drug metabolism. Elimination of drugs; absorption-elimination ratio. Factors of variability of drug response.

 Pharmacodynamics:

Mechanisms and site of action of drugs. Classification of receptors. Receptor function and variability of drug response. Agonism, competitive and non-competitive antagonism, affinity, intrinsic activity, efficacy. Dose-response curves, effective dose, lethal dose, therapeutic index, safety. Pharmacological effects and therapeutic effects. Drug side effects, adverse reactions, side effects, overdose, drug intolerances, fetal toxicity; teratogenesis and carcinogenesis.

 Drug discovery and Preclinical drug development

 Clinical trials: the different phases, drug safety, phytovigilance.

Anti-inflammatory drugs.

Vitamins.

Drugs active on the Central Nervous System (CNS): Stimulating, anorectic, antidepressant (with particular attention to hypericum), anxiolytics, cholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, cannabis, cocaine, opiates, hallucinogens, caffeine active ingredients.

Medicinal plants and reproductive system: black cohosh, chaste tree, phytoestrogens (classification, mechanism of action and possible use in menopause). Herbal medicine for benign prostatic hypertrophy: Serenoa repens, Pygeum africanum.

Drugs that affect the respiratory system: expectorants, anti-asthmatics (with particular attention to theophylline).

Adaptogenic and immunostimulating medicinal plants: ginseng and echinacea

 Gastrointestinal drugs: purgatives (with particular attention to anthraquinone laxatives), antidiarrheal.

Antineoplastics (in particular vinca alkaloids and taxol) and notes on carcinogens

Potential clinically relevant herb–drug interactions for commonly used herbs: the role of CYP450.

A.J Trevor-B.G Katsung -S, Farmacologia, Piccin, Nona edizione 2012, pp 1-51.

Capasso F., Grandolini G., Izzo A., FITOTERAPIA. Aggiornamento della II Ed. di Fitofarmacia

(Capasso,Grandolini), Springer, Milano.

Sangiorgi E., Minelli E., Crescini G., Garzanti S., FITOTERAPIA- Principi di Fitoterapia clinica
Tradizionale, Energetica, Moderna Casa Ed. Ambrosiana

Oral exam

CInAP support will be required in presence of specific teaching activities related to specific needs

https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/l-29_sfa/calendario-esami

General Pharmacology
1. Absorption of the drug.
2. Factors affecting the absorption and routes of administration of drugs.
3. Binding of drugs to plasma proteins.
4. Distribution and redistribution of drugs.
5. Evaluation of pharmacokinetic parameters (plasma clearance; half-life, repeated doses, 1st pass effect, bioavailability and bioequivalence).
6. Drug metabolism. Elimination of drugs; absorption-elimination ratio. Factors of variability of drug response.
7.Classification of receptors.
8. Receptor function and drug response variability.
9. Agonism, competitive and non-competitive antagonism, affinity, intrinsic activity, effectiveness.
10. Dose-response curves, effective dose, lethal dose, therapeutic index, safety margin.
11. Pharmacological effects and therapeutic effects.
12. Drug side effects, adverse reactions, side effects, overdose, drug intolerances,
13. Fetal toxicity; hints of teratogenesis and carcinogenesis.
14. Preclinical drug development
15. Clinical trial
16. Safety of medicines and phytovigilance.
17. Anti-inflammatory drugs
18. Vitamins
19. Poisons.



Pharmacology of medicinal plants

1. Valeriana officinalis

2. Melissa officinalis

3. Passiflora incarnata

4. Hypericum perforatum in the treatment of major depression

5. Alzheimer's disease: cholinesterase inhibitors and Hyperzia serrata

6. Alzheimer's disease: active ingredients with neuro-protective action, Gingko Biloba, Salvia officinalis,

Melissa officinalis

7. Medicinal plants that affect glycidic and lipid metabolism: phytosterols, garlic, artichoke

8. Guggul gum

9. Fenugreek

10. Fermented red rice

11. Herbal medicine for overweight and obesity: gommaguar, garcinia

12. Phytotherapy of diabetes mellitus with notes on medicinal plants that cause hypoglycemia

13. Medicinal plants and urinary system: Antiseptics: bearberry, American blueberry

14. Medicinal plants and urinary system: Diuretics: juniper, horsetail, European goldenrod, orthosiphon,

parsley, lovage and weeds

15. Phytotherapy of bronchial asthma: ephedra, ginkgo, ligustic, plants of the genus Solanum,

boswellia and ivy.

16. Indirect expectorants: polygala, licorice, primila, mullein.

17. Direct expectorants: thyme, eucalyptus, pine essence, fir essence, niaouli essence.

18. Ginseng

19. Echinacea

20. Black cohosh, chaste tree,

21. Phytoestrogens (classification, mechanism of action and possible use in menopause).

22. Phytotherapy of constipation: anthraquinone laxatives (senna, cascara, buckthorn, rhubarb)

23. Bulking plant laxatives (dietary fiber, bran, psyllium, agar, guar gum)

24. Phytotherapy of diarrhea: medicinal plants containing tannins, plants of the genus Potentilla.

25. Mint oil and irritable colon treatment

26. Medicinal plants used in the prevention of tumors: plants of the genus allium, green tea,

ginseng, soy, tomato, turmeric.

27. Drug interactions in phytotherapy: cytochrome P450 and interactions between plants

medicines and drugs: enzyme inhibition and induction (with particular attention to interactions

which have relevance in clinical practice).