PRODOTTI SALUTISTICI ERBORISTICI E FITOTERAPICI AD USO VETERINARIO

Module MODULO 2: FARMACOLOGIA

The course aims to provide students with scientific, professional, and methodological training regarding phytotherapeutic and herbal health products. These products may serve as an adjunct to veterinary-prescribed pharmacological therapies or be used preventively to support animal well-being. Pet owners are increasingly interested in animal supplements, both for promoting general health and well-being and for targeting specific body systems, such as joint or digestive health. To facilitate understanding, these supplements will be categorized by therapeutic use.

In accordance with the Dublin Descriptors, upon successful completion of the course and the final examination, students will be able to explain and apply the knowledge acquired regarding the phytotherapeutic and herbal health products covered. Particular emphasis will be placed on the composition and the pharmacological and toxicological effects of the active ingredients they contain, ensuring their correct application in veterinary practice.

Students must demonstrate critical analysis and evaluation skills regarding the potential applications and safety profiles of the phytotherapeutic health products included in the syllabus. Furthermore, they will be able to communicate the knowledge acquired clearly and rigorously, using appropriate technical-scientific terminology.

Face-to-face lectures

According to what is reported in the RDA, Art. 12 - University Training Credits (CFU), the standard load of 25 hours of overall student commitment, corresponding to one credit, can include: 7 hours dedicated to lectures or equivalent teaching activities and the remainder to individual study

Information for students with disabilities and / or SLD: To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensatory measures, based on the teaching objectives and specifications needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP contact person (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD) of the DEPARTMENT OF DRUG AND HEALTH SCIENCES, Prof.ssa Santina Chiechio

If the teaching is given in a mixed or remote mode, the necessary variations with respect to what was previously stated may be introduced, in order to respect the program envisaged and reported in the syllabus

Frequency is mandatory, as stipulated by the Degree Programme's academic 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/lm-13/regolamento-didattico).

To facilitate the approach, the aforementioned supplements will be divided by therapeutic category.

At the end of the course, to pass the exam, students must demonstrate knowledge of the phytotherapeutic and herbal health products discussed, with particular attention to the composition and pharmacotoxicological effects of their active ingredients, for their correct use in the veterinary field.

Gastrointestinal tract

Probiotic, prebiotic, and symbiotic foods (combination of prebiotics and probiotics), colostrum, pectins, unsaturated fatty acids, brewer's yeast, amino acids, minerals and trace elements, calendula, licorice, aloe vera. 

Vitamins: classification, biological functions

Respiratory system

Propolis, Acerola, Echinacea, Eucalyptus

Immunitary system

Blackcurrant, Rosehip

Bones and joints

Boswellia, Devil's claw, Meadowsweet, Horsetail, Ash

Pain and edema

Hemp oil

Urinary tract

Goldenrod, Birch, Hawkweed, Chitosan, FOS, Cranberry

Liver function

Milk thistle, Artichoke

Fear and anxiety

Passionflower, Hawthorn, Valerian

Eye and ear health

Chlorhexidine 0.15%, Witch hazel, Chamomile, Tea tree, Lemongrass, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Thyme, and Neem essential oils.

Coat and skin care

Zinc oxide, millet, antiparasitics

Reproductive system

Vitex agnus-castus

According to the RDA, Art. 12 – University Educational Credits (CFU): The standard student workload of 25 total hours, corresponding to one credit, may comprise:

a) 7 hours dedicated to lectures or equivalent teaching activities, with the remainder devoted to independent study;

b) between 12 and 15 hours dedicated to classroom exercises or equivalent supervised activities (laboratories), with the remainder devoted to study and personal review.

1)    F. Capasso, R. De Pasquale, G. Grandolini, N. Mascolo – FARMACOGNOSIA – Springer 

2) Notes provided by teacher during the lessons

3)    Microorganisms 2023, 11, 2452 https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102452

4)    Animals 2024, 14, 1000 https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071000

5)    Can Vet J 2024;65:948–958 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11339888/pdf/cvj_09_948.pdf

Prova scritta  che consta di tre domande a risposta aperta.  La durata media del colloquio orale  è di 60 minuti. Il voto finale terrà conto della correttezza e congruenza delle conoscenze unita all'utilizzo appropriato del linguaggio specifico della disciplina e della capacità di collegare l'argomento in oggetto  con altri eventualmente correlati.Il superamento dell'esame (voto finale compreso tra 18 e 30) è conseguente alla conoscenza dei requisiti minimi essenziali richiesti per gli specifici argomenti.

La verifica dell’apprendimento potrà essere effettuata anche per via telematica, qualora le condizioni lo dovessero richiedere

INFORMAZIONI PER STUDENTI CON DISABILITÀ E/O DSA

A garanzia di pari opportunità e nel rispetto delle leggi vigenti, gli studenti interessati possono chiedere un colloquio personale in modo da programmare eventuali misure compensative e/o

dispensative, in base agli obiettivi didattici ed alle specifiche esigenze. E' possibile rivolgersi alla prof.ssa Santina Chiechio (santina.chiechio@unict.it) anche in qualità di docente referente CInAP (Centro per l’inclusione Attiva e Partecipata - Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA, https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti) del Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute.

DATE DEGLI APPELLI

Le date di esami sono pubblicate sul sito del Corso di Studio: https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/calendario-esami

1) The importance of prebiotics and probiotics for pet health

2) What natural active ingredients would you recommend for urinary tract health?

3) Essential oils in pet care