PRODOTTI SALUTISTICI ERBORISTICI E FITOTERAPICI AD USO VETERINARIO
Module MODULO 1: BIOLOGIA FARMACEUTICA

Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: GIUSEPPE MALFA

Expected Learning Outcomes

D1 – Knowledge and Understanding

The course provides advanced knowledge of botany and veterinary ethnobotany, along with the necessary skills for recognizing the main plant species and their derivatives, with particular attention to their traditional use for promoting animal welfare.

D2 – Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to understand the use of medicinal plants and herbal preparations for animal welfare.

D3 – Autonomy of Judgment

The student will develop the ability for critical analysis and evaluation of plant-based products, with reference to their potential applications, safe use, and available scientific evidence.

D4 – Communication Skills

The student will be able to communicate clearly and rigorously the acquired knowledge, using appropriate technical-scientific terminology, in both academic and professional contexts.

D5 – Learning Skills

The student will acquire autonomy in study and bibliographical research, developing the ability to continuously update their knowledge on the use of plants and plant derivatives in the veterinary field and to select the most relevant scientific information to solve practical problems and identify therapeutic and preventive solutions.

Course Structure

Face-to-face lessons with the aid of PowerPoint presentations, online videos, and problem-based learning. If teaching is conducted in a blended or distance-learning format, we may make necessary changes to the previously stated curriculum to ensure compliance with the program outlined in the syllabus.

Required Prerequisites

Pharmaceutical Botany of Medicinal Plants - Pharmacognosy

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance is mandatory according to the regulations of the Pharmacy Degree Program, as stated in the link:

http://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/piani-di-studio

Detailed Course Content

The course introduces the study of plants of veterinary phytotherapeutic interest, with particular attention to their botanical aspects, main phytochemical constituents, and traditional uses, with particular reference to the main applications in dogs, cats, horses, cattle, and poultry.

The module also introduces veterinary ethnobotany, with particular reference to animal self-regulation and self-medication, the role of bioactive phytochemicals, and the use of phytogenic additives in veterinary and livestock farming.

The main herbal remedies used to support animal well-being and prevent disorders affecting the following areas will be examined:

gastrointestinal system
respiratory system
immune system
osteoarticular system
urinary system
nervous system
integumentary system
reproductive system

Species and genera covered:

The program covers the following plant species and genera:

LILIOPSIDA (MONOCOTILEDONI)

Amaryllidaceae

Allium sativum (aglio)

Asparagaceae

Yucca schidigera (yucca)

Asphodelaceae

Aloe vera (aloe vera)

Poaceae

Avena sativa (avena)

Cymbopogon nardus (citronella)

Hordeum vulgare (orzo)

Secale cereale (segale)

Triticum aestivum (grano, frumento)

Zea mays (mais)

Zingiberaceae

Curcuma longa (curcuma)

Zingiber officinale (zenzero)

MAGNOLIOPSIDA (DICOTILEDONI)

Actinidiaceae

Actinidia polygama (matatabi, vite argentata)

Apiaceae

Foeniculum vulgare (finocchio, finocchietto)

Pimpinella anisum (anice verde)

Araliaceae

Eleutherococcus senticosus (eleuterococco, ginseng siberiano)

Hedera helix (edera comune)

Asteraceae

Achillea millefolium (achillea, millefoglio)

Arctium lappa (bardana)

Arnica montana (arnica)

Calendula officinalis (calendula)

Cichorium intybus (cicoria)

Echinacea purpurea (echinacea)

Matricaria chamomilla (camomilla)

Silybum marianum (cardo mariano)

Solidago canadensis (verga d’oro canadese, goldenrod)

Solidago virgaurea (verga d’oro)

Taraxacum officinale (tarassaco)

Boraginaceae

Symphytum officinale (consolida maggiore)

Brassicaceae

Raphanus sativus (ravanello)

Burseraceae

Boswellia serrata (boswellia, incenso indiano)

Valerianaceae

Valeriana officinalis (valeriana)

Cucurbitaceae

Cucurbita pepo (zucca)

Ericaceae

Vaccinium vitis-idaea (mirtillo rosso)

Fabaceae

Astragalus mongholicus (astragalo)

Glycyrrhiza glabra (liquirizia)

Sulla coronaria (sulla)

Trifolium pratense (trifoglio rosso)

Trigonella foenum-graecum (fieno greco)

Hypericaceae

Hypericum perforatum (iperico)

Lamiaceae

Melissa officinalis (melissa)

Mentha × piperita (menta piperita)

Nepeta cataria (erba gatta, nepeta)

Salvia rosmarinus (rosmarino)

Thymus vulgaris (timo)

Vitex agnus-castus (agnocasto)

Malvaceae

Althaea officinalis (malvavisco)

Malva sylvestris (malva)

Tilia cordata (tiglio)

Tilia platyphyllos (tiglio nostrano, tiglio a grandi foglie)

Tilia tomentosa (tiglio argentato)

Meliaceae

Azadirachta indica (neem)

Myrtaceae

Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree, albero del tè)

Orobanchaceae

Euphrasia officinalis (eufrasia)

Papaveraceae

Papaver rhoeas (papavero comune, rosolaccio)

Passifloraceae

Passiflora incarnata (passiflora)

Plantaginaceae

Plantago afra (psillio nero)

Plantago lanceolata (piantaggine lanceolata)

Plantago major (piantaggine maggiore)

Plantago ovata (psillio)

Polygonaceae

Fagopyrum esculentum (grano saraceno)

Ranunculaceae

Nigella sativa (cumino nero)

Rosaceae

Filipendula ulmaria (olmaria, spirea ulmaria)

Rubiaceae

Galium aparine (attaccamani, caglio asprello)

Salicaceae

Salix alba (salice bianco)

Ulmaceae

Ulmus rubra (olmo rosso, slippery elm)

Urticaceae

Urtica dioica (ortica)

PHAEOPHYCEAE

Fucaceae

Ascophyllum nodosum (kelp, alga bruna)

Textbook Information

1. Maugini E., Maleci Bini L., Mariotti Lippi M. - Manuale di Botanica Farmaceutica IX Ed. – PICCIN 2014

2. Teaching materials provided by the professor

Course Planning

	Subjects	Text References
1	Introduction to Pharmaceutical Botany and Ethnobotany. Definition and purpose of ethnobotany; medicinal plants, traditional uses, and the valorisation of traditional knowledge.	Text 1 and Teaching materials
2	Veterinary ethnobotany, animal self-regulation and self-medication. Food selection behaviours, physiological self-regulation, and animal self-medication: preventive and therapeutic strategies. Mechanisms of animal self-medication and bioactive phytochemicals. Bioactive phytochemicals: the concept of plant substances as food, toxins, or remedies; self-medication through ingestion, mechanical action, and topical applications; examples from mammals and birds.	Text 1 and Teaching mateText 1 and Teaching materials rials
3	Principles of botany applied to veterinary phytotherapy. Recognition and taxonomic classification of the species covered in the course; relationship between botanical families, drugs used, main phytochemical constituents, and traditional uses in various animal species. Phytocomplexes and main classes of bioactive metabolites; plant preparations and general criteria for use.Phytogenic additives. Main classes of bioactive plant substances and their veterinary and zootechnical relevance; use of plants, extracts, and plant derivatives as phytogenic additives and nutraceuticals.	Text 1 and Teaching materials
4	Ethnobotany and natural remedies for dogs. Plants and plant derivatives traditionally used for gastrointestinal disorders, nausea and vomiting, oral and ocular conditions, external ear disorders, wounds, and dermatological problems.Plant remedies for respiratory conditions, immune support, inflammatory conditions, anxiety, stress, and behavioural disorders; plants with adaptogenic and antiparasitic properties.	Text 1 and Teaching materials
5	Ethnobotany and natural remedies for cats. Plants and plant derivatives for urinary and gastrointestinal disorders, stress, anxiety, and behavioral problems, dermatological issues, osteoarticular disorders, and ectoparasites.	Text 1 and Teaching materials
6	Ethnobotany and Natural Remedies for Horses 1: Plants and plant products traditionally used for gastrointestinal disorders, stress, anxiety, and behavioural and reproductive disorders.Plants and plant products used to support bones, joints, and muscles and for major respiratory conditions; functional foods and nutraceutical supplements.	Text 1 and Teaching materials
7	Ethnobotany and Natural Remedies in Cattle: Plants and plant derivatives for gastrointestinal support and complementary management of parasitic diseases; nutraceutical and phytogenic use.Plants of interest in udder disorders, trauma and wounds, birthing support, general well-being, and immune system modulation.	Text 1 and Teaching materials
8	Ethnobotany and natural remedies for poultry. Plants and plant derivatives traditionally used for gastrointestinal support and complementary management of parasites, plumage, production performance, trauma and wounds, general well-being, and immune system modulation.	Text 1 and Teaching materials

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Written and oral exam

Learning Assessment Procedures

The final examination will be assessed using equally weighted indicators, in accordance with the intended learning outcomes (Dublin Descriptors).
The final grade considers the following aspects.
Quality of Knowledge, Skills and Competences
· appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of the knowledge demonstrated;
· appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of the skills demonstrated;
· appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of the competences demonstrated.
Communication Skills
· clarity and effectiveness of presentation;
· appropriate use of discipline-specific terminology;
· logical reasoning and coherence in the organisation of the contents;
· ability to establish connections among different topics by identifying common elements and developing a coherent overall framework, with appropriate structure, organisation, and logical progression;
· ability to summarise concepts effectively, including the use of discipline-specific symbols and graphical representations, such as formulas, diagrams, and equations.
Interpersonal Skills
· willingness to engage in discussion and interact with the examiner during the oral examination.
Personal Skills
· critical thinking;
· self-assessment skills;
· problem-solving skills;
· decision-making skills.
The written examination consists of five open-ended questions to be completed within a maximum of 2 hours.
The oral examination is intended to clarify and further develop the answers provided in the written examination and, where necessary, to complement the assessment through additional questions aimed at verifying the student's knowledge of the course topics, as well as the ability to establish connections among concepts and critically analyse the course contents. The oral examination generally consists of 3 questions, one of which may focus on aspects that emerged from the written examination. The average duration of the oral examination is approximately 20 minutes.
The final grade is expressed on a 30-point scale according to the following criteria.
Fail (Not Passed)
Knowledge and understanding: significant gaps and inaccuracies.
Analytical and synthesis skills: inadequate, with frequent generalisations.
Use of references: completely inappropriate.
Grade: 18–20
Knowledge and understanding: very limited, with evident shortcomings.
Analytical and synthesis skills: barely satisfactory.
Use of references: barely appropriate.
Grade: 21–23
Knowledge and understanding: slightly above the minimum acceptable level.
Analytical and synthesis skills: satisfactory analytical and synthesis abilities; arguments are presented logically and coherently.
Use of references: appropriate use of standard references.
Grade: 24–26
Knowledge and understanding: good.
Analytical and synthesis skills: good analytical and synthesis abilities; topics are presented clearly and coherently.
Use of references: appropriate use of standard references.
Grade: 27–29
Knowledge and understanding: very good.
Analytical and synthesis skills: strong analytical and synthesis abilities.
Use of references: demonstrates in-depth study of the subject.
Grade: 30–30 cum laude
Knowledge and understanding: excellent.
Analytical and synthesis skills: outstanding analytical and synthesis abilities.
Use of references: demonstrates extensive and critical in-depth knowledge of the subject.

Learning assessment may also be carried out online, should the conditions require it.

Information for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)
To ensure equal opportunities and comply with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview 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 the referring teacher (prof.ssa Santina Chiechio, email:santina.chiechio@unict.it) within the department.

Examination Dates
Examination dates are published on the website of the Department of Drug and Health Sciences. https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/calendario-esami

ECTS Workload
According to the University Academic Regulations (RDA), Article 12 – University Educational Credits (CFU/ECTS), one credit corresponds to a standard workload of 25 hours of total student commitment, including: 7 hours of lectures or equivalent teaching activities, with the remaining time devoted to independent study; or 12 to 15 hours of classroom exercises or equivalent supervised activities (e.g., laboratory work), with the remaining time devoted to individual study and personal elaboration.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Describe the botanical characteristics and veterinary ethnobotanical uses of Galium aparine.

Describe the botanical characteristics and veterinary ethnobotanical uses of Nepeta cataria.

Degree Course in

Pharmacy

PRODOTTI SALUTISTICI ERBORISTICI E FITOTERAPICI AD USO VETERINARIO
Module MODULO 1: BIOLOGIA FARMACEUTICA

Expected Learning Outcomes

D1 – Knowledge and Understanding

D2 – Applied Knowledge and Understanding

D3 – Autonomy of Judgment

D4 – Communication Skills

D5 – Learning Skills

Course Structure

Required Prerequisites

Attendance of Lessons

Detailed Course Content

Textbook Information

Course Planning

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Written and oral exam

Learning Assessment Procedures

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Suggerimenti e segnalazioni

Dipartimento di

Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute

Dove siamo

Contatti

Degree Course in

Pharmacy

PRODOTTI SALUTISTICI ERBORISTICI E FITOTERAPICI AD USO VETERINARIOModule MODULO 1: BIOLOGIA FARMACEUTICA

Expected Learning Outcomes

D1 – Knowledge and Understanding

D2 – Applied Knowledge and Understanding

D3 – Autonomy of Judgment

D4 – Communication Skills

D5 – Learning Skills

Course Structure

Required Prerequisites

Attendance of Lessons

Detailed Course Content

Textbook Information

Course Planning

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Written and oral exam

Learning Assessment Procedures

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Suggerimenti e segnalazioni

Dipartimento di

Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute

PRODOTTI SALUTISTICI ERBORISTICI E FITOTERAPICI AD USO VETERINARIO
Module MODULO 1: BIOLOGIA FARMACEUTICA