BOTANICA FARMACEUTICA DELLE PIANTE OFFICINALI - FARMACOGNOSIA A - LModule BOTANICA FARMACEUTICA DELLE PIANTE OFFICINALI
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: GIUSEPPE MALFAExpected Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Ability to Understand: The course provides tools for the recognition of major plants of pharmaceutical, herbal and nutraceutical interest.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: the student knowledge on the authentication and quality of plant matrices pharmaceutical interest. He/she also acquires the skills necessary to understand the use and utilization of medicinal plants and its derivatives for therapeutic applications and/or as ingredients for phytotherapeutic, nutraceutical and cosmoceutical formulations.
Learning skills: the student becomes capable of recognizing and identifying products of plant origin with health interest.
Autonomy of judgment: the student develops critical thinking skills in being able to recognize a health product of natural origin and possible fields of application.
Problem-solving skills: he student will be able to identify a plant product or ingredients for a physiological disorder.
Course Structure
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Taxonomic system and evolution of systems. Plant tissues: Meristematic or embryonic tissues. Adult or definitive tissues: parenchymal system, tegumental system, conducting system, segregating system, and mechanical system.
Reproduction of plant organisms: vegetative and sexual. Biological cycles.
Fungi. General characters. Morphology. Reproduction. Pharmaceutical and applicative interest of: Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota. Fungal intoxication.
Algae. General characters. Morphology. Reproduction. Pharmaceutical and applicative interest of: Rhodophyta: Gelidiaceae: Gelidium sp.; Phaeophyta: Laminariaceae: Laminaria sp., Fucus
Spermatophytes. Gymnosperms. Morphology and pharmaceutical and application interest of: Ginkgophyta, Ephedrales
Spermatophytes. Gymnosperms. Morphology and pharmaceutical and application interest of: Cycadophyta, Ginkgophyta, Coniferophyta, Ephedrales
Angiosperms. The flower and its elements. The inflorescences. Sexual reproduction. The seed. The fruit. The leaves.
LILIOPSIDA (MONOCOTILEDONES)
ALLIACEAE: Allium sativum;
LILIACEAE: Colchicum autumnale
ZINGIBERACEAE: Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinalis
MAGNOLIOPSIDA (DICOTILEDONES)
ALOEACEAE: Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis, Aloe ferox
APIACEAE: Angelica archangelica, Foeniculum vulgare, Pimpinella anisum
APOCYNACEAE: Strophanthus sp., Vinca
ASTERACEAE: Arnica montana, Matricaria chamomilla, Anthemis nobilis, Calendula officinalis, Cynara scolymus, Echinacea sp., Silybum marianum, Taraxacum officinale.
BURSERACEAE: Boswellia
CACTACEAE: Opuntia ficus indica
CANNABACEAE: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, Humulus lupulus
ERICACEAE: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi; Vaccinum sp
ERYTHROXYLACEAE: Erythroxylon coca
EUPHORBIACEAE: Ricinus communis
FABACEAE: Cassia senna
GROSSULARIACEAE: Ribes nigrum
LAMIACEAE: Mentha sp., Lavandula officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Salvia officinalis, Melissa officinalis
LAURACEAE: Cinnamomum sp., Laurus nobilis
MALVACEAE: Altea officinalis, Malva sylvestris
MYRTACEAE: Melaleuca alternifolia
OLEACEAE: Olea europea, Fraxinus sp.
PAPAVERACEAE: Papaver sp.
PASSIFLORACEAE: Passiflora incarnata
PEDALIACEAE: Harpagophytum procumbens
RHAMNACEAE: Rhamnus frangula, Rhamnus purshiana
RUTACEAE: Citrus sp.
SCROPHULARIACEAE: Digitalis purpurea, Digitalis lanata
SOLANACEAE: Atropa belladonna, Datura stramonium, Nicotina tabacum
STERCULIACEAE: Cola acuminata, C. vera, Teobroma cacao
TAXACEAE: Taxus brevifolia
VALERIANACEAE: Valeriana officinalis
VITACEAE: Vitis vinifera
Contribution of the course to the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being. Target 3.4
Textbook Information
1. Maugini E., Maleci Bini L., Mariotti Lippi M. - Manuale di Botanica Farmaceutica IX Ed. – PICCIN 2014
2. Leporatti M., Foddai S., Tommasini L. - Testo atlante di anatomia vegetale e delle piante officinali – PICCIN 1997
3. Poli F. - Biologia Farmaceutica - II Ed. - Pearson 2019
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Species concept. Taxonomic system and evolution of systems. Plant tissues: meristematic or embryonic tissues. Adult or definitive tissues: parenchymatic system, integumental system, conductive system, segregatory system, and mechanical system. | Texts: 1: Chapter 4, 9, 10; Text 3: Chapter 1-6-7-10 |
| 2 | Reproduction. Multiplication. Sexual reproduction. Gametes and gamy. Spores. Biological cycles. | Text 1: Chapter 8; |
| 3 | Fungi. Morphology. The mycelium. Heterotrophy. Propagation. Sexual reproduction. Fungal systematics. Morphology, ontogenetic cycle, and applicative interest of: Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota. Mushroom poisoning. | Text 1: Chapter 11; |
| 4 | Algae. General characteristics. Morphology, ontogenetic cycle, and applicative interest of: Rhodophyta: Gelidiaceae: Gelidium sp.; Gigartinaceae: Chondrus crispus; Phaeophyta: Laminariaceae: Laminaria sp., Fucus. Lichens. Lichen symbiosis. | Text 1: Chapter 12, 13; |
| 5 | Morphology. Utilization. Mosses. Cormophytes. Bryophytes. Hepatophytes. Bryophytes. | Text 1: Chapter 14; |
| 6 | Spermatophytes. Gymnosperms. Morphology, ontogenetic cycle, and applicative interest of: Cycadophyta, Ginkgophyta, Coniferophyta, Ephedrales | Text 1: Chapter 16; |
| 7 | Angiosperms. The flower and its components. Inflorescences. Sexual reproduction. The seed. The fruit. The leaves. Classification of angiosperms. Primary and secondary metabolites. | Text 1: Chapter 5, 6, 17; |
| 8 | LILIOPSIDA (MONOCOTILEDONES) ALLIACEAE: Allium sativum; LILIACEAE: Colchicum autumnale; ZINGIBERACEAE: Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinalis | Text 1: Chapter 17; |
| 9 | MAGNOLIOPSIDA (DICOTILEDONES) ALOEACEAE: Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis, Aloe ferox APIACEAE: Angelica archangelica, Foeniculum vulgare, Pimpinella anisumAPOCYNACEAE: Strophanthus sp., Vinca; ASTERACEAE: Arnica montana, Matricaria chamomilla, Anthemis nobilis, Calendula officinalis, Cynara scolymus, Echinacea sp., Silybum marianum, Taraxacum officinale. BURSERACEAE: Boswellia | Text 1: Chapter 17; |
| 10 | CACTACEAE: Opuntia ficus indica; CANNABACEAE: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, Humulus lupulus; ERICACEAE: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi; Vaccinum sp; ERYTHROXYLACEAE: Erythroxylon coca; EUPHORBIACEAE: Ricinus communis; FABACEAE: Cassia senna; GROSSULARIACEAE: Ribes nigrum; LAMIACEAE: Mentha sp., Lavandula officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Salvia officinalis, Melissa officinalis; LAURACEAE: Cinnamomum sp., Laurus nobilis MALVACEAE: Altea officinalis, Malva sylvestris; MYRTACEAE: Melaleuca alternifolia; | Text 1: Chapter 17; |
| 11 | OLEACEAE: Olea europea, Fraxinus sp.; PAPAVERACEAE: Papaver sp.; PASSIFLORACEAE: Passiflora incarnata. PEDALIACEAE: Harpagophytum procumbens; RHAMNACEAE: Rhamnus frangula, Rhamnus purshiana; RUTACEAE: Citrus sp.; SCROPHULARIACEAE: Digitalis purpurea, Digitalis lanata; SOLANACEAE: Atropa belladonna, Datura stramonium, Nicotina tabacum; STERCULIACEAE: Cola acuminata, C. vera, Teobroma cacao; TAXACEAE: Taxus brevifolia; VALERIANACEAE: Valeriana officinalis; VITACEAE: Vitis vinifera | Text 1: Chapter 17; |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The final exam will be assessed using indicators weighted equally and aligned with those described in the expected learning outcomes (Dublin Descriptors).
Therefore, the final grade takes into account the following factors:
Quality of knowledge, skills, and competencies possessed and/or demonstrated:
a) appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of knowledge
b) appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of skills
c) appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of skills
Method of presentation:
a) expressive ability
b) appropriate use of subject-specific language;
c) logical ability and consistency in connecting content;
d) ability to connect different topics by identifying common ground and establishing a coherent overall design, i.e., by focusing on the structure, organisation, and logical connections of the presentation;
e) ability to synthesise, including through the use of subject-specific symbolism and the graphical expression of notions and concepts, such as formulas, diagrams, and equations.
Relational skills:
a) willingness to exchange and interact with the instructor during the interview.
Personal skills:
a) critical thinking;
b) ability to self-assess;
c) problem-solving skills;
d) decision-making skills.
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies
Analysis and synthesis skills: irrelevant, frequent generalisations
Use of references: completely inappropriate
Grade: 18-20
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: very modest, obvious imperfections
Analysis and synthesis skills: barely adequate
Use of references: barely appropriate
Grade: 21-23
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: slightly more than adequate knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: fair analysis and synthesis skills, argues logically and coherently
Use of references: uses standard references
Grade: 24-26
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: good knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: has good analysis and synthesis skills, arguments are presented
coherently
Use of references: uses references Standard
Grade: 27-29
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: more than good knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: has excellent analysis and synthesis skills
Use of references: has thoroughly explored the topics
Grade: 30-30 with honours
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: excellent knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: excellent.
Use of references: significant in-depth analysis.
Honours are awarded to candidates who are significantly above average and whose limitations in knowledge, expression, conceptualisation, or logic are generally completely irrelevant.
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with applicable laws, interested students may request a personal interview so that any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures can be planned, based on their educational objectives and specific needs.
You can also contact the CInAP (Centre for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSA) contact teacher in our Department, Professor Santina Chiechio.
Exam dates are published on the Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences website: https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/calendario-esami
According to the RDA, Art. 12 - University Educational Credits (CFU), the standard 25-hour student workload, corresponding to one credit, may include: a) 7 hours dedicated to lectures or equivalent teaching activities and the remainder to individual study; b) at least 12 and no more than 15 hours dedicated to classroom exercises or equivalent supervised activities (workshops) and the remainder to study and personal development.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
2. Describe morphology of an alga rhodophyta
3. Describe morphology and characteristics of fungi
4. Describe the botanical and pharmaceutical characteristics of Digitalis purpurea
5. Describe the botanical and pharmaceutical characteristics of Allium sativum