BOTANICA FARMACEUTICA DELLE PIANTE OFFICINALI - FARMACOGNOSIA A - L

Module FARMACOGNOSIA

Expected Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding: Provide students with knowledge regarding the recognition, identification, preparation, and biological effects of herbal drugs and the active ingredients they contain, for their use in the pharmaceutical and health sectors.

Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding: Upon completion of the course, students will acquire the ability to: identify herbal drugs and recognize the chemical structures that constitute their active ingredients. They will understand their pharmacological activity, whether used therapeutically, or their application in other sectors, such as health and wellness. Students will also learn the basics of general pharmacognosy and understand herbal drug preparations.

Making independent judgments: Students will be able to independently evaluate medicinal plant-based preparations (phytotherapeutics, traditional herbal medicines, food supplements, herbal products, medical devices, nutraceuticals), distinguishing between empirical use and evidence-based use. They will also be able to advise users on their rational use in specific disorders or pathologies, providing information on efficacy, side effects, contraindications, drug interactions, and toxicity. They will be able to follow discoveries in the field of herbal products by consulting the scientific literature.

Problem-solving skills: Students will be encouraged to propose solutions to questions posed by the teacher.

The teaching method is based on lectures, using both slides and dried drug samples.

If teaching is taught in a blended or remote mode, any necessary changes to the previously stated curriculum may be made in order to comply with the planned program and the syllabus.

Information for students with disabilities and/or learning disabilities (LDs):

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with applicable laws, interested students may request a personal interview to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their learning objectives and specific needs. You can also contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or Learning Disabilities) contact teacher in our Department, Professor Santina Chiechio.

Knowledge of:

Animal and Plant Biology

Human Anatomy

Mandatory attendance as required by the teaching regulations of the Degree Course

MODULE 1: GENERAL PHARMACOGNOSY (2 credits)

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

Chemical Constituents of Plant Drugs. Carbohydrates, lipids, terpenes, steroids, phenols, polyphenols, sulfur compounds, alkaloids.

Medicinal Plants in the Modern Age. Medicinal plants as a source of drugs or for drug semi-synthesis. Plant drugs and their preparations (phytotherapeutics, traditional plant medicines, food supplements, herbal products, medical devices, nutraceuticals).

Problems of Phytocomplex. Factors that vary the content of active ingredients: natural endogenous and exogenous factors (balsamic weather, latitude, altitude, soil, climate, light, temperature, and biotic factors), and artificial factors (hulling, drying, stabilization, sterilization, fermentation). Extraction techniques and preparations of herbal drugs (infusion, decoction, maceration, percolation, steam distillation, supercritical fluid extraction, pressing, powders, infusions, decoctions, herbal teas, extracts, tinctures, syrups, juices, macerates, hydrolates, essential oils, fixed oils). Standardization of extracts.

Quality Control of Herbal Drugs. Causes of impaired quality, basic principles of quality control, identification of herbal drugs (macroscopic and microscopic examination, organoleptic characteristics). Purity tests (foreign elements, ash determination, moisture, swelling index, bitterness index, foam index, determination of essences). Determination of chemical and biological contaminants. Biological tests.

Clinical Efficacy of Herbal Drug Preparations. Clinical studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Monographs on herbal drugs. Phases of clinical trials.

MODULE 2: SPECIAL PHARMACOGNOSY (5 credits)

Central Nervous System. Anxiety and insomnia: Valerian, lavender, passionflower.

Depression: St. John's Wort, saffron. Cognitive impairment: Ginkgo. Central nervous system stimulants: Coffee, tea, guarana, maté, cola, cocoa. Drugs of abuse: Khat, cocaine, ephedra, opiates, cannabis, mescal buds, Psylocybe mexicana, Salvia divinorum.

Cardiovascular System. Hypertension: Garlic, hawthorn, olive. Chronic venous insufficiency and hemorrhoids: Horse chestnut, centella, blueberry, grape leaves, butcher's broom, witch hazel, French maritime pine, sweet clover. Congestive heart failure: Digitalis, strophanthus, squill.

Lipid Metabolism Disorders. Hyperlipidemia: Red yeast rice, garlic, fenugreek, guggul gum. Overweight: Ephedra, bitter orange, guar gum, garcinia, sea oak.

Pain and Inflammation: Anti-inflammatories/Analgesics: Willow, devil's claw, boswellia, turmeric, ginger, opium, cannabis. Migraines: Tansy, caffeine, ergot alkaloids.

Respiratory System: Colds and flu: Echinacea, pelargonium, elderberry, eucalyptus, thyme. Coughs and bronchitis: Marshmallow, grindelia, plantain, ivy.

Adaptogenics and Immunomodulators: Ginseng, eleutherococcus, rhodiola, withania, astragalus, echinacea.

Gastrointestinal System: Oral disorders: Aloe gel, tea tree, propolis. Dyspepsia: Gentian, wormwood, chili pepper, caraway, mint, boldo, artichoke, fennel. Gastritis: Licorice. Constipation and diarrhea: Manna, psyllium, anthraquinone drugs. Nausea and vomiting: Ginger. Inflammatory bowel disease: Boswellia. Hepatobiliary system: Milk thistle, artichoke, boldo, dandelion.

Urinary system: Fluid retention: Birch, horsetail, couch grass, parsley. Urinary tract infections: Cranberry, bearberry.

Reproductive system: Benign prostatic hyperplasia: Saw palmetto, African plum, nettle. Erectile dysfunction: Ginseng, maca. Menopausal disorders and premenstrual syndrome: Soy, black cohosh, Chinese angelica, chasteberry.

Skin: Skin inflammation: Chamomile, calendula, aloe gel, St. John's wort oil, oats. Skin infections: tea tree, lemon balm, burdock. Wounds, burns, and bruises: arnica, centella, bromelain.

Galactogens: milk thistle, fennel, fenugreek, galega.

Active ingredients with antineoplastic activity.

1. Capasso F, De Pasquale R, Grandolini G. Farmacognosia: Botanica, chimica e farmacologia delle piante medicinali. Springer, 2011

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

applicativi, Piccin, 2020

3. Samuelsson S, Bohlin L. Drugs of Natural Origin: A Treatise of Pharmacognosy, Seventh Edition. Swedish Pharmaceutical Press, 2017

OTHER TEACHING MATERIALS

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

- www.ema.europa.eu

The final exam is written. The questions will be open-ended. Answers will be graded based on the level of depth.

Assessment may also be conducted online, if necessary.

Information for students with disabilities and/or learning disabilities (LDs):

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with applicable laws, interested students may request a personal interview to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their learning objectives and specific needs. Students may also contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or Learning Disabilities) contact teacher in our Department, Professor Satina Chiechio.

Decoction and Infusion

Tinctures

Extracts: Definition

Rhubarb: Contraindications

Ginseng Toxicity

St. John's Wort: Drug Interactions