FARMACOGNOSIA

The course aims to provide students with knowledge regarding herbal drugs, with particular focus on their composition, identification methods, quality control, and the pharmacological and toxicological effects of their active constituents, with a view to their use in the pharmaceutical sector. In accordance with the Dublin Descriptors, upon successful completion of the course and the final exam, students will be able to explain and apply the knowledge acquired regarding:

• sources of plant-derived drugs

• collection, preparation, and storage of herbal drugs

• macro- and micromorphological characterization of the drugs included in the syllabus

• phytochemistry of the drugs included in the syllabus

• therapeutic effects of the drugs included in the syllabus

Students must demonstrate critical analysis and evaluation skills regarding the classes of drugs studied—with reference to potential areas of application—and the ability to clearly communicate the knowledge acquired using appropriate technical-scientific terminology.

Face to face lessons

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;

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

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 

General Pharmacognosy  (Module 1)

Meaning and scope of Pharmacognosy. Definition of drug. Classification and characteristics of herbal and animal drugs, organized and unorganized drug. Definition of factors that influence the composition and activity of drugs: natural endogenous and exogenous factors, exogenous factors depending on the drug preparation.
Collection, preparation and storage of drugs. Recognition and quality control of drugs, made ​​in accordance with the rules given in the FU Assays and bioassays. Conservation of drugs. Pharmaceutical forms of herbal medicines. Drug quality control.

Special Pharmacognosy  (Modulo 2)

Recognition, biological activity and uses of the main herbal drugs and their active principles

• Carbohydrates and carbohydrate-containing drugs

Monosaccharides: glucose, fructose, sorbitol.
Oligosaccharides: saccharose.
Polysaccharides: starch, cellulose, dextrans, inulin, pectins, gums, mucilage, carrageenans, alginates
- Laxative Drugs: Manna.
- Protective Drugs: Starch, Altea, Lino, Mallow.
- Drugs for technical uses: Gum Arabic, Gum Tragacanth.
- Purgative Drugs: Psyllium, Agar-Agar.

      • Lipids and lipid-containing drugs
Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, glycerides, waxes.
-Main-drugs: sweet almond oil, linseed oil, castor oil.

     • Drugs containing proteolytic enzymes
- Pineapple
- Papaya.

    • Drugs containing essences and resins
Monoterpenes, diterpenes, sesquiterpenes
-Sedative Drugs: Valerian, Chamomile, Linden
- Revulsive and antiseptic: Camphor
- Eupeptic Drugs: Orange, Anise, Fennel, Lemon Balm
- Expectorant drugs: Eucalyptus, Mint, Thyme.
- Adaptogen drugs: ginko
-Drugs with antitumor activity: taxus

     • Drugs containing glycosides
-Anthraquinones: aloe, cascara, rhubarb, senna, St. John's wort.
-Sulfur: garlic
-Saponinic: licorice, ginseng, horse chestnut, centella.
-Alcohol: willow.
-Aldehyde: vanilla.
-Phenolic: bearberry, rhodiola rosea
-Cardiac glycosides: digital, strophanthus, scilla.
Iridoid glycosides: Harpagophytum

    • Drugs containing phenylpropanoids
-Flavonoids: Silybum marianum, passion flower, blueberry, artichoke.
-Lignans: podofillo.
-Tannins:, Hamamelis, gall, green tea.

    • Drugs containing alkaloids
-Phenylalkylamine: capsaicin, ephedra,
-Isochinolinic: boldo, curare, ipecac, opium.
-Indole: Rauwolfia, Calabar bean, ergot, vinca.
-Quinoline: china.
-Imidazole: jaborandi.
-Pyridine: tobacco.
-Tropane: belladonna, henbane, jimson weed, coke.
-Purinoceptors: caffeiche drugs

--Serenoa repens

-Echinacea

Red Rice

- Drugs used in weight control

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) A. Bruni - Farmacognosia generale e applicata – Piccin

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

Oral examination. The oral interview generally consists of four questions: the first focuses on general pharmacognosy (Module 1), followed by questions on the identification, biological activity, and uses of the main medicinal plant materials and their active constituents.

The average duration of the oral interview is 20 minutes. The final grade will be based on the accuracy and coherence of the knowledge demonstrated, the appropriate use of discipline-specific terminology, and the ability to link the topic at hand with other related subjects. Passing the exam (with a final grade between 18 and 30) requires a satisfactory understanding of general pharmacognosy and the fulfillment of minimum essential requirements for the specific topics covered.

Assessment may also be conducted online, should circumstances require it.

INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND/OR SPECIFIC LEARNING DISORDERS (SLD)

To ensure equal opportunities and compliance with current regulations, interested students may request a personal meeting to plan any necessary compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students may contact Prof. Santina Chiechio (santina.chiechio@unict.it), who serves as the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Inclusion – Services for Disabilities and/or SLD; https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti) representative for the Department of Drug and Health Sciences.

EXAM DATES

Exam dates are published on the Degree Programme website: https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13_ctf/calendario-esami

1) Drying of a drug

2) Extraction of the active principles by percolation

3) Drug and active principles of papaver somniferum

4) Drug and active principles of physostigma venenosum