The Pharmacognosy course aims to provide students with the appropriate knowledge related to drugs of plant origin. In particular, for each active principle, attention is focused on the factors that influence its content and quality, as well as on the criteria to be followed for the correct preparation and storage of drugs. The course also aims to make the student acquire a good knowledge not only of the composition of the drug, but also of its therapeutic use and toxicity profile. The student will also have to acquire a reasoning ability that will allow him to identify, among the active ingredients of plant origin, the optimal therapeutic strategy taking into account not only the pharmacological and toxicological aspects, but also the mechanism of action of the drug. Furthermore, knowledge about possible pharmacological interactions with any other therapies will be provided.
teacher profile teaching materials
Pharmacopeial monograph and comparison between the monographs of the Italian Pharmacopeia and the European Pharmacopeia.
The phytocomplex: chemical and pharmacological characteristics (interactions among components)
Factors influencing variability in active principle content: endogenous and ontogenetic factors, exogenous factors, artificial or technical factors
Identification of a crude drug: macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, with some examples
Extraction and purification systems of crude drugs and their characteristics
Quality controls on crude drugs: botanical, microscopic, chemical, and standardization according to Pharmacopeia regulations. Monographic examples for quality control
Adulteration, sophistication, falsification, alteration, and counterfeiting: definitions and examples
Preservation of a crude drug: lyophilization, drying, stabilization, contamination phenomena
List and description of some crude drugs registered in the Italian Pharmacopeia (FU) or the European Pharmacopeia (PhEu) of major interest and use in Italy: drugs active on the respiratory system, drugs active on the gastrointestinal system, drugs active on the cardiovascular system, drugs active on the nervous system, drugs stimulating the immune system
Toxicity of crude drugs and interactions with pharmaceuticals
Reporting form for adverse reactions to herbal products
Galenic and herbal formulations.
Seminars by experts in the field of medicinal plants are planned.
Programme
Pharmacognosy: introduction, definition, and historical overview of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy. Concepts of medicinal plant, crude drug, active principle, organized and unorganized drugs.Pharmacopeial monograph and comparison between the monographs of the Italian Pharmacopeia and the European Pharmacopeia.
The phytocomplex: chemical and pharmacological characteristics (interactions among components)
Factors influencing variability in active principle content: endogenous and ontogenetic factors, exogenous factors, artificial or technical factors
Identification of a crude drug: macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, with some examples
Extraction and purification systems of crude drugs and their characteristics
Quality controls on crude drugs: botanical, microscopic, chemical, and standardization according to Pharmacopeia regulations. Monographic examples for quality control
Adulteration, sophistication, falsification, alteration, and counterfeiting: definitions and examples
Preservation of a crude drug: lyophilization, drying, stabilization, contamination phenomena
List and description of some crude drugs registered in the Italian Pharmacopeia (FU) or the European Pharmacopeia (PhEu) of major interest and use in Italy: drugs active on the respiratory system, drugs active on the gastrointestinal system, drugs active on the cardiovascular system, drugs active on the nervous system, drugs stimulating the immune system
Toxicity of crude drugs and interactions with pharmaceuticals
Reporting form for adverse reactions to herbal products
Galenic and herbal formulations.
Seminars by experts in the field of medicinal plants are planned.
Core Documentation
Trease & Evans – PharmacognosyReference Bibliography
European PharmacopoeiaAttendance
As stated in the Master course regulations, attendance is mandatory.Type of evaluation
The exam consists of a written test covering the topics discussed during the course and will include open-ended questions as well as multiple-choice questions. Each question will be evaluated based on the accuracy of the answer and the demonstrated understanding of the learned principles. The grade will be expressed on a 30-point scale.