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
Pharmacopoeial monographs and comparison between monographs of the Italian Pharmacopoeia (FU) and the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).
The phytocomplex: chemical and pharmacological characteristics, including interactions among its components.
Factors affecting variability in the content of active principles: endogenous and ontogenetic factors, exogenous factors, and artificial or technological factors.
Identification of crude drugs: macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, with selected examples.
Methods for the extraction and purification of crude drugs and their main characteristics.
Quality control of crude drugs: botanical, microscopic, and chemical analyses, and standardization according to Pharmacopoeial requirements. Selected monographic examples of quality control procedures.
Sophistication, adulteration, falsification, alteration, and counterfeiting: definitions and examples.
Preservation of crude drugs: freeze-drying, drying, stabilization, and contamination phenomena.
Description of selected herbal drugs listed in the Italian Pharmacopoeia (FU) or European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) that are of major relevance and commonly used in Italy: drugs acting on the respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system, as well as drugs with immunostimulant activity.
Toxicity of herbal drugs and herb–drug interactions.
Reporting form for suspected adverse reactions associated with herbal medicinal products.
Galenic and herbal preparations.
Seminars held by experts in the field of medicinal plants are also included.
Programme
Pharmacognosy: introduction, definition, and historical overview of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy. Concepts of medicinal plants, crude drugs, active principles, organized and unorganized drugs.Pharmacopoeial monographs and comparison between monographs of the Italian Pharmacopoeia (FU) and the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).
The phytocomplex: chemical and pharmacological characteristics, including interactions among its components.
Factors affecting variability in the content of active principles: endogenous and ontogenetic factors, exogenous factors, and artificial or technological factors.
Identification of crude drugs: macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, with selected examples.
Methods for the extraction and purification of crude drugs and their main characteristics.
Quality control of crude drugs: botanical, microscopic, and chemical analyses, and standardization according to Pharmacopoeial requirements. Selected monographic examples of quality control procedures.
Sophistication, adulteration, falsification, alteration, and counterfeiting: definitions and examples.
Preservation of crude drugs: freeze-drying, drying, stabilization, and contamination phenomena.
Description of selected herbal drugs listed in the Italian Pharmacopoeia (FU) or European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) that are of major relevance and commonly used in Italy: drugs acting on the respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system, as well as drugs with immunostimulant activity.
Toxicity of herbal drugs and herb–drug interactions.
Reporting form for suspected adverse reactions associated with herbal medicinal products.
Galenic and herbal preparations.
Seminars held by experts in the field of medicinal plants are also included.
Core Documentation
Trease & Evans - PharmacognosyAttendance
As stated in the Master course regulations, attendance is strongly recommended.Type of evaluation
The exam consist 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 accurancy of the answer and the demonstrated understanding of the learned principles. The grade will be expressed on a 30-point scale.