31578 - Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student:

• is able to perform the morphological identification of a crude drug, describe its origin, and, if of plant origin, its natural habitat;

• is able to recognize the chemical structures of the active constituents. For these compounds, the student understands their pharmacological activity when used therapeutically, as well as their potential applications in non-pharmacological fields, such as technological or cosmetic sectors;

• is capable of evaluating the use of phytotherapeutic preparations.

Course contents

Definition of Pharmacognosy and the Concept of Drug.
Natural drugs, with particular focus on those of plant origin, including:
i) Harvesting (balsamic period, collection rules and methods);
ii) Preservation of plant material (drying, freezing, and lyophilization, stabilization, storage, sterilization);
iii) Quality control of crude drugs, with attention to possible contaminations and adulterations.

Identification, origin, and macro- and micromorphological examination of the material.
Plant-derived crude drugs containing: carbohydrates (mono-, di-, and polysaccharides); lipids (triglycerides – oils – and related compounds); resins, essential oils, balsams (terpenes and terpenoids); phenolic derivatives and tannins; and various types of glycosides, including anthraquinone, saponin, cardiotonic, cyanogenic, anthocyanin, flavonoid, coumarin, and glucosinolate glycosides.

Phytotherapy: definition and applications.
Phytotherapeutic products for women, from puberty to menopause; for the elderly; and for children.
Phytotherapy in oncology.
Gender differences in Pharmacology and Phytotherapy.
Clinical indications and adverse reactions: risk factors and vulnerable patient categories related to the use of phytotherapeutic products.

Readings/Bibliography

G. Mazzanti, M. Dell'Agli, A.A. Izzo, Farmacognosia e Fitoterapia, Piccin;

G. Sacchetti, Botanica Farmaceutica e farmacognosia, UTET;

F. Poli, Biologia Farmaceutica 2 edizione, Pearson Italia;

M. Heinrich, J. Barnes, S. Gibbons, E. M. Wiliamson, Fondamenti di farmacognosia e fitoterapia, Edra.

 

 

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars.

The OFFICIAL LANGUAGE IS ITALIAN.

Attendance at the course is mandatory for 60% of class hours.

Regular attendance at classes leads to better understanding of the subject.

Assessment methods

The examination will be conducted in person, unless public health conditions, flooding emergencies, or the identification of at-risk zones—as defined by current regulations—and/or cases of student vulnerability (as assessed by the University’s DSA service) require otherwise. These cases will be evaluated individually and, if they meet the necessary criteria, the exam may be held remotely via the Microsoft Teams platform.

The final exam is designed to assess the achievement of the course’s educational objectives. Evaluation will focus on the student’s ability to navigate the various sections of the course content. Particular merit will be given to students who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in pharmacognosy and phytotherapy, along with a command of appropriate terminology and clarity of expression; such performance will be awarded with high marks.

Registration for the exam must be completed through the AlmaEsami platform.

Students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities are strongly encouraged to contact the University Office in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). The office is responsible for proposing any necessary adjustments, which must be submitted to the course instructor for approval at least 15 days before the exam date. The instructor will evaluate the request in relation to the educational goals of the course.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations will be used to support the teaching activities. A portion of the teaching materials presented during the lectures will be made available to students in electronic format and uploaded to the University’s online platform: https://virtuale.unibo.it

The PowerPoint presentations uploaded to the platform are intended as introductory and explanatory material, designed to support and guide the study of the textbook.

Office hours

See the website of Sabrina Angelini