84887 - Plant Biology, Pharmaceutical Botany

Learning outcomes

During this course the student: - acquires the basic knowledge of plant biology, in particular the organization and functions of the plant cell, of the tissues and of the main organs of higher plants; - acquires the knowledge for the botanical recognition of the main medicinal plants, in particular plants for herbal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and voluptuary use; - s(he) also learns which factors influence the production of active ingredients in plants; - will be able to learn the Pharmacognosy and Pharmacotherapy contents of the following courses; - will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to solve the problems specific to the profession.

Course contents

Program of the Plant Biology module:

Plant organisms. Introduction on plants and humans: ecological, economic and social aspects.

The plant cell. The cell wall: biosynthesis, structure and function. Cell membranes: structure and function. Cell organelles: mitochondria, plastids, peroxisomes, vacuoles. The chloroplast: structural and functional aspects. The cell division process: the preprophasic band, the mitotic spindle, the phragmoplast.

Plant tissues. From cytology to histology: the organization of cells in plant tissues. The meristematic tissues and the adult tissues. Typology of meristematic tissues. Adult tissues: integumental, parenchymal, mechanical, conductor and secretory.

Corm plants: structure, development and function. Root, stem and leaves: morphology, anatomy, functions and development. Vegetative and sexual reproduction. Flower, fruit and seed: structural aspects. The life cycle of angiosperms.

Program of the Pharmaceutical Botany module:

Definition and purposes of Pharmaceutical Botany.

Historical development of the use of medicinal plants.

Differences between plants and animals. Utility of plants for humans. Plants as a source of substances of pharmaceutical interest.

Segregation. Excretion, secretion, recretion as mechanisms for the production of substances of pharmaceutical interest.

Endogenous and exogenous factors that influence the production of active principles in plants of pharmaceutical interest.

Phytoconstituents of pharmacological interest (Alkaloids, Glycosides, Phenols, Phenylpropanols and related molecules, Anthraquinones, Flavonoids, Anthocyanins, Tannins, Terpenoids)

Systematics: definition and aims. Classification criteria of the vegetable kingdom. The main taxonomic groups. Reproduction. Agamic, sexual.

Angiosperms: general information on reproduction floral morphology, fruit and seed morphology.

Monographs of the following species:

Aconito, aglio, alghe rosse, a. brune, a. verdi, aloe, altea , amamelide, arnica, arpagofito, assenzio, belladonna, biancospino, boldo, calendula, camomilla comune e romana, canapa, cardo mariano, cascara sagrada, centella, china, coca, colchico, digitale, echinacea, efedra, eucalipto, fava del Calabar, frangola, frassino, ginkgo, ginseng, giusquiamo, gomma arabica, iperico, ippocastano, lino, liquerizia, luppolo, malva, mandorlo, melissa, menta, mirtillo, papavero da oppio, passiflora, pervinca, plantago, podofillo, rauwolfia, ricino, segale cornuta, senna, soia, stramonio, strofanto, tasso, tiglio, uva ursina, valeriana

Readings/Bibliography

F. POLI, a cura di, Biologia farmaceutica: biologia vegetale, botanica farmaceutica, fitochimica. 2019 PEARSON ITALIA, MILANO.

- Maugini E. et al. Botanica farmaceutica , Piccin editore, Padova,VIII edizione. 2006.

- Bruni A. , Nicoletti M. Dizionario ragionato di Erboristeria e Fitoterapia, Piccin editore, Padova, 2003.

- Bruni A. Farmacognosia generale ed applicata, Piccin editore Padova

Teaching methods

The course consists of two teaching modules:

Plant Biology 4 credits (32 hours of lectures)

and Pharmaceutical Botany 5 CFU (40 hours)

The courses will be carried out through lectures accompanied by the projection of images and diagrams.

Assessment methods

On the Virtuale platform you can find examples of both the Plant Biology exam and the Pharmaceutical Botany exam.

Plant Biology Module (4 CFU)

• Written exam (duration: 45 minutes), consisting of:

  • 24 multiple-choice questions (1 point for each correct answer; 0 points for incorrect answers).

  • 3 recognition exercises of plant structures (cytology, histology, organography), each worth up to 2 points.

• The grade obtained in this module is not recorded separately, but contributes to the final evaluation together with the Pharmaceutical Botany module.

Pharmaceutical Botany Module (5 CFU)

• Written exam (duration: 75 minutes), consisting of:

  • 10 multiple-choice questions (1 point for each correct answer; 0 points for incorrect answers).

  • 4 recognition exercises of pharmacopoeial monographs (examples available on Virtuale), each worth up to 5 points.

• Oral exam following the written exam.

FINAL GRADE 

• The final grade is single and comprehensive, taking into account the results of both modules (weighted mean).

• Students may:

  • take both modules in the same exam session, or

  • take the Biology module first and the Pharmaceutical Botany module in a later session (the reverse order is not allowed).

• The grade obtained in the Biology module is valid for one year: within this period, the Pharmaceutical Botany module must be taken, otherwise the Biology exam must be repeated.

• According to the University Academic Regulations (Art. 16, paragraph 5), students may refuse a positive grade once before it is officially recorded.

Attendance Requirement

• Attendance is considered fulfilled with participation in at least 60% of the lectures.

• Attendance will be monitored through a paper register including name, surname, student ID number, and signature.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or with temporary or permanent disabilities are strongly advised to contact the University Office in charge in due time ([https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ]). The office will be responsible for proposing any necessary accommodations to the students concerned. These accommodations must be submitted for the instructor's approval at least 15 days in advance, and the instructor will assess their suitability in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Students with recognized "student-worker" status: consult the dedicated website (https://www.unibo.it/it/studiare/guida-alla-scelta-del-corso/conciliare-studio-e-lavoro ) to request their status and the measures provided.

Teaching tools

All the slides of the lessons, images of the monographs and online exercises  will be uploaded to the Virtual portal for the student to be able to practice and support the study.

Office hours

See the website of Manuela Mandrone