B2931 - Sources of Plant Metabolites and Traditional Medicine

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: - acquires skills on the extraction and isolation of compounds useful in the phytopharmaceutical field; - possess the knowledge of modern techniques for the analysis and quality control of plant materials and their derivatives

Course contents

The course is 3 CFU module, integrated into the overall 9 CFU course. The module represents a deepening of the knowledge acquired through the course of Pharmaceutical Botany. The student acquires general botanical knowledge on the most important families of medicinal plants, used especially in the Mediterranean phytotherapeutic tradition. (S)He will also deepen the relationship between plant families and classes of special metabolites, their organ-specificity, biological activities, and uses in traditional medicine. He will also learn about the possible alternative sources of natural active ingredients from waste matrices important for circular economy. The student will know which are the most important systems of traditional medicine from which products of salutisctic interest have been developed and will have the basic knowledge on how to develop a qualitative and quantitative ethnobotanical study.

CONTENTS in detail:

Main families of medicinal plants with a specific focus on the Mediterranean tradition: Betulacee, Composite, Crucifere, Labiate, Leguminose, Ombrellifere, Papaveracee, Rosacee, Solancee, Papaveracee 

- habitat, botanical keys for recognition and main gebera

-classes of secondary metabolites specific to the various plant families

-relationship between organ/drug and classes of secondary metabolites

-uses of some plants of interest from each family both in the phytotherapeutic, cosmetic and nutraceutical fields

- biodiversity: endemisms, protected species, importance and challenges for scientific research in the field of natural products. -

redevelopment of vegetable waste matrices as sources of active ingredients and circular economy.

Ethnobotany and traditional medicines:

- what is ethnobotany, how to carry out a qualitative-quantitative ethnobotany study, how to create a database with ethnobotany data

-Plants and rituals in ethnobotany.

-Main systems of traditional medicine on the basis of which supplements and phytotherapeutic products sold in pharmacies are prepared.

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

Assessment methods

The final assessment is designed to evaluate the achievement of the course learning outcomes. It consists of the preparation of a written report (term paper) in which the student illustrates the botanical and pharmaceutical-chemical aspects of a selected plant species (a list of eligible plant species is available on the VIRTUALE platform). The final grade is based on the evaluation of the written report and is complemented by the results of the practical assessments carried out during the laboratory activities of Module 2.

Students must register for the examination exclusively through the AlmaEsami online system. Examination sessions are scheduled during the official examination periods for students attending the course, while additional sessions may be arranged throughout the academic year for students who are out of course, upon agreement with the instructors and always through AlmaEsami.

The written report must be submitted by email at least one week before the examination date to allow sufficient time for evaluation.

The examination will normally be held in person. Exceptions may be made in the event of public health emergencies, flooding or other officially recognized emergency situations, or in cases of student disability or documented vulnerability (subject to assessment by the University's Disability and Specific Learning Disorders Service). Each request will be evaluated individually and, if it meets the established requirements, the examination may be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams.

In accordance with the University Teaching Regulations (Article 16, paragraph 5), students are entitled to refuse the recording of a passing grade once.

Course attendance: students are required to attend at least 60% of the lectures to fulfill the attendance requirement.

Attendance will be recorded by signing a paper attendance register, including the student's first name, surname, student ID number, and signature.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), temporary or permanent disabilities: are strongly encouraged to contact the University's dedicated support office well in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). The office will propose any appropriate accommodations, which must be submitted to the course instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance. The instructor will evaluate their suitability in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Working students: students who have been officially recognized as "working students" should consult the dedicated University webpage (https://www.unibo.it/it/studiare/guida-alla-scelta-del-corso/conciliare-studio-e-lavoro ) to apply for this status and to access the available support measures.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): The use of AI tools is strictly prohibited. Any use of AI in the assessment constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

All the slides of the lessons, images of the monographs will be uploaded to the Virtual portal of UNIBO

Office hours

See the website of Manuela Mandrone