31578 - Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy

Learning outcomes

Students will learn how to describe plant drugs, their origin, content in active principles, pharmacological activities and uses. During the laboratory course, students will learn how to identify and describe medicinal plants. Plant drugs will be also analysed by the aid of optical microscopy. Specific chemical identification reactions will be carried out for the different active principles.

Course contents

Pharmacognosy: Lucia Carboni

Definition of pharmacognosy; general concepts to study crude drugs and substances obtained from medicinal plants with respect to morphology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. Harvesting and conservation of medicinal plants. Quality controls of plant material. Identity of sample, region of origin, macro e micromorphologic examination. Carbohydrates-containing drugs. Lipid-containing drugs. Drugs containing phenols, coumarins, flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids. Polyketide-containing drugs. Drugs containing terpenoids or steroids. Alkaloid-containing drugs.

Phytotherapy: Ester Speroni

Definition of phytotherapy. Phytotherapic treatments of respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, urogenital diseases. Phytotherapic treatments for disorders of the central nervous system. Phytotherapic treatments for inflammation.

Laboratory:Lucia Carboni

Evaluation of extraneous elements, weight loss at drying.

Carbohydrate-containing drugs: microscopic and macroscopic identification of Agar, Burdock, Marshmallow, Fucus, Starch, Tragacant, Gum, Couch-grass, Guar gum, Laminaria, Linseed, Iceland moss, Mallow, Corn, Manna, Psyllium, Rice, Linden flower. Swell index, chemical identifications of Starch and Tragacant.

Alkaloid-containing drugs: microscopic and macroscopic identification of Aconite, Belladonna, Fumitory, Hyoscyamus, Guarana, Hydrastis, Nux vomica, Stramonium, Chincona bark, Ipecacuanha, Boldo, Kola nut. Chemical identifications of Chincona bark and Boldo.

Anthraquinone-containing drugs: microscopic and macroscopic identification of Aloes, Cascara bark, Frangula bark, Rhubarb, St. John’s wort, Senna. Chemical identifications of Aloes, Rhubarb, Senna.

Tannin-containing drugs: microscopic and macroscopic identification of Hamamelis, Hawthorn, Lady’s mantle, Cherry pedicel, Heath, Strawberry, Karkadè, Rhatany root, Rose fruit, Willow bark, Hydrocotyle, Bearberry leaves. Chemical identifications of Hamamelis, Bearberry leaves.

Flavonoid-containing drugs: microscopic and macroscopic identification of Mugwort, Devil's claw, Marigold, Artichoke, Centaury, Chrysanthellum, Coneflower, Gentian, Ginkgo (Maidenhair tree), Aesculus, Hyssop, Pomegranate, Lingonberry, Passion flower, Elder flower, Tea, Europaen vervain, Rhodiola, Meadowsweet, Vine. Chemical identifications of Tea, Red orange.

Cardioactive glycoside-containing drugs: microscopic and macroscopic identification of Spring adonis, Foxgloves, Squill, Rose laurel (Oleander). Chemical identifications of Oleander.

Saponin-containing drugs: microscopic and macroscopic identification Siberian ginseng, Fenugreek, Ginseng, Restharrow, Liquorice, Senega. Chemical identifications of Liquorice and Senega.

Drugs containing resins or essential oils: microscopic and macroscopic identification of Yarrow, Dill, Angelica, Star anise, Aniseed, Bitter orange peel, Orange flower, Arnica, Wormwood, Calamus, Matricaria, Chamomille, Cinnamom, Capsicum, Cardamom, Colophony, Holy thistle, Calumba, Condurango, Coriander, Caraway, Cumin, Turmeric, Damiana, Fennel, Eucalyptus, Male fern, Clove, Juniper, Frankincense, Lavender, Lupulus, Melissa, Peppermint, Myrrh, Pepper, Pine, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Valerian.

Readings/Bibliography

G.L. Biagi –E. Speroni, Farmacognosia, Patron Editore

F. Poli, Biologia Farmaceutica 2 edizione, Pearson Italia

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

Teaching methods

The course is made up by oral teaching (64 hours) and by a laboratory course (9 laboratory sessions during 4 hours each).

Assessment methods

Students are evaluated in a test aimed at recognizing the drugs examined during the laboratory course; students are also required to submit a report describing the activities carried out during the laboratory course.

Students are evaluated in an oral examination on Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy programs. Exams will be taken online if the situation so required. Participation to at least 7 out of the 9 laboratory sessions is mandatory to be allowed to take the oral examination.

Teaching tools

Teaching tools are present on Virtuale web site.

Medicinal plants are available during the laboratory course.

Office hours

See the website of Lucia Carboni

See the website of Ester Speroni