PHARMACEUTICAL SUBSTANCES PLANT
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Although not mandatory, a good knowledge of plant biology and organic chemistry is strongly advised.
The student will be asked to demonstrate a thorough comprehension regarding the constitutive topics covered in all five training objectives. Students will perform three intermediate tests and a final exam. Two intermediate tests consist of multiple-choice test, corresponding tests and written text on the topics of training objectives 1 and 2 the first, 3 and 4 the second, respectively. A third practical test concerns identi-fication of a species (training objective 5). The final score is the mean of the three evaluative steps. The fi-nal exam consists of a general comment on the tests performed.
The evaluation process weighs, in addition to the ability to learn, understand ability and communicate skills.
The present course is in the second year, contributing to a training program on Botany for biotechnolo-gies, which starts from plant biology and ends with plant biotechnology. It is in line with the traditional course of Pharmaceutical Botany, updated in both the systematic background according to the recent ad-vances from the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group panel, and the most important plant-based pharmaceutical forms. Factors affecting the production of active compounds by the plant are analysed in details. Links among Pharmacognosy, Organic Chemistry, Botany, Systematic Botany and Biology are elucidated as well.
The following learning results are expected:
1. to acquire the basic knowledge on the main metabolic pathways of secondary metabolites in plant cell.
2. to acquire the basic and advanced knowledge on the chemical structure of the macro-categories of sec-ondary metabolites.
3. to acquire the basic knowledge on the main plant secondary metabolites with pharmacological applica-tions.
4. to understand the environmental factors affecting the secondary metabolites production
5. to acquire the basic knowledge on Systematic Botany
Moreover, students have to show inclination towards a professional approach to their work.
Lectures (5.5 cfu, 44 hours)
The secondary metabolism in plants (14h, training objective 1 e 2)
• Recall of plant morphology and physiology
• Secondary metabolism and the main biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites
• Chemical structure of the macro-categories of secondary metabolites:
- Phenolic compounds (Flavonoids, Tannins, Lignins, Lignans, Coumarins, Chinons, Cannabinoids)
- Terpenoids (essential oils, Steroids, Iridoids, Saponines, Resines, Rubbers, cardiac glycosides)
- Nitrogen compounds (Alcaloids, Glucosinolates, non-proteic aminoacids, cianogenic glycosides)
Bioactive plant secondary metabolites of pharmacological interest (10h, training objective 3)
Location of the secretory tissues and related extractive methods
Environmental factors (10h, training objective 4)
Endogenous and exogenous factors affecting bioactive compounds production
Systematic Botany: definition and aims. Classification criteria. Taxonomy (10h, training objective 5)
- Algae
- Fungi
- Bryophytes
- Pteridophytes
- Gymnosperms
- Angiosperms
Laboratory (0,5 cfu, 8h)
Extraction method of a phenolic compound: eugenol (2h, training objectives 3 and 4)
Analytical guides for species identification and classification (6h, training objective 5)
Slides of the lessons: downloading from the Elearning platform or provided by the lecturer.
Papers, monographs: downloading from the Elearning platform
Books: Maugini et al. Manuale di Botanica farmaceutica. Piccin Ed 2006;
Capasso F., De Pasquale R., Grandolini G. Farmacognosia: Botanica, chimica e farmacologia delle piante medicinali. Springer Ed 2011
Lorenzo Calzoni G., Speranza A. Struttura delle piante in immagini. Guida all'anatomia microscopica delle piante vascolari. Zanichelli Ed 1996
The course consists of lectures (5,5 CFU) and laboratory (0,5 CFU).
The course consists of of 44h of frontal lessons and 8h of laboratory activities, totaling 52 h (6 CFU). The addressed topics will be integrated by presentation of picture slides, graphics, diagrams and videos useful to clarify the concepts.
For laboratory activities, students are divided in small groups and are assigned a location for the self-conduct experiment. The access to the rooms is allowed only if equipped with white coat. The presence of the lecturer and one or more assistants will be guaranteed. Lab attendance is mandatory, and absence should not exceed 25% (2h) of the laboratory planned program.
OFFICE HOURS AND MAIL ADDRESS
Meetings preferably by appointment (by email request). Lecturer answers emails only if signed and with @studenti.uninsubria.it domain.
Lecturer is available for meeting aimed at clarifying and analyzing the treated topics, preferably for groups of students
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