PHARMACOGNOSY

To provide students with knowledge about the herbal drugs with regard to composition, identification methods, quality control, pharmaco-toxicological effects of the active principles and their use in the pharmaceutical field

At the end of the course, to pass the exam, the student must demonstrate to have acquired the knowledge related to:

• sources of drugs of plant origin
• Drug collection, preparation and storage
• macro-micromorphological characterization of the drugs indicated in the program
• phytochemistry of the drugs indicated in the program
• therapeutic effects of the drugs indicated in the program

face to face lessons

General Pharmacognosy (Module 1)

Meaning and scope of Pharmacognosy. Definition of drug. Classification and characteristics of herbal and animal drugs, organized and unorganized drug. Definition of factors that influence the composition and activity of drugs: natural endogenous and exogenous factors, exogenous factors depending on the drug preparation.
Collection, preparation and storage of drugs. Recognition and quality control of drugs, made ​​in accordance with the rules given in the FU Assays and bioassays. Conservation of drugs. Pharmaceutical forms of herbal medicines. Drug quality control.

Special Pharmacognosy (Modulo 2)

Recognition, biological activity and uses of the main herbal drugs and their active principles

• Carbohydrates and carbohydrate-containing drugs

Monosaccharides: glucose, fructose, sorbitol.
Oligosaccharides: saccharose.
Polysaccharides: starch, cellulose, dextrans, inulin, pectins, gums, mucilage, carrageenans, alginates
- Laxative Drugs: Manna.
- Protective Drugs: Starch, Altea, Lino, Mallow.
- Drugs for technical uses: Gum Arabic, Gum Tragacanth.
- Purgative Drugs: Psyllium, Agar-Agar.

• Lipids and lipid-containing drugs
Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, glycerides, waxes.
-Main-drugs: sweet almond oil, linseed oil, castor oil.

• Drugs containing proteolytic enzymes
- Pineapple
- Papaya.

• Drugs containing essences and resins
Monoterpenes, diterpenes, sesquiterpenes
-Sedative Drugs: Valerian, Chamomile, Linden
- Revulsive and antiseptic: Camphor
- Eupeptic Drugs: Orange, Anise, Fennel, Lemon Balm
- Expectorant drugs: Eucalyptus, Mint, Thyme.
- Adaptogen drugs: ginko
-Drugs with antitumor activity: taxus

• Drugs containing glycosides
-Anthraquinones: aloe, cascara, rhubarb, senna, St. John's wort.
-Sulfur: garlic
-Saponinic: licorice, ginseng, horse chestnut, centella.
-Alcohol: willow.
-Aldehyde: vanilla.
-Phenolic: bearberry.
-Cardiac glycosides: digital, strophanthus, scilla.
Iridoid glycosides: Harpagophytum

• Drugs containing phenylpropanoids
-Flavonoids: Silybum marianum, passion flower, blueberry, artichoke.
-Lignans: podofillo.
-Tannins:, Hamamelis, gall, green tea.

• Drugs containing alkaloids
-Phenylalkylamine: capsaicin, ephedra,
-Isochinolinic: boldo, colchicum, curare, ipecac, opium.
-Indole: Rauwolfia, Calabar bean, ergot, vinca.
-Quinoline: china.
-Imidazole: jaborandi.
-Pyridine: tobacco.
-Tropane: belladonna, henbane, jimson weed, coke.
-Purinoceptors: caffeiche drugs

1) A. Bruni - Farmacognosia generale e applicata – Piccin

2) F. Capasso, R. De Pasquale, G. Grandolini, N. Mascolo – FARMACOGNOSIA – Springer