OVERVIEW

The General Pharmacology teaching module will cover topics related to the study of the mechanisms of action of drugs and all the factors that influence their effects on humans. The Pharmacognosy teaching module proposes to characterise the main derivatives of natural origin, reviewing their active constituents, the therapeutic/toxic effects they exert both at the cellular level and in the various apparatuses and systems of the body: central nervous, gastroenteric, cardiovascular, genitourinary, respiratory, immune and skin systems, describing the pharmacological basis of their therapeutic use and the molecular mechanisms of their effects.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The General Pharmacology teaching module aims at providing students with a solid foundation regarding the definition of a drug and everything related to pharmacological disciplines, the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, the factors influencing the variability of drug response and the main mechanisms and effects of drug-drug interactions. All aspects of drug development processes from design to the post-marketing phase will also be covered.

With regard to the Pharmacognosy teaching module, skills will be provided on the general principles of pharmacognosy, the main plant, animal and mineral drugs, with particular reference to those in the European and Italian Pharmacopoeia.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The educational objectives of the pharmacognosy module are: i) to provide the basic concepts and notions for the identification and knowledge of derivatives of natural origin, in particular vegetable, mineral and animal, ii) to discuss the pharmacological (pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects) and toxicological effects of their active constituents, iii) to evaluate their therapeutic use in the clinic and their potential use in industry and research, iv) identify a clinical problem and how to associate it with a therapy using products of natural origin, v) identify potential risks or critical aspects in the dispensing and advice of products of natural origin.

PREREQUISITES

Contact the teacher for further information not included in the teaching sheet.

TEACHING METHODS

The Pharmacognosy module includes 24 lectures lasting an average of 2 hours. During the lessons, all the topics included in the program will be illustrated in a complete and detailed way. During the lectures, active learning techniques may be applied that involve students with questions and scientific reasoning, flipped classrooms, etc.

The teaching material used during the lectures will be accessible on the AulaWeb portal by means of a registration key. In the event of particular problems that do not allow face-to-face teaching (e.g. weather emergency or high emergency conditions), lectures can also be carried out electronically using the Microsoft Teams online platform. The teacher will promptly inform students of any changes through the course website in AulaWeb and on the DIFAR website.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction to pharmacognosy general part

definition and classification of drugs of natural origin (vegetable, animal, mineral). Introduction to the factors influencing the variability of the content of active components in drugs. Natural factors: endogenous or genetic factors, exogenous or ecological factors. Artificial factors: harvesting and balsamic time, preparation and storage by dehydration processes or enzymatic inactivation. Drug alterations. Notes on drug storage and analysis, quality controls of a drug before marketing and labeling data.

Special part

Introduction to the main natural constituents of therapeutic, pharmaco-technological and industrial interest. Compounds of natural origin that act on the Central and Peripheral Nervous System. Principles with sympathetic-mimetic, sympathetic-lytic, parasympathetic-mimetic and parasympathetic-lytic action. Natural ingredients with neuro-stimulant, sedative-tranquilizer and anxiolytic, antidepressant, analgesic, anesthetic, antimigraine, drugs for voluptuary use, hallucinogens and psychedelics. Compounds of natural origin active on the cardio-circulatory system. Principles with cardiotonic activity, vasoactive, vessel protectors and modifiers of capillary circulation, anticoagulants, fibrinolytics, antihemorrhagics, antifibrinolytics, and antianemics. Notes on immune function and immunomodulatory compounds of natural origin and their mechanism of action, substances with adaptogenic and procognitive activity. Compounds of natural origin that act on the gastro-enteric system. Principles with eupeptic and stomatal activity, choleretics and cholagogues, antispasmodics and carminatives, laxatives, purgatives and antidiarrheals, hypo-cholesterolemics. Enzymes of natural origin and main uses. Compounds with probiotic, prebiotic and nutraceutical activity. Notes on compounds of natural origin with antiparasitic, antiprotozoal, anthelmintic, antimalarial, antibiotic activity. Compounds of natural origin active on the respiratory system. Expectorants, mucolytics and emollients, bechic, balsamic and antiseptic, bronchodilators and antiasthmatics. Compounds of natural origin active on the genitourinary system. Principles with diuretic, diaphoretic, antiseptic, astringent activity; Notes on phytoestrogens and main uses. Compounds of natural origin that act on the musculoskeletal and skin systems. Principles with anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic and revulsive activity. Compounds of natural origin with antitumor activity. Compounds of natural origin used in cosmetic clothing for their preservative, antiseptic, emollient properties and as sunscreens. Compounds of natural origin used in pharmaceutical technology. Pharmacovigilance and phytovigilance. Notes on biotechnological derivatives and toxins of natural origin. Notes on alternative medicine of natural origin.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Farmacognosia e Fitoterapia (Mazzanti, Dell’Aglio, Izzo) PICCIN EDITORE

- Farmacognosia. Botanica, chimica e farmacologia delle piante medicinali, (F. Capasso); SPRINGER EDITOR.

- Fondamenti di Farmacognosia e Fitoterapia (Galeotti, Mazzanti, Serafini); EDRA EDITOR

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The timetable is available on the CdS web page Timetable and Academic Calendar (https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/11947/studenti-orario)

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is divided into modules and for both will be oral. The exam is conducted by the course owner, supported by a commissioner (if necessary, the exam is conducted by the professor and a PhD student/research fellow, recognised as a Subject Expert by the Degree Course Council), and lasts from 20 to a maximum of 40 minutes, considering both modules. The exam questions focus on all the topics covered during the lectures and will allow the commission to verify the achievement of the educational objectives of the course.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The final grade will take into account the level of preparation, reasoning skills and correlation between the different topics of the program and the appropriate scientific language used during the interview. If the evaluation criteria are not sufficiently met, the student will be rejected and invited to deepen the study using, if necessary, further explanations by the professor. The exam will specifically assess (a) the level of preparation and the notions acquired, (b) the ability to associate compounds of natural origin with their mechanism of action and the correct therapy according to the therapeutic indications, (c) the ability to link the different topics, reasoning and the use of a professionally appropriate language. In detail, a grade between: - 18 and 21 will indicate a modest knowledge of the topics covered and a sufficient ability to place knowledge in the correct clinical context; - 22 and 24 will indicate sufficient knowledge of the topics covered, an adequate ability to deal with the topics transversally and to place knowledge in a clinical context; - 25 and 27 will indicate a good knowledge of the topics covered, a good ability to deal with the topics transversally and to place knowledge in context and more than good ability to place knowledge for therapeutic use; - 28 and 30 will indicate an excellent knowledge of the topics covered, excellent ability to deal with topics transversally and to place knowledge in context and excellent ability to place knowledge for therapeutic use; Honors are provided if the student stands out for an in-depth knowledge of the topics covered in the course.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact the teacher for further information not included.