ID:
510581
Duration (hours):
40
CFU:
5
SSD:
FARMACOLOGIA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 23/01/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The purpose of the course is to provide the knowledge on the topic related to the basic pharmacology (pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics) and the pharmacognosy. In particular, the objectives consist in:
- familiarizing students with the concepts that control how drugs enter and exit the body (pharmacokinetics). The student must learn how to use mathematical and compartmental models to calculate the main pharmacokinetic parameters in addition to understanding the mechanisms through which the drug is absorbed, distributed, and eliminated by the body (Cp, Vd, AUC, Kel, half-life, CL).
- providing a general overview of the molecular cascades underlying the effect of a drug or an endogenous molecule (pharmacodynamics), with special attention to the study of drug-receptor interactions, concepts of potency, efficacy, and affinity, agonist, antagonist, and partial agonist and the signal transduction pathways.
- providing a general overview of the biosynthetic pathways and the most significant drugs derived by herbs and plants (pharmacognosy). The drugs of biological origin are: carbohydrates (mono, di, oligo e polysaccharides) - acids, alcohols, esters (oils, fats) - saponins; cardiac glycosides and other steroids - essential oils and resins - phenols and phenolic glycosides (tannins, anthraquinones, flavonoids) - alkaloids.
- familiarizing students with the concepts that control how drugs enter and exit the body (pharmacokinetics). The student must learn how to use mathematical and compartmental models to calculate the main pharmacokinetic parameters in addition to understanding the mechanisms through which the drug is absorbed, distributed, and eliminated by the body (Cp, Vd, AUC, Kel, half-life, CL).
- providing a general overview of the molecular cascades underlying the effect of a drug or an endogenous molecule (pharmacodynamics), with special attention to the study of drug-receptor interactions, concepts of potency, efficacy, and affinity, agonist, antagonist, and partial agonist and the signal transduction pathways.
- providing a general overview of the biosynthetic pathways and the most significant drugs derived by herbs and plants (pharmacognosy). The drugs of biological origin are: carbohydrates (mono, di, oligo e polysaccharides) - acids, alcohols, esters (oils, fats) - saponins; cardiac glycosides and other steroids - essential oils and resins - phenols and phenolic glycosides (tannins, anthraquinones, flavonoids) - alkaloids.
Course Prerequisites
The student must possess the basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology and cellular biology acquired in previous courses.
Teaching Methods
Lectures will be conducted according to the classical teaching method of face-to-face lectures.
Practice exercises: none.
For the students with specific needs, who cannot attend in person the educational activities and applied for “Modalità Didattiche Inclusive” (Inclusive Teaching Methods), an adequate teaching material will be available for a fruitful self-study. If requested, the self-learning may be supported by tutoring activities or by supplementary activities, and by dedicated meetings, also online, with a flexible schedule according to the needs.
Practice exercises: none.
For the students with specific needs, who cannot attend in person the educational activities and applied for “Modalità Didattiche Inclusive” (Inclusive Teaching Methods), an adequate teaching material will be available for a fruitful self-study. If requested, the self-learning may be supported by tutoring activities or by supplementary activities, and by dedicated meetings, also online, with a flexible schedule according to the needs.
Assessment Methods
In itinere tests: one final-term exam. The final-term exam consists in one writing test only constituted by 30 multiple choice questions. The test can be only performed by students who reach the 75% of attendance to the lessons. The test concerns the handled program and the book texts/chapters indicated for reading during the course.
Appropriate examination methods are planned for students who fall under the categories for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and Special Educational Needs (SEN).
Appropriate examination methods are planned for students who fall under the categories for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and Special Educational Needs (SEN).
Texts
- S. Govoni. "Farmacologia" Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. Milano, 2014. ISBN: 978-88-08-18555-6
- H.P. Rang, M.M. Dale, J.M. Ritter, R.J. Flower. “Farmacologia”, six italian edition, Elsevier Masson, 2008
- Samuelsson. “FARMACOGNOSIA: farmaci di origine naturale”. Ed. EMSI, Roma
- H.P. Rang, M.M. Dale, J.M. Ritter, R.J. Flower. “Farmacologia”, six italian edition, Elsevier Masson, 2008
- Samuelsson. “FARMACOGNOSIA: farmaci di origine naturale”. Ed. EMSI, Roma
Contents
Basics of Pharmacology - Introduction and general principles of pharmacokinetics (ADME - plasma concentration / time curves, pharmacokinetic parameters). Mathematical models and calculation of kinetic parameters (Cp; Vd; AUC, Kel, half-life, CL). Metabolism, hepatic and renal elimination. Pharmacodynamics: mechanisms of drug action, receptors and related signal trasduction pathways. Basics of Pharmacogenetics.
Pharmacognosy - Biogenesis of pharmacologically active compounds: main biosynthetic pathways. Factors influencing the content of active components of a drug: genetic, enviromental and artificial factors. Cell cultures: plant biotechnology. Principles related to the commercial production, quality and standardization of natural products. Pharmacopoeia and related drugs of biological origin. Carbohydrates (mono, di, oligo e polysaccharides); acids, alcohols, esters (oils, fats and waxes); saponins; cardiac glycosides and other steroids; essential oils and resins; phenols and phenolic glycosides (tannins, anthraquinones, flavonoids); alkaloids; miscellaneous products (tumor inhibitors from plants; hallucinogenic and other toxic plants).
Pharmacognosy - Biogenesis of pharmacologically active compounds: main biosynthetic pathways. Factors influencing the content of active components of a drug: genetic, enviromental and artificial factors. Cell cultures: plant biotechnology. Principles related to the commercial production, quality and standardization of natural products. Pharmacopoeia and related drugs of biological origin. Carbohydrates (mono, di, oligo e polysaccharides); acids, alcohols, esters (oils, fats and waxes); saponins; cardiac glycosides and other steroids; essential oils and resins; phenols and phenolic glycosides (tannins, anthraquinones, flavonoids); alkaloids; miscellaneous products (tumor inhibitors from plants; hallucinogenic and other toxic plants).
Course Language
Italian
Degrees
Degrees
MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY
Single-cycle Master’s Degree
5 years
No Results Found
People
People
No Results Found