ID:
510014
Duration (hours):
24
CFU:
3
SSD:
BIOLOGIA FARMACEUTICA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The main objective of the course is to provide adequate vocabulary and basic knowledge of plant organisms useful for understanding medicinal species. Through the training course the student will acquire theoretical and practical skills relating to pharmaceutical botany.
The expected learning outcomes are the following:
. Knowledge of the specific language for the description of medicinal plants and herbal drugs, from the microscopic level of cellular structure to the macroscopic level of morphology. Knowledge of the terminology inherent to the systematics of medicinal plants. Knowledge of the correct definition of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).
. Knowledge of the fundamental notions regarding conservation, alteration of herbal drugs. Understanding the mechanism underlying the extraction and fractionation of a natural matrix to obtain pure metabolites
. Ability to carry out the correct microscopic recognition of plant structures and the recognition of plant species of pharmaceutical interest
. Ability to evaluate, thanks to the analysis of examples of medicinal plants, the meaning of their pharmaceutical importance and the role of different floristic territories as sources of plant biodiversity
. Ability to apply the knowledge acquired to provide the public with historical and cultural information on medicinal plants and their current impact on the market in order to encourage a rational use of these resources.
. Ability to orient yourself in choosing sources and fundamental information to update yourself and acquire new knowledge on medicinal and officinal plants.
The expected learning outcomes are the following:
. Knowledge of the specific language for the description of medicinal plants and herbal drugs, from the microscopic level of cellular structure to the macroscopic level of morphology. Knowledge of the terminology inherent to the systematics of medicinal plants. Knowledge of the correct definition of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).
. Knowledge of the fundamental notions regarding conservation, alteration of herbal drugs. Understanding the mechanism underlying the extraction and fractionation of a natural matrix to obtain pure metabolites
. Ability to carry out the correct microscopic recognition of plant structures and the recognition of plant species of pharmaceutical interest
. Ability to evaluate, thanks to the analysis of examples of medicinal plants, the meaning of their pharmaceutical importance and the role of different floristic territories as sources of plant biodiversity
. Ability to apply the knowledge acquired to provide the public with historical and cultural information on medicinal plants and their current impact on the market in order to encourage a rational use of these resources.
. Ability to orient yourself in choosing sources and fundamental information to update yourself and acquire new knowledge on medicinal and officinal plants.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of general biology, with reference to cell structures. Knowledge of living organisms and the basics of chemistry and organic chemistry provided by secondary school courses.
Teaching Methods
The teaching uses lectures and practical exercises relating to the morphological recognition of plant drugs, their extraction and purification and the preliminary characterization of the extract. During the course, flipped classrooms are also offered which include presentations and discussions of medicinal species managed by the students.
For students with specific needs, who cannot attend teaching activities in person and who have applied for Inclusive Teaching Modality, teaching material suitable for fruitful independent study will be available. If requested, self-learning can be supported by tutoring or supplementary teaching activities, and by dedicated meetings, including online, with time flexibility depending on needs."
The teaching materials include the presentations of the lessons available through the Kiro moodle platform, which is also used for the organization of ongoing tests, the communication of results and communications with students.
For students with specific needs, who cannot attend teaching activities in person and who have applied for Inclusive Teaching Modality, teaching material suitable for fruitful independent study will be available. If requested, self-learning can be supported by tutoring or supplementary teaching activities, and by dedicated meetings, including online, with time flexibility depending on needs."
The teaching materials include the presentations of the lessons available through the Kiro moodle platform, which is also used for the organization of ongoing tests, the communication of results and communications with students.
Assessment Methods
The exam will be oral and will include a presentation prepared and discussed by each student on a medicinal plant.
The essay must present a scientific work focused on a medicinal species. For this species, the correct nomenclature, morphological description, description of the herbal drug, geographical distribution, registration in the Pharmacopoeia if present, chemical composition, pharmacological use, other uses/curiosities must be reported.
This presentation will be followed by questions relating to the course program.
There will be seven sessions, divided into February (2), June-July (3) and September (2).
The essay must present a scientific work focused on a medicinal species. For this species, the correct nomenclature, morphological description, description of the herbal drug, geographical distribution, registration in the Pharmacopoeia if present, chemical composition, pharmacological use, other uses/curiosities must be reported.
This presentation will be followed by questions relating to the course program.
There will be seven sessions, divided into February (2), June-July (3) and September (2).
Texts
It is possible to download the slides shown in class from Kiro web site.
Contents
Hints of Plant Cell, Plant Tissues and Plant Organs.
Medicinal plants: definition and description of the main approaches at the basis of their selection. Supply, collection and conservation of plant matrices.
Extraction of a natural matrix: description of conventional (e.g. maceration, infusion, and decoction) and innovative (e.g. microwave, ultrasound, and supercritical fluid assisted) extraction techniques. Particular attention will be also paid to the selection of the solvent and to the necessity of a pre-treatment of the matrix (e.g. drying, milling, and washing).
Fractionation of a crud extract: definition of the bio guided-assay fractionation approach, and description of the main techniques usually exploited to fractionate a crude extract (e.g. liquid/liquid or solid phase extraction, chromatography, precipitation or crystallization).
Practical laboratories concerning microscopic observations of plant samples and plant drugs, extraction from natural matrices, purification and characterization of plant extracts
Chemistry and biological significance of natural products in modern medicine will be discussed.
Some medicinal plants of different phytogeographical origin will be presented as examples taking into consideration taxonomical setting, proper nomenclature, morphology, geographical distribution, characteristics of natural source, main active metabolites and some information concerning pharmacological use and other uses.
Medicinal plants: definition and description of the main approaches at the basis of their selection. Supply, collection and conservation of plant matrices.
Extraction of a natural matrix: description of conventional (e.g. maceration, infusion, and decoction) and innovative (e.g. microwave, ultrasound, and supercritical fluid assisted) extraction techniques. Particular attention will be also paid to the selection of the solvent and to the necessity of a pre-treatment of the matrix (e.g. drying, milling, and washing).
Fractionation of a crud extract: definition of the bio guided-assay fractionation approach, and description of the main techniques usually exploited to fractionate a crude extract (e.g. liquid/liquid or solid phase extraction, chromatography, precipitation or crystallization).
Practical laboratories concerning microscopic observations of plant samples and plant drugs, extraction from natural matrices, purification and characterization of plant extracts
Chemistry and biological significance of natural products in modern medicine will be discussed.
Some medicinal plants of different phytogeographical origin will be presented as examples taking into consideration taxonomical setting, proper nomenclature, morphology, geographical distribution, characteristics of natural source, main active metabolites and some information concerning pharmacological use and other uses.
Course Language
English
More information
This module is a part of the course Secondary Plant Metabolism And Medicinal Plants, together with Secondary Plants Metabolism.
The course will be considered passed only once the student will obtain a positive grade in both the modules.
The course will be considered passed only once the student will obtain a positive grade in both the modules.
Degrees
Degrees
AGRI-FOOD SUSTAINABILITY
Master’s Degree
2 years
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