General Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course is structured in two modules: General Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy.
The main objective of the general Pharmacology module is to learn the bases necessary to understand the activity of the drugs, both of natural or synthetic origin. The course is intended to provide the student the bases of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics while taking into account the most important neurotransmitters and their systems, from biogenic amines, to acetylcholine, from GABA to excitatory aminoacids and the arachidonic acid system.
The Pharmacognosy module will provide the student the basic knowledge about pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic of natural or synthetic biologically active molecules, with emphasis on how these processes will affect pharmacological activities of active compounds and their final therapeutic effects. This module will also explore more in detail pharmacologically active preparations from natural sources (with special emphasis on the preparations present in the European Pharmacopoeia), their active components and therapeutic applications.
The main objective of the general Pharmacology module is to learn the bases necessary to understand the activity of the drugs, both of natural or synthetic origin. The course is intended to provide the student the bases of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics while taking into account the most important neurotransmitters and their systems, from biogenic amines, to acetylcholine, from GABA to excitatory aminoacids and the arachidonic acid system.
The Pharmacognosy module will provide the student the basic knowledge about pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic of natural or synthetic biologically active molecules, with emphasis on how these processes will affect pharmacological activities of active compounds and their final therapeutic effects. This module will also explore more in detail pharmacologically active preparations from natural sources (with special emphasis on the preparations present in the European Pharmacopoeia), their active components and therapeutic applications.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the General Pharmacology module, the student should be familiar with the endogenous targets of the drugs (receptors, enzymes, pumps and transporters, ionic channels) and their relationship with the endogenous systems, such as sympathetic, parasympathetic, dopaminergic, serotoninergic, histaminergic, GABAergic, excitatory aminoacids as well as arachidonic acid system. In addition, students should have enough pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics notions to understand the function of active substances, both of natural or synthetic origin.For the Pharmacognosy module is expected that the student will acquire: knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of pharmacologically active molecules, either natural or synthetic; knowledge of the main pharmacokinetic parameters; knowledge of the main classes of pharmacological targets, with a specific focus on membrane and intracellular receptors; ability to evaluate the behavior of a pharmacologically active compound based on its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics; knowledge of the pharmacologically active compounds and therapeutic activities of medicinal drugs/botanicals belonging to different chemical or therapeutic classes; ability to identify potential pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interactions between drugs or botanicals/drugs.
Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Linea AL
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
MODULE: GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY
Notes on the History of Pharmacology. General mechanisms of drug action and routes of administration;
Pharmacokinetics: Absorption; Distribution; Metabolism; Elimination of drugs; Drug interactions.
Pharmacodynamics: molecular targets of drugs. Definition of receptor; methods to study Receptor function and activity. Dose-response curves, potency and efficacy. Definition of agonists, partial agonists, antagonists, inverse agonists. Drug-receptor interaction theories.
Classes of receptors: ion channel operated receptors, G protein-coupled receptors, tyrosine kinase receptors, cytokine receptors, cytosolic receptors. Signal transducers: Second and third messengers.
Pharmacology of neurotransmission: Cholinergic system, Adrenergic system, Dopaminergic system. Serotonergic system, Histaminergic system, Purinergic system, GABAergic system, Glutamatergic system. Ion channels and their pharmacological modulation; Immune system, inflammation and arachidonic acid cascade. Drugs active on gene transcription and epigenetic mechanisms;
Adaptive mechanisms in drug response. Preclinical research and development of new drugs.
MODULE: PHARMACOGNOSY
Introduction to Pharmacognosy. Historical notes of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy. The concepts of drugs and active principles. Organized and unorganized drugs: differences. The concept of phytocomplex. Interactions between the components of the phytocomplex. Characteristics that may influence variability of the phytocomplex. How to obtain a phytocomplex: basic concepts on extraction from plant matrix. Criteria and requirements of a drug/medicinal plant: macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, some examples. Stomatic index as a diagnostic element for drug recognition. The foreign elements of a drug. Sophistications: definitions and examples. The drug safety: risk, toxicity, and possible adverse reactions. The presence of potential toxic components in plant: pyrrolizidine alkaloids, essential oils, furanocoumarins, etc. Contaminations (microbes, pesticides, parasites, radiations, etc.). Limits from European Pharmacopoeia. Factors influencing the content of active principles. Natural and artificial factors. Exogenous (climatic and environmental conditions) or endogenous factors (age or stage of development, genetic factors, polyploidy, chemotypes). Artificial factors: cultivation, harvesting, storage and deterioration. Sterilization, freeze-drying and stabilization. Pharmacopoeia methods to measure the quality of a drug. Basic knowledge of the main classes of active ingredients from plants: alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenes (including essential oils), gums, mucilage, lignans. Medicinal plants acting on gabaergic neurotransmission, and drugs that induce sleep: valerian (Valeriana officinalis), Hops (Humulus lupulus), passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). Drugs acting on serotoninergic receptors: Hypericum perforatum. Saffron and lavender.
Plants acting on dopaminergic receptors: Erythroxylon coca and cocaine. Plants containing L-dopa (Vicia faba, Mucuna pruriens). Drugs useful in brain dysfunctions: bacopa (Bacopa monnieri), turmeric (Curcuma longa), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea). Drugs acting on muscarinic or nicotinic receptors: belladonna (Atropa belladonna), Hyoscyamus niger, stramonium (Datura stramonium), Betel palm (Areca catechu), Jaborandi (Pilocarpus jaborandi), curare, Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), Lobelia (Lobelia inflata). Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Calabar bean (Physotigma venenosum). Caffeine: pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action and natural sources. Plants containing xanthines: coffee (Coffea arabica), tea (Camellia sinensis), guaranà (Paullinia cupana), matè (Ilex paraguariensis), Cola (Cola spp.), cocoa (Theobroma cacao). Plants acting on the urinary tract infections: Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), Blackberry, and bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva ursi). Drugs against gastrointestinal disorders. Eupeptic and bitter: gentian (Gentiana lutea), Centaurium erythraea, bitter orange (Citrus x aurantium), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), cinchona (Cinchona spp.), Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica). Gastritis and gastric ulcer. Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), and anti-Helicobacter pylori effect. Gut inflammatory diseases. Anthraquinones as laxative agents; source and mechanism of action: Cassia angustifolia, Rhubarb, Rhamnus spp., Aloe juice. Drugs against intestinal inflammation: Aloe gel, Artemisia, Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) and Boswellia (Boswellia serrata). Mass laxatives, gums and mucilage. Plantago spp. and Linum usitatissimum. Glucomannan. Manna. Anthelmintics. Tannins as antidiarrhoeic agents. Drugs against nausea: ginger (Zingiber officinale). Plants against hemorrhoids: horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus), Vitis vinifera leaves. Drugs with immunomodulatory activity: ginseng (Panax ginseng), mechanism of action and potential adverse effects. Eleutherococcus (Eleutherococcus senticosus), composition and activity. Echinacea purpurea. Drugs useful for the cardiovascular system: cardioactive glycosides, Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), active ingredients and mechanism of action. Strophantus hispidus, Urginea maritima, other plants containing cardioactive glycosides. Crataegus spp. Drugs and dyslipidemia. Red Yeast rice. Antiplatelet drugs (Garlic, Ginkgo). Antitumoral drugs: Podophyllum peltatum, vinca alkaloids (vincristine and vinblastine), Taxus spp. and taxol: mechanism of action and biological activity. Phytoestrogens and use in menopause. Soybean (Glicine max), Trifolium pratense. Cimicifuga racemosa. Benign prostatic hyperplasia: Nettle (Urtica dioica) and Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens).
Notes on the History of Pharmacology. General mechanisms of drug action and routes of administration;
Pharmacokinetics: Absorption; Distribution; Metabolism; Elimination of drugs; Drug interactions.
Pharmacodynamics: molecular targets of drugs. Definition of receptor; methods to study Receptor function and activity. Dose-response curves, potency and efficacy. Definition of agonists, partial agonists, antagonists, inverse agonists. Drug-receptor interaction theories.
Classes of receptors: ion channel operated receptors, G protein-coupled receptors, tyrosine kinase receptors, cytokine receptors, cytosolic receptors. Signal transducers: Second and third messengers.
Pharmacology of neurotransmission: Cholinergic system, Adrenergic system, Dopaminergic system. Serotonergic system, Histaminergic system, Purinergic system, GABAergic system, Glutamatergic system. Ion channels and their pharmacological modulation; Immune system, inflammation and arachidonic acid cascade. Drugs active on gene transcription and epigenetic mechanisms;
Adaptive mechanisms in drug response. Preclinical research and development of new drugs.
MODULE: PHARMACOGNOSY
Introduction to Pharmacognosy. Historical notes of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy. The concepts of drugs and active principles. Organized and unorganized drugs: differences. The concept of phytocomplex. Interactions between the components of the phytocomplex. Characteristics that may influence variability of the phytocomplex. How to obtain a phytocomplex: basic concepts on extraction from plant matrix. Criteria and requirements of a drug/medicinal plant: macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, some examples. Stomatic index as a diagnostic element for drug recognition. The foreign elements of a drug. Sophistications: definitions and examples. The drug safety: risk, toxicity, and possible adverse reactions. The presence of potential toxic components in plant: pyrrolizidine alkaloids, essential oils, furanocoumarins, etc. Contaminations (microbes, pesticides, parasites, radiations, etc.). Limits from European Pharmacopoeia. Factors influencing the content of active principles. Natural and artificial factors. Exogenous (climatic and environmental conditions) or endogenous factors (age or stage of development, genetic factors, polyploidy, chemotypes). Artificial factors: cultivation, harvesting, storage and deterioration. Sterilization, freeze-drying and stabilization. Pharmacopoeia methods to measure the quality of a drug. Basic knowledge of the main classes of active ingredients from plants: alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenes (including essential oils), gums, mucilage, lignans. Medicinal plants acting on gabaergic neurotransmission, and drugs that induce sleep: valerian (Valeriana officinalis), Hops (Humulus lupulus), passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). Drugs acting on serotoninergic receptors: Hypericum perforatum. Saffron and lavender.
Plants acting on dopaminergic receptors: Erythroxylon coca and cocaine. Plants containing L-dopa (Vicia faba, Mucuna pruriens). Drugs useful in brain dysfunctions: bacopa (Bacopa monnieri), turmeric (Curcuma longa), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea). Drugs acting on muscarinic or nicotinic receptors: belladonna (Atropa belladonna), Hyoscyamus niger, stramonium (Datura stramonium), Betel palm (Areca catechu), Jaborandi (Pilocarpus jaborandi), curare, Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), Lobelia (Lobelia inflata). Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Calabar bean (Physotigma venenosum). Caffeine: pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action and natural sources. Plants containing xanthines: coffee (Coffea arabica), tea (Camellia sinensis), guaranà (Paullinia cupana), matè (Ilex paraguariensis), Cola (Cola spp.), cocoa (Theobroma cacao). Plants acting on the urinary tract infections: Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), Blackberry, and bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva ursi). Drugs against gastrointestinal disorders. Eupeptic and bitter: gentian (Gentiana lutea), Centaurium erythraea, bitter orange (Citrus x aurantium), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), cinchona (Cinchona spp.), Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica). Gastritis and gastric ulcer. Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), and anti-Helicobacter pylori effect. Gut inflammatory diseases. Anthraquinones as laxative agents; source and mechanism of action: Cassia angustifolia, Rhubarb, Rhamnus spp., Aloe juice. Drugs against intestinal inflammation: Aloe gel, Artemisia, Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) and Boswellia (Boswellia serrata). Mass laxatives, gums and mucilage. Plantago spp. and Linum usitatissimum. Glucomannan. Manna. Anthelmintics. Tannins as antidiarrhoeic agents. Drugs against nausea: ginger (Zingiber officinale). Plants against hemorrhoids: horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus), Vitis vinifera leaves. Drugs with immunomodulatory activity: ginseng (Panax ginseng), mechanism of action and potential adverse effects. Eleutherococcus (Eleutherococcus senticosus), composition and activity. Echinacea purpurea. Drugs useful for the cardiovascular system: cardioactive glycosides, Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), active ingredients and mechanism of action. Strophantus hispidus, Urginea maritima, other plants containing cardioactive glycosides. Crataegus spp. Drugs and dyslipidemia. Red Yeast rice. Antiplatelet drugs (Garlic, Ginkgo). Antitumoral drugs: Podophyllum peltatum, vinca alkaloids (vincristine and vinblastine), Taxus spp. and taxol: mechanism of action and biological activity. Phytoestrogens and use in menopause. Soybean (Glicine max), Trifolium pratense. Cimicifuga racemosa. Benign prostatic hyperplasia: Nettle (Urtica dioica) and Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens).
Prerequisites for admission
The course is aimed at students of the Degree in Pharmacy who have acquired basic knowledge of biology. Prerequisites are the topics covered in the propaedeutical exams reported in the Manifesto of the degree course.
Teaching methods
The course will be delivered through lectures with the use of slides and the material of the lessons will be made available on ARIEL.
For the Pharmacognosy module, during the course a visit to the Botanical Garden Museum of Brera (Milan) will be organized. The museum contains a variety of medicinal and officinal plants. In this way, students will be able to view and study in detail the morphology and the drug of the medicinal plants occurring in the garden. When available, parts of plants studied during the teaching will be brought to the lessons, to make the recognition of the drugs more effective.
The frequency of teaching is strongly recommended.
For the Pharmacognosy module, during the course a visit to the Botanical Garden Museum of Brera (Milan) will be organized. The museum contains a variety of medicinal and officinal plants. In this way, students will be able to view and study in detail the morphology and the drug of the medicinal plants occurring in the garden. When available, parts of plants studied during the teaching will be brought to the lessons, to make the recognition of the drugs more effective.
The frequency of teaching is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Books which may be consulted by students:
Clementi F., Fumagalli G Farmacologia generale e molecolare - V Edizione - EDRA
Goodman & Gilman: Le Basi Farmacologiche della Terapia; Il Manuale. Brunton, Parker, Blumenthal, Buxton. McGraw-Hill, Milano.
Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy: pharmacological basis and applications. G. Mazzanti, M. Dell'Agli, AA. Izzo. Piccin Editor, 2020.
Capasso F., Grandolini G. Izzo A. Fitoterapia. Springer, Milano.
On the teacher's Ariel site, you can download all the slides used for lessons.
https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=1599
https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=1087
Clementi F., Fumagalli G Farmacologia generale e molecolare - V Edizione - EDRA
Goodman & Gilman: Le Basi Farmacologiche della Terapia; Il Manuale. Brunton, Parker, Blumenthal, Buxton. McGraw-Hill, Milano.
Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy: pharmacological basis and applications. G. Mazzanti, M. Dell'Agli, AA. Izzo. Piccin Editor, 2020.
Capasso F., Grandolini G. Izzo A. Fitoterapia. Springer, Milano.
On the teacher's Ariel site, you can download all the slides used for lessons.
https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=1599
https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=1087
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will be aimed at ascertaining the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding and verifying the student's autonomy of judgment. Mastery of the topic, expository and synthesis skills will also be evaluated. For the General Pharmacology Module, the assessment will take place through a written exam on the topics covered during the course. The test is structured with 23 multiple-choice questions. Each question is worth 1.5 points if the answer is correct, -0.75 if wrong and 0 for the answer not given. The Pharmacology module will be passed with a score of at least 18. The duration of the test will be 30 minutes.
For the Pharmacognosy Part, the exam will be held in written form and will take 60 minutes. The exam consists of 10 multiple-answered questions (with 3 possible answers, of which only one is correct), and 2 open questions on the topics addressed during the course. Each correct answer is worth 2 points for multiple answer questions, while the best score for answers to open-ended questions is 5 points.
The results of the tests will be communicated by e-mail within the deadlines indicated during the execution of the final exam. The student can request to view the assignment at any time. During the academic year there are 8 exam sessions. The overall grade, expressed in thirtieths (18-30), will derive from the weighted average of the two modules, General Pharmacology (4 CFU) and Pharmacognosy (6 CFU).
For the Pharmacognosy Part, the exam will be held in written form and will take 60 minutes. The exam consists of 10 multiple-answered questions (with 3 possible answers, of which only one is correct), and 2 open questions on the topics addressed during the course. Each correct answer is worth 2 points for multiple answer questions, while the best score for answers to open-ended questions is 5 points.
The results of the tests will be communicated by e-mail within the deadlines indicated during the execution of the final exam. The student can request to view the assignment at any time. During the academic year there are 8 exam sessions. The overall grade, expressed in thirtieths (18-30), will derive from the weighted average of the two modules, General Pharmacology (4 CFU) and Pharmacognosy (6 CFU).
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY - University credits: 10
Lessons: 80 hours
Professors:
Dell'Agli Mario, Riva Marco Andrea
Linea MZ
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
Module of General Pharmacology
- Introduction to the study of pharmacology and definition of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
- General mechanisms of action of drugs and classification of their molecular targets
- Definition of receptor and methods for studying drug-receptor interactions
- Classification of receptors: G protein-coupled receptors, tyrosine kinase receptors, cytokine receptors, cytosolic receptors
- Signal transduction: second and third messengers
- Modulation of ion homeostasis: receptor- and voltage-operated channels, pumps and transporters
- Pharmacology of neurotransmission: cholinergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, histaminergic, purinergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic systems
- Other transmission systems: nitric oxide and arachidonic acid
- Introduction to preclinical and clinical drug development
Module of Pharmacognosy
o Drug Absorption, Distribution and Excretion. Basic pharmacokinetics
o Herbal drug-drug interactions
o Introduction to pharmacognosy: Definition and classification of natural drugs, variability of active principles, secondary metabolism and its physiological function, preservation and analysis of vegetable and animal drugs, quality control, standardization, natural drugs in Pharmacopoeia.
o Alkaloid-based drugs: generalities of alkaloids
o Drugs containing indole alkaloids: Rauwolfia serpentina, Physostigma venenosum, ergot alkaloids, other hallucinogenic indole alkaloids
o Drugs containing tropane alkaloids: Erythroxylum coca, Atropa belladonna, Datura stramonium, Hyosciamus niger
o Drugs containing imidazole alkaloids: Pilocarpus Jaborandi
o Drugs containing isoquinoline and phenanthrenic alkaloids: curares, Papaver somniferum (opium varieties, major opium alkaloids, introduction to central mechanisms of nociception, opioids, opiates and their receptors, clinic and therapeutic use of opiates, abuse and withdrawal syndrome).
o Drugs containing phenylalkylamine alkaloids: Catha edulis, Ephedra sinica, Pejote and San Pedro Cactus, Capsicum (introduction to peripheral transmission of pain and its interference by capsaicin)
o Drugs containing piperidine/pyridine alkaloids: Areca cathecu, Lobelia inflata, Nicotiana tabacum
o Drugs containing quinolinic alkaloids: Cinchona spp., alkaloid content, pharmacological properties of the china components, antimalarial activity (introduction to malaria, plasmodium life cycle, therapy and prevention of malaria) and antiarrhythmic activity.
o Xanthine-based drugs: Coffea spp., Thea spp., Theobroma cacao, Cola acuminata, Ilex paraguensis, Paullinia cupana.
o Psychostimulants and hallucinogens: definition of substances with depressing, anxiolytic, stimulatory and hallucinogenic effects on the CNS. Erythroxylum coca, Cannabis sativa. Amanita muscaria, Piptadenia peregrina, Peganum harmala, Psilocybe mexicana, Lophophora williamsii. Psychedelic anaesthetics: ketamine, fenciclydine.
o Natural antidepressants: Hypericum perforatum (characteristics, active components, mechanism of action, therapeutic use)
o Hints on neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer's disease, Ginkgo Biloba, antioxidants (green tea, grapes, Curcuma longa)
o Carbohydrate-based drugs: starch (wheat, corn, rice and potato), cellulose. Acacia senegal, Astragalus gummifer, Sterculia spp, Cyanopsis tetragonolobus (arabic, tragacanth, karaia e guar gum), Malva silvestris, Althea officinalis, Linum usitatissimum, Tilia spp., Aloe spp., vegetable fibers.
o Glycoside-based drugs: Anthraquinone glycosides: Cassia spp., Ramnus spp., Rheum spp., Aloe spp (therapeutic uses, mechanism of action, side effects). Cardioactive glycosides: Digitalis spp., Strophantus spp. (use in congestive cardiac failure, mechanism of action, side effects).
o Lipid-based drugs: simple and complex lipids, fatty acid composition of lipids, features, quality control, nutritional and pharmacological aspects of vegetable oils. Olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, soybean oil, evening primrose oil, castor oil.
o Flavonoid-based drugs: overview and protective roles of antioxidants. Passiflora incarnata, Citrus spp., Ginkgo biloba.
o Phenolic and Salicylate drugs: Ursina grapes, Populus e Salix.
o Solphorate-based drugs: Allium Sativum.
o Drugs acting on the immune system: Introduction to immune function and to factors that depress the immune system, natural immunomodulators and their mechanism of action. Echinacea spp., Panax ginseng, Eleutherococcum, Witania, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Thuja occidentalis, Angelica sinensis
o Antitumor drugs: incidence and pathogenesis of human cancesr, carcinogenesis and tumor transformation, natural antitumor agents. antibiotics; Vinca spp., Taxus, Phodophyllum peltatum, Camptotheca acuminata, other phytotherapic drugs with antitumor activity (Viscum album, Evening Primerose, sho-saiko-to).
- Introduction to the study of pharmacology and definition of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
- General mechanisms of action of drugs and classification of their molecular targets
- Definition of receptor and methods for studying drug-receptor interactions
- Classification of receptors: G protein-coupled receptors, tyrosine kinase receptors, cytokine receptors, cytosolic receptors
- Signal transduction: second and third messengers
- Modulation of ion homeostasis: receptor- and voltage-operated channels, pumps and transporters
- Pharmacology of neurotransmission: cholinergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, histaminergic, purinergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic systems
- Other transmission systems: nitric oxide and arachidonic acid
- Introduction to preclinical and clinical drug development
Module of Pharmacognosy
o Drug Absorption, Distribution and Excretion. Basic pharmacokinetics
o Herbal drug-drug interactions
o Introduction to pharmacognosy: Definition and classification of natural drugs, variability of active principles, secondary metabolism and its physiological function, preservation and analysis of vegetable and animal drugs, quality control, standardization, natural drugs in Pharmacopoeia.
o Alkaloid-based drugs: generalities of alkaloids
o Drugs containing indole alkaloids: Rauwolfia serpentina, Physostigma venenosum, ergot alkaloids, other hallucinogenic indole alkaloids
o Drugs containing tropane alkaloids: Erythroxylum coca, Atropa belladonna, Datura stramonium, Hyosciamus niger
o Drugs containing imidazole alkaloids: Pilocarpus Jaborandi
o Drugs containing isoquinoline and phenanthrenic alkaloids: curares, Papaver somniferum (opium varieties, major opium alkaloids, introduction to central mechanisms of nociception, opioids, opiates and their receptors, clinic and therapeutic use of opiates, abuse and withdrawal syndrome).
o Drugs containing phenylalkylamine alkaloids: Catha edulis, Ephedra sinica, Pejote and San Pedro Cactus, Capsicum (introduction to peripheral transmission of pain and its interference by capsaicin)
o Drugs containing piperidine/pyridine alkaloids: Areca cathecu, Lobelia inflata, Nicotiana tabacum
o Drugs containing quinolinic alkaloids: Cinchona spp., alkaloid content, pharmacological properties of the china components, antimalarial activity (introduction to malaria, plasmodium life cycle, therapy and prevention of malaria) and antiarrhythmic activity.
o Xanthine-based drugs: Coffea spp., Thea spp., Theobroma cacao, Cola acuminata, Ilex paraguensis, Paullinia cupana.
o Psychostimulants and hallucinogens: definition of substances with depressing, anxiolytic, stimulatory and hallucinogenic effects on the CNS. Erythroxylum coca, Cannabis sativa. Amanita muscaria, Piptadenia peregrina, Peganum harmala, Psilocybe mexicana, Lophophora williamsii. Psychedelic anaesthetics: ketamine, fenciclydine.
o Natural antidepressants: Hypericum perforatum (characteristics, active components, mechanism of action, therapeutic use)
o Hints on neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer's disease, Ginkgo Biloba, antioxidants (green tea, grapes, Curcuma longa)
o Carbohydrate-based drugs: starch (wheat, corn, rice and potato), cellulose. Acacia senegal, Astragalus gummifer, Sterculia spp, Cyanopsis tetragonolobus (arabic, tragacanth, karaia e guar gum), Malva silvestris, Althea officinalis, Linum usitatissimum, Tilia spp., Aloe spp., vegetable fibers.
o Glycoside-based drugs: Anthraquinone glycosides: Cassia spp., Ramnus spp., Rheum spp., Aloe spp (therapeutic uses, mechanism of action, side effects). Cardioactive glycosides: Digitalis spp., Strophantus spp. (use in congestive cardiac failure, mechanism of action, side effects).
o Lipid-based drugs: simple and complex lipids, fatty acid composition of lipids, features, quality control, nutritional and pharmacological aspects of vegetable oils. Olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, soybean oil, evening primrose oil, castor oil.
o Flavonoid-based drugs: overview and protective roles of antioxidants. Passiflora incarnata, Citrus spp., Ginkgo biloba.
o Phenolic and Salicylate drugs: Ursina grapes, Populus e Salix.
o Solphorate-based drugs: Allium Sativum.
o Drugs acting on the immune system: Introduction to immune function and to factors that depress the immune system, natural immunomodulators and their mechanism of action. Echinacea spp., Panax ginseng, Eleutherococcum, Witania, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Thuja occidentalis, Angelica sinensis
o Antitumor drugs: incidence and pathogenesis of human cancesr, carcinogenesis and tumor transformation, natural antitumor agents. antibiotics; Vinca spp., Taxus, Phodophyllum peltatum, Camptotheca acuminata, other phytotherapic drugs with antitumor activity (Viscum album, Evening Primerose, sho-saiko-to).
Prerequisites for admission
Subjects taught in the following preparatory courses are mandatory:
- Animal Biology
- Plant Biology and Pharmaceutical botany
- Human Anatomy
- Animal Biology
- Plant Biology and Pharmaceutical botany
- Human Anatomy
Teaching methods
Module of General Pharmacology
Frontal lessons with slides (32 hours).
Module of Pharmacognosy
This module will consist of seminars (48 hours).
Frontal lessons with slides (32 hours).
Module of Pharmacognosy
This module will consist of seminars (48 hours).
Teaching Resources
Module of General Pharmacology
Slides used during the frontal lessons are available on the MyAriel Platform.
Textbook: Farmacologia generale e molecolare, Clementi F., Fumagalli G. - Ed. EDRA
For consultation only: Goodman & Gilman: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Brunton, Parker, Blumenthal, Buxton - Ed. McGraw-Hill
Module of Pharmacognosy
· Slides provided by the teacher through the ARIEL website
· Botanica Farmaceutica e Farmacognosia - Piante officinali, droghe e prodotti erboristici. Sacchetti G. UTET Università
· Farmacognosia e Fitoterapia - Basi farmacologiche e aspetti applicativi. Mazzanti G, Dell'Agli M, Izzo AA. Piccin
· Farmacognosia. Capasso F, De Pasquale R, Grandolini G, Mascolo N. Springer (ultima edizione)
· Fitoterapia. L'impiego razionale delle droghe vegetali. Capasso F, Grandolini G, Izzo AA. Springer (ultima edizione)
· Trease and Evans' - Pharmacognosy, Edition 16 - Elsevier
Slides used during the frontal lessons are available on the MyAriel Platform.
Textbook: Farmacologia generale e molecolare, Clementi F., Fumagalli G. - Ed. EDRA
For consultation only: Goodman & Gilman: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Brunton, Parker, Blumenthal, Buxton - Ed. McGraw-Hill
Module of Pharmacognosy
· Slides provided by the teacher through the ARIEL website
· Botanica Farmaceutica e Farmacognosia - Piante officinali, droghe e prodotti erboristici. Sacchetti G. UTET Università
· Farmacognosia e Fitoterapia - Basi farmacologiche e aspetti applicativi. Mazzanti G, Dell'Agli M, Izzo AA. Piccin
· Farmacognosia. Capasso F, De Pasquale R, Grandolini G, Mascolo N. Springer (ultima edizione)
· Fitoterapia. L'impiego razionale delle droghe vegetali. Capasso F, Grandolini G, Izzo AA. Springer (ultima edizione)
· Trease and Evans' - Pharmacognosy, Edition 16 - Elsevier
Assessment methods and Criteria
Two separate examinations will be organized for the two modules. The final mark will be the weighted average of the two marks.
A positive evaluation in the examination of the module of General Pharmacology is mandatory to sustain the examination of the module of Pharmacognosy, and the latter must be passed within 1 calendar year from the former.
Module of General Pharmacology
The examination will consist of a 30-minute written test based on 15 multiple-choice questions. Each question will give 2 points if the answer is correct and 0 points if the answer is incorrect or the question is left without an answer. The test will be passed with a minimum score of 18.
Module of Pharmacognosy
The examination will consist of an oral examination (about 20-minutes long colloquium); basic knowledge from the module of General Pharmacology will be fundamental for a positive outcome.
A positive evaluation in the examination of the module of General Pharmacology is mandatory to sustain the examination of the module of Pharmacognosy, and the latter must be passed within 1 calendar year from the former.
Module of General Pharmacology
The examination will consist of a 30-minute written test based on 15 multiple-choice questions. Each question will give 2 points if the answer is correct and 0 points if the answer is incorrect or the question is left without an answer. The test will be passed with a minimum score of 18.
Module of Pharmacognosy
The examination will consist of an oral examination (about 20-minutes long colloquium); basic knowledge from the module of General Pharmacology will be fundamental for a positive outcome.
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY - University credits: 10
Lessons: 80 hours
Professors:
Ceruti Stefania Maria, Gomaraschi Monica
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Please contact via email to arrange a meeting
Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti"
Reception:
By appointment
Centro E. Grossi Paoletti, Ospedale Niguarda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3
Reception:
appointment request through email