Ateneo - UPO

The Course is composed of one section (4 CFU) of general Pharmacology, which focuses on the basic principles of Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics. Individual variations on drug responses, drug interactions, drug toxicities and abnormal drug responses, as well as general principles of Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacovigilance, will be also discussed in this section.The second section (5 CFU) of Pharmacognosy deals, first, with the study of the general aspects of this discipline. The pharmacological properties of some bioactive compounds, derived from natural products found in plants/animals/minerals, will be, then, studied. The Medicinal Plants course (5CFU) focuses on the anatomy, biology, physiology, characterization of higher plants and the definition of their secondary metabolites.
in addition, for plants used for therapeutic purposes, the description of the drug, the main active principles, the therapeutic and toxicological effects.

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The Course aims to give to the students the principles of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy. To achieve this goal a section (4 CFU) of General Pharmacology, dealing with the basis of drug action, and a section (5 CFU) of Pharmacognosy, dealing with the general principles as well as the specific study of natural bioactive compounds, will be considered.

We strongly suggest to pass the Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology, and Pathology exams before studying this Course.

Lectures will be given throughout the October-January and March-June.Seminars on specific scientific topics will be always organized.

The Professor will receive the students for specific questions every day by appointment.

The student will be evaluated by a quiz test (30 quiz in 30 min). The examination will be on-line (in computer room, if possible, or from remote). The test has 2/3 quiz for each section of the Course. The questions will be organized to allow students the achievement of goals.

GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY (4 CFU)Introduction to this discipline, general principlesPharmacodynamics:Drug-receptor interactions; Receptor theories; concentration-response curves, agonists, antagonists, partial agonists, inverse agonists;Drug specificity, potency, efficacy, and affinity; the median effective dose; the therapeutic index;G protein-coupled receptors, ion channel-linked receptors, intracellular receptors, enzyme-linked receptors;The intracellular effector systems. Pharmacokinetics:Chemical-physical properties of drugs; translocation of drugs across cell barriers;Routes of drug administration; biodisponibility; Drug absorption;Drug-protein binding;Drug distribution in the body;The apparent volume of distribution;Biotransformation and bioactivation;Removal of drugs from the body; renal excretion, the clearance concept;Kinetics of drug elimination, plasma half life.Individual variations in drug responsesDrug interactions Harmful effects of drugs: the median lethal dose Abnormal drug responsesPrinciples of Pharmacogenetics and PharmcovigilancePHARMACOGNOSY (5 CFU)General principles: drugs in Pharmacognosy. Biogenesis of the main pharmacologically active compounds: synthetic pathways Genetic and environmental factors affecting the contents of biologically active compounds Cell cultures as methods for studying the main biosynthetic pathways and the sources of biologically active compounds Preparation, preservation, recognition, quality determination, purity, and activity of drugsVegetable drugs used in the pathology of:The central and peripheral nervous systems: psycostimulants and tonics (cocaine, methylxanthine), hypnotics and sedatives (chrysin, valerianic acid), antidepressives (hypericin), analgesics (morphine);The cardiovascular system: cardiotonic (digoxin), vasoconstrictor (ergot alkaloids), antihypertensive (reserpine) agents;The respiratory system: cough suppression (codeine), antiasthma (ephedrine) agents;The gastrointestinal system: stomatics (azulenes), eupeptics (capsaicin), antispastics (atropine); The urogenital system: anti-androgens (Serenoa Repens), antiseptics (arbutin).Drugs from plants, animals, and minerals: hormones, vitamins, antibiotics, halogens, metals, alkaline metals, metalloids, non-metals

In order to acquire the minimum level of learning, the student must have enough:
1) knowledge of the pharmacological bases of therapy and the main mechanisms of action underlying drug activity;
2) competence to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge and identify the data and tools necessary for the realization of a project;
3) skills in presentation of results, reading of texts, understanding of specific terminologies.
To acquire the advanced level, the student must be able to:
1) propose new innovative projects and methodologies;
2) interfacing with colleagues of the same or other disciplines;
3) modify the plan of project to achieve the proposals