Ateneo - UPO

Definition and characterization of medicinal and officinal plants.
Controls required on substances.
Primary, secondary metabolites and their biosynthesis.
Extraction and purification strategies for natural compounds: strategies, methodologies, choice criterions and application.
Phytochemical instrumentation and criterion of choice.
Pharmaceutical preparation based on medicinal and officinal plants.

CHIMICA, BIOSINTESI E BIOATTIVITA’ DELLE SOSTANZE NATURALI DEWICK, P.M.; PICCIN

MANUALE DELL’ERBORISTA BIOSINTESI, ESTRAZIONE ED IDENTIFICAZIONE DELLE SOSTANZE DI ORIGINE VEGETALE
MORELLI, I.; FLAMINI, G.; PISTELLI, L.; TECNICHE NUOVE

Sudents must be able to characterize medicinal and officinal plants
Knowledge of material validation controls is required.
Knowledge of second metabolite classes and biosynthesis.
Knowledge of extraction and purification strategies and methods of natural compounds from medicinal plants. Moreover, stundents must be able to theoretically and manage indipendently choose the most appropriate technique.
Knowledge of main phytochemical analytical instruments.
Knowlende of main pharmaceutical preparation based on medicinal and officinal plants.
Use correct terminology and appropriate language.
Be able to prepare correctly phytochemical and botanical products. Be able to recognise good quality botanical products.

Good knowledge of medicinal plants, physiology, both human and vegetal biology and organic chemistry planned in the didactical rules

Lectures with computer and video supporting: projection of powerpoint slides. Exercises. Examples of natural compounds, vegetal samples, plant materials, essential oils. The slides are present on the site in advance of the start of the courses. Presentation of the practical part in order to introduce students to what will be the experiences that they will be addressed in the laboratory and what are the main instruments that they will use. Practical laboratory with the execution of three processes explained during lessons.

Control of on-going learning with exercises and examples during lectures. Attendance is mandatory for admission to the practical laboratory and the exam. Required frequency: 75%. The attendance will be monitored in the classroom.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities

Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The correct execution of an exercise chosen by the teacher among: biosynthetic pathways, molecular structures, mother tincture formulation, phytochemical screening assay and mass spectrum guarantees the proceeding of the exam through an oral examination. The oral exam could be written and / or online only if necessary and specified by valid motivation. The exam is based on open questions, definitions and process descriptions relating to all the material covered during the lessons.
The student will have to demonstrate that She/he has learned the definition and characterization of botanicals and medicinal plants, to know the quality control relating to the raw materials, the classes of secondary metabolites and their biosynthesis and chemistry. The student will also have to know and understand the application of the main purification techniques and decide autonomously which ones to use on the basis of the selection criteria. The student will have to know the main analytical tools of a phytochemical laboratory and their functioning and analysis criteria, the main galenic preparations based on medicinal and officinal plants and have the ability to hypothesize purifying processes.
Language and terminology is absolutely required.

Medicinal plants: definition and characterization
Controls required on botanical source
Primary metabolites: carbohyrates and lipids
Second metabolites: polyacetylenes, alkylamides, alcaloids, terpenoids, phytocannabinoids, phenolic compounds and their biosynthesis
Purification techniques.
Extractive techniques.
Concentration and evaporation techniques.
Analytical instruments and their functions
Preparations based on medicinal plants
A critical view of homeopathy

Students will have knowledge of medicinal plants and secondary metabolites used in main commercialized botanicals, they will be able to decide witch extraction and purification strategies and methods to obtain natural compounds from medicinal plants, to prepare botanicals and to store products in adeguate conditions. Moreover, stundents will be able to recognise good quality products and will have knowledge of plants used for the industrial extraction and production of pharmaceutical drugs.