Phytotherapy

Code:

MI073259

Acronym:

FITOT

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Health Sciences

Instance: 2019/2020 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://moodle.up.pt/course/view.php?id=66
Responsible unit:	Pharmacognosy Laboratory
Course/CS Responsible:	MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MICF	18	Official Curriculum	3	-	3	52	81

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

This course unit aims to provide students with technical and scientific knowledge for the handling and use of medicines and herbal health products, especially with regard to patient advice and evaluation of quality, efficacy and safety of these products.

Learning outcomes and competences

The student will have basic knowledge about the therapeutic use of plant products that support the dispensing and advice of herbal medicines, enable him to follow up, monitoring, dispensing and use of such products, safeguarding the potential risks of associating parallel therapies. He will be able to dispense quality products with guaranteed safety and efficacy.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Theoretical component:

1. Introduction to Phytotherapy
1.1. Concepts and contents
1.2. Phytotherapy in current therapy
2. Regulatory affairs
2.1. Medicinal plants
2.2. Plants-containing health products
2.3. EMA, ESCOP, WHO, German commission E
3. Collection, harvesting and conservation of medicinal plants
4. Quality Control
4.1. Pharmacopoeias
4.2. Botanical, chemical and biological control
5. Use of medicinal plants
5.1. Active constituents
5.2. Main pharmacological effects
5.3. Interactions, adverse reactions and toxicity
6. Galenical forms used in Phytotherapy
7. Plants and products used in Phytotherapy
8. Toxic plants


Laboratorial component:

1. Identity and quality control of products available on the market
1.1. Labeling analysis
1.2. Macroscopic and microscopic assays
1.3. Chemical assays
2. Preparation of a report about a product

Mandatory literature

Blumenthal Mark ed.; ABC clinical guide to herbs. ISBN: 0-13-132391-4
Barnes Joanne; Herbal medicines. ISBN: 978-0-85369-623-0
Wichtl, M.; Anton, R.; Plantes thérapeutiques – tradition, pratique officinale, science et thérapeutique, TEC & DOC, 1999. ISBN: 2-7430-0267-0
Comissão da Farmacopeia Portuguesa; Farmacopeia portuguesa VIII. ISBN: 972-8425-67-8
Cunha A. Proença da; Plantas e produtos vegetais em fitoterapia. ISBN: 972-31-1010-5
Bruneton, Jean; Pharmacognosie, Phytochimie, Plantes Médicinales, Lavoisier TEC & DOC, 2016. ISBN: 978-2-7430-2165-8
Jean Bruneton; Plantes toxiques. ISBN: 2-7430-0806-7
Carol A. Newall; Herbal medicines. ISBN: 0-85369-289-0

Teaching methods and learning activities

The teaching method used is blended learning, combining e-learning with classroom contact hours. Thus, the presentations given in the classes will be available in the e-learning platform Moodle.  

Theoretical classes: 2 h/week. Presentations in "data show" (powerpoint). The presentations will be available for students through e-learning platform prior to classroom.

Laboratorial classes: 2 h/week. Tests of identity and quality control of Traditional Herbal Medicines.

keywords

Health sciences > Pharmacological sciences > Pharmacy
Health sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Trabalho laboratorial	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	48,00
Total:	48,00

Eligibility for exams

The assistance of students to theoretical classes is mandatory. Students with less than 75% attendance of effectively given lectures are considered without attendance.
The assistance of students to laboratorial classes is mandatory. Students with less than 75% attendance of effectively given lectures are considered without attendance.

Calculation formula of final grade

The evaluation of the theoretical component consists in the preparation, presentation and defense of a report on a specific topic. The theoretical component will contribute to the final classification of the course with a relative weight of 50% (10 points).

The evaluation of the laboratorial component consists in the preparation, presentation and defense of a report on the identity and quality control of a product available in the market. The laboratorial component will contribute to the final score with a relative weight of 50% (10 points).

Students with a grade of less than 50% (5 points) in one of the components (laboratorial or theoretical component) are considered failed.

Examinations or Special Assignments

There is neither specific evaluation nor special assignments, except for those cases prescribed by law for students included in special regimens.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

In view of the content of each component, special assessments are not foreseen.

Classification improvement

Classification improvement can be obtained by an oral examination.

Observations

On March 7, 2020, the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto was closed, as a positive case of SARS-CoV-2 infection was identified. Additionally, the pandemic caused by this virus led to the establishment of a State of Emergency in Portugal, which was associated with a Contingency Plan.

 

Despite the changes imposed to the "Teaching Methods and Learning Activities", resulting from the application of the Covid-19 Contingency Plan, the UC program was taught in its entirety with the adjustments shown below:

• As of March 16, the theoretical classes started to take place at a distance, by synchronous sessions, as indicated in each summary, with the videos of these classes being made available later on the e-learning platform.
• Laboratory classes were suspended, making it impossible to carry out all the tests planned and necessary to prepare the report on the identity and quality control of a product available on the market, as indicated in the UC form. However, the students prepared the referred report using the results obtained until the suspension of laboratory classes, complementing it with a bibliographic review on the medicinal species involved. Teacher was always available to answer questions posed either by email or by the e-learning platform. The presentation and defense of this report took place remotely, by synchronous session, with the video of this class later made available on the e-learning platform.

The evaluation of the UC took place with the elements of evaluation foreseen and with the same formula for calculating the final classification.