Phytochemistry and Pharmacognosy I

Code:

MI072216

Acronym:

FTFGN1

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physical Sciences

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://moodle.up.pt/course/view.php?id=78
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	206	MICF - Transition Study Plan 2023/24 - 2024/25 - 2025/26	3	-	6	52	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Knowledge of metabolic pathways of plant biosynthesis (particularly acetate and shikimate pathway,);
Knowledge of chemical groups and biosynthetic pathways of origin of specialized metabolites;
Knowledge of drugs of natural origin, either included or not in pharmacopoeias:
-with pharmacological actions and used in therapeutics
-containing starting materials for the semisynthesis of pharmacologically active molecules by the pharmaceutical industry
- relevant for pharmaceutical and food industries.

Learning outcomes and competences

In a broad sense, the student will acquire knowledge and skills on products of plant origin with therapeutic activity and on active principles with pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and, when applicable, toxicological interest. The student will have an overview of the various ways of using plant species and will acquire knowledge about the techniques applicable to their quality control.

The program covers, in whole or in part, topics D (organic chemistry), E (analytical chemistry), F (pharmaceutical chemistry, including analysis of medicinal products), J (pharmacology and pharmacotherapy), L (toxicology) and M (pharmacognosy) of Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the recognition of professional qualifications.

These topics are also provided for in the Pharmaceutical Act.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Concepts of phytochemistry and pharmacognosy
2. Therapeutic use of drugs of plant origin
3. Microscopic analysis of plant drugs
4. Primary metabolites
4.1. Carbohydrates
4.1.1. Monosaccharides
4.1.2. Oligosaccharides
4.1.3. Polysaccharides
4.1.3.1. Bacteria and fungi polysaccharides
4.1.3.2. Algae polysaccharides
4.1.3.3. Vascular plants polysaccharides
4.1.3.3.1. Homogeneous polysaccharides
4.1.3.3.1.1. Starch
4.1.3.3.1.2. Cellulose
4.1.3.3.1.3. Frutans 
4.1.3.3.2. Heterogeneous polysaccharides
4.1.3.3.2.1. Gums
4.1.3.3.2.2. Mucilages
4.1.3.3.2.3. Pectic substances
4.2. Lipids
4.3. Proteins
5. Specialized metabolism compounds
5.1. Acetyl-coenzyme A and acetate pathway metabolites
5.1.1. Quinones
5.1.1.1. Biosynthesis and classification
5.1.1.2. Physicochemical properties and analysis
5.1.1.3. Pharmacological activity and therapeutic use
5.1.1.4. Naphthoquinone-containing plant drugs
5.1.1.5. Anthraquinone-containing plant drugs
5.1.1.6. Naphthodiantrone-containing plant drugs
5.1.2. Orcinols and phloroglucinols
5.1.2.1. Biosynthesis
5.1.2.2. Pharmacological activity
5.1.2.3. Plant drugs with these compounds
5.2. Shikimic acid and shikimic acid pathway metabolites
5.2.1. Simple phenols and phenolic acids
5.2.1.1. Biosynthesis
5.2.1.2. Physicochemical properties and analysis
5.2.1.3. Simple phenol-containing plant drugs
5.2.1.4. Phenolic acid-containing plant drugs
5.2.2. Coumarins
5.2.2.1. Biosynthesis
5.2.2.2. Physicochemical properties and analysis
5.2.2.3. Pharmacological activity and therapeutic use
5.2.2.4. Plant drugs with these compounds
5.2.3. Lignans, neolignans and related compounds 
5.2.3.1. Biosynthesis
5.2.3.2. Pharmacological activity and therapeutic use
5.2.3.3. Plant drugs with these compounds 
5.2.4. Diarylheptanoids, arylalkanones and stilbenoids
5.2.4.1. Biosynthesis
5.2.4.2. Physicochemical properties and analysis
5.2.4.3. Pharmacological activity and therapeutic use
5.2.4.4. Plant drugs containing these compounds 
5.2.5. Xanthones
5.2.5.1. Biosynthesis
5.2.5.2. Physicochemical properties and analysis
5.2.5.3. Pharmacological activity and therapeutic use
5.2.5.4. Xanthone-containing plant drugs
5.2.6. Flavonoids
5.2.6.1. Biosynthesis, chemical structure and classification
5.2.6.2. Physicochemical properties and analysis
5.2.6.3. Biological properties and therapeutic use
5.2.6.4. Flavonoid-containing drugs
5.2.7. Tannins
5.2.7.1. Biosynthesis, chemical structure and classification
5.2.7.2. Physicochemical properties and analysis
5.2.7.3. Biological properties and therapeutic use
5.2.7.4. Tannin-containing drugs

Mandatory literature

Bruneton, Jean; Pharmacognosie, Phytochimie, Plantes Médicinales, Lavoisier TEC & DOC, 2016. ISBN: 978-2-7430-2165-8
Valentão, Patrícia; Fitoquímica e Farmacognosia I, Manual de Laboratório 2020-2021

Complementary Bibliography

Comissão da Farmacopeia Portuguesa; Farmacopeia portuguesa VIII. ISBN: 972-8425-67-8
Cunha A. Proença da 340; Farmacognosia e fitoquímica. ISBN: 972-31-1142-X
Costa Aloísio Fernandes; Farmacognosia. ISBN: 972-31-0913-1

Teaching methods and learning activities

The course unit of Phytochemistry and Pharmacognosy I is included in the Moodle e-learning platform provided by the Office of Support for New Technologies in Education, UP. Thus, the presentations given in the lessons will be available in the platform. The platform also includes a forum to address the subjects from a different perspective of the lessons.

Theoretical lessons: will privilege the active method, using case studies, in a total of 2 h/week. Presentations in "data show" (powerpoint software).

Laboratorial lessons: 2 h/week. In the beginning of the semester a laboratory handbook is supplied to the students, where they will find the protocols of the works to be performed and the respective theoretical explanation. Videos will also be made available regarding laboratory work on phytochemical analysis. Each laboratorial work will be carried out by groups of two students. Whenever possible, the laboratorial work will correspond to the content of the theoretical lectures, in order to facilitate their interconnection.

keywords

Health sciences
Health sciences > Pharmacological sciences > Pharmacognosy

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	75,00
Trabalho laboratorial	25,00
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 lectures is not mandatory.
The assistance of students to laboratory lectures is mandatory. Students with less than 75% attendance of effectively given lectures are considered not eligible for the exam.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final classification = Laboratory component (5 values) + Theoretical component (15 values)

Theoretical component = Intermediate Test 1 (6 values) + Intermediate Test 2 (9 values)

Students with a grade of less than 2.5 in the laboratory component will be considered as having failed and will have to take a laboratory test during the normal exam period.

Students with a grade of the theoretical component lower than 6.0 will be considered as having failed.

Students who miss or fail the assessment during the regular period can take a full exam during the appeal period, which corresponds to the two intermediate tests (15 values).

Students with a final grade equal to or greater than 9.5 will be considered approved..

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, ...)

According to the general law and the rules adopted by the Educational Council.

Classification improvement

Classification improvement can be achieved by completing a full exam and a laboratory test (optional).
It is not possible to improve the classification of the laboratory component only.

Observations

In the context of the epidemiological situation in Portugal, if it proves necessary, the adoption of exceptional measures is foreseen.

Under these circumstances, the laboratory classes will take place in the laboratories, but respecting 50% of the usual capacity, with each class divided into two shifts, organizing the activities so that the shift that is not taking classes in the laboratory is developing alternative teaching activities. Theoretical classes will preferably take place in face-to-face sessions, with synchronous videoconference, at the established times and using the Colibri-Zoom platform. Access to face-to-face classes will be available to students who are on the shift from that week's laboratory classes, with synchronous transmission for students who are not in the faculty.