Curricular Unit:			Code:
Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy			843FCFT
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
2	Master	Pharmaceutical Sciences	7 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
Winter Semester		Portuguese/English	91
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
The main goals are the acquisition of competences that allow the students to i) recognize general aspects of the main drugs of natural origin, particularly those from the Plant Kingdom, with interest for therapy or medicines production, ii) validate health products as herbal medicines, iii) recognize general aspects of the main vegetal species used in Phytotherapy, grouping them by their main active constituents and/or their application in the therapy of different clinical situations, iv) advise the patient in the use of herbal medicines, v) determine their quality, efficacy and safety, and vi) prepare and/or recognize the clinical application of preparations containing medicinal plants.
Syllabus:
Theoretical classes: 1. General concepts on Pharmacognosy 2. Phenolic compounds: phenolic acids, coumarins, flavonoids, quinones. 3. Terpenoids and steroids 4. Amino compounds (alkaloids and methylxanthines) 5. Introduction to Phytotherapy 6. Legislation on medicines containing medicinal plants 7. Applied phytotherapy 8. Pharmaceutical intervention on Phytotherapy Laboratorial classes: Planning and execution of scientific experiments in the area of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy. Identification and analysis of products of vegetal origin. Analysis of the quality, efficacy and safety of preparations containing medicinal plants. Preparation and/or recognition of clinical application of preparations containing medicinal plants.
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
The program contents are fully consistent with the learning objectives of the course. The workload of each of the content is also appropriated for the acquisition of knowledge and competences by the students.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
Pedagogic execution of the theoretical classes: presentation of relevant theoretical concepts in the classroom, practical application of some concepts, orientation of student’s self-study by analysis of recommended bibliography. Debate on actual and pertinent issues. Pedagogic execution of the laboratorial classes: preparation, execution and discussion of the foreseen laboratorial protocols which reinforce the theoretical learning. Evaluation: Theoretical (whose weighting coefficient is 80% in the final grade of the UC)- Two summative assessment tests, 2 h (50% each of the final grade). The student must obtain an average of 9.5 or above. Practice (whose weighting coefficient is 20% in the final grade of the UC)- One summative assessment test, 1 h 30 m (60% of the final grade) + elaboration of a essay (20% of the final grade) + execution of the experimental protocols (20% of the final grade). The student must obtain an average of 9.5 or above.
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
The teaching methodologies (theoretical exposition, debate and orientation of self-study and laboratorial work) are fully consistent with the learning objectives of the course. The workload of each of the content is also appropriated for the acquisition of knowledge and competences by the students. The laboratorial component strengthens the knowledge and reinforces the acquisition of competences.
Reading:
Vinha, A.F., Sousa, C., Oliveira, M.B.P.P. (2020). Food waste and by-products recovery: nutraceutical and health potential of carotenoids as natural pigments. 1ª Ed., Lambert Academic Publishing. ISBN: 978620-2-67242-9. Proença da Cunha, A. (2010) Farmacognosia e Fitoquímica. Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisboa. ISBN: 9789723111422 Cunha, A.P., Teixeira, F., Silva, A. & Roque, O.R. (2012) Plantas na terapêutica: farmacologia e ensaios clínicos. 2ª Ed. Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisboa. ISBN: 978-972-31-1224-5 European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP). ESCOP Monographs. The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Publicado online em http://www.escop.com/ Souto, R., Pimenta, A. e Catarino, R. (2018). Manual Prático de Análise Química, 1ª Ed., Lusodidacta, Loures. Farmacopeia Portuguesa (edições IV, V e VIII).