Curricular Unit:			Code:
Pharmacognosy			1202FCOG
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
2	Master	Pharmaceutical Sciences	4 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
Spring Semester		Portuguese/English	52
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
The main objective of Pharmacognosy discipline is the knowledge of drugs usually produced by natural origin, particularly those who belong to plant kingdom. It is intended that the student, as a future pharmacist, acquire knowledge and skills that allow solving problems essentially on the identification and analysis of plant products with interest for therapeutics or for medicines production.
Syllabus:
Pharmacognosy definition. Plants utilization in therapeutics. Medicinal plants production. Basic metabolic pathways and secondary metabolites. Carbohydrates, via acetate synthesized metabolites, via shikimate synthesized metabolites, essential oils, saponins, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids e xanthins: definitions, structures, biosynthesis, extractive and identification methods, physiological and pharmacological activities, vegetal drugs presenting these compounds.
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
The programmatic contents address the metabolic pathways of secondary metabolites in plants, as well as the main chemical reactions of synthesis and hydrolysis of them. Due to the manifestly recognized therapeutic effects of those compounds, some as active principles in medicines. This theme is part of the main learning objectives for our students, so that they develop autonomy and critical capacity in the knowledge of pharmacognosy.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
Theory: two written tests (50% each), 1 written test (15%); practice: 1 full report (5%).
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
The teaching methodologies are theoretical classes, using digital format, based on a thorough and specific bibliography. In these classes students may acquire all necessary knowledge integrated within the discipline. The practical component is laboratory practice wherein the work carried out is related to the theoretical component. In this practical component is intended that students acquire knowledge of validated analytical techniques in plants.
Reading:
1. Costa, A. F. - Farmacognosia - Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisboa, 1994. 2. Bruneton, J. - Pharmacognosie, Phytochimie, Plantes Médicinales - TEC & DOC, Paris, 1999. 3. Proença da Cunha, A. – Farmacognosia e Fitoquímica - 3th ed. Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisboa, 2010. 4. Vilar del Fresno, A. - Farmacognosia General - Sintesis, Madrid, 1999.