Experimental Models and Use of Herbal Drugs

The main objective of the course is to provide the main experimental models used to test the biological activity of natural products or their active principles, from in vitro models (cell or tissue cultures) to ex vivo studies and use of animal models. The choice of the animal model more suitable to test the pharmacological effect of natural compounds will be explained and discussed. Moreover, basic knowledge of biostatistics approaches will be provided to allow the statistical interpretation of results. Moreover, the course aims to provide information on the study of Phytotherapy, focusing on medicinal plants or botanicals with pharmacological activity, and their therapeutic and clinical use in humans. The course will be focused on therapeutic use of plants (efficacy) and adverse effects which may occur (safety).

At the end of the course, students are expected to know and understand the main methodologies that are currently used to test in vitro and in vivo the effects of drugs and botanicals. Some of them are experimental methods currently available in classical pharmacology. Students will be expected to know therapeutic effects of medicinal plants and their active components, paying particular attention to human studies. In addition to therapeutic use of botanicals, students will understand the aspects underlying efficacy of botanicals and potential adverse effects which may occur (safety).