Molecular Bases of the Action of Health Products
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the student with the theoretical basis for understanding, from a molecular perspective, the mechanism of action, therapeutic use, and side effects of the main classes of active ingredients of herbal origin, their semisynthetic derivatives, and synthetic analogs. Specifically, lectures will focus on the chemical structure-biological activity relationships of the active ingredients and the chemical-pharmaceutical approaches followed for the purpose of improving their pharmacodynamic profile and pharmacokinetic properties.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: to identify and analyze the physicochemical properties of active ingredients of herbal origin; to identify and analyze their structure-activity relationships; to recognize and discuss the chemical-pharmaceutical approaches adopted for the improvement of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of major derivatives of semisynthetic or synthetic origin. Applied knowledge and understanding: starting from the analysis of physicochemical properties, structure-activity relationships, and side effects, to identify and propose chemical-pharmaceutical strategies for the improvement of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of active ingredients of herbal origin. Autonomy of judgment: to use critically and independently the knowledge acquired in the field of pharmaceutical chemistry of natural substances and their derivatives. Communication skills: effectively and appropriately expound and use concepts of medicinal chemistry applied to plant-derived active ingredients and their derivatives. Learning ability: actively use the knowledge and skills acquired in the field of pharmaceutical development of active ingredients of plant origin.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
the course is divided into an introductory section and a general section on pharmaceutical chemistry, which include the presentation and discussion of the following topics:
INTRODUCTORY SECTION
- Definition and classification of health-related products; differences between herbal medicines, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals.
- Preparation of raw plant material: mechanical methods (grinding, crushing, pressing).
- Main techniques for the extraction of active compounds: maceration, percolation, supercritical fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, Soxhlet extraction, Naviglio Extractor.
- Purification techniques for active compounds, with a focus on chromatographic methods and isolation strategies.
GENERAL SECTION ON PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY
- Introduction to pharmaceutical chemistry and drug discovery process.
- The phases of drug action (pharmaceutical phase: routes of administration, dosage forms, and solubility; pharmacokinetic phase: absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion; pharmacodynamic phase).
- Biological targets of active compounds (proteins, enzymes, receptors, nucleic acids).
- Physicochemical properties and biological activity (acidity, basicity, partition and distribution coefficients, chemical bonding).
- Structural features and biological activity (constitutional isomerism and stereoisomerism).
In the final stages of the course, students will be guided through the analysis of the biological activity of natural substances, with examples drawn from scientific literature and emblematic case studies.
INTRODUCTORY SECTION
- Definition and classification of health-related products; differences between herbal medicines, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals.
- Preparation of raw plant material: mechanical methods (grinding, crushing, pressing).
- Main techniques for the extraction of active compounds: maceration, percolation, supercritical fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, Soxhlet extraction, Naviglio Extractor.
- Purification techniques for active compounds, with a focus on chromatographic methods and isolation strategies.
GENERAL SECTION ON PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY
- Introduction to pharmaceutical chemistry and drug discovery process.
- The phases of drug action (pharmaceutical phase: routes of administration, dosage forms, and solubility; pharmacokinetic phase: absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion; pharmacodynamic phase).
- Biological targets of active compounds (proteins, enzymes, receptors, nucleic acids).
- Physicochemical properties and biological activity (acidity, basicity, partition and distribution coefficients, chemical bonding).
- Structural features and biological activity (constitutional isomerism and stereoisomerism).
In the final stages of the course, students will be guided through the analysis of the biological activity of natural substances, with examples drawn from scientific literature and emblematic case studies.
Prerequisites for admission
To profitably follow the face-to-face lectures of this teaching, the student must have basic knowledge of organic chemistry, biology, and pharmacology.
Teaching methods
Classroom lectures, guided practice sessions and clinical case studies. Class attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Lecture materials in electronic format presented in class will be progressively made available to students on UNIMI's MyAriel portal.
The following texts are recommended for further study:
- A. Gasco, F. Gualtieri, C. Melchiorre | Chimica Farmaceutica | Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
- G. Costantino, G. Sbardella | Chimica Farmaceutica | EdiSES Edizioni
- V.F. Roche, S.W. Zito, T.L. Lemke, D.A. Williams | Foye's Principi di Chimica Farmaceutica | Piccin Editore
- G. Sacchetti | Botanica Farmaceutica e Farmacognosia - Piante Officinali, Droghe e Prodotti Erboristici | UTET Università
- E. Stevens | Chimica farmaceutica - I processi di scoperta dei farmaci | PICCIN
The following texts are recommended for further study:
- A. Gasco, F. Gualtieri, C. Melchiorre | Chimica Farmaceutica | Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
- G. Costantino, G. Sbardella | Chimica Farmaceutica | EdiSES Edizioni
- V.F. Roche, S.W. Zito, T.L. Lemke, D.A. Williams | Foye's Principi di Chimica Farmaceutica | Piccin Editore
- G. Sacchetti | Botanica Farmaceutica e Farmacognosia - Piante Officinali, Droghe e Prodotti Erboristici | UTET Università
- E. Stevens | Chimica farmaceutica - I processi di scoperta dei farmaci | PICCIN
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a 90-minute written test comprising multiple-choice and open-ended questions.
The student must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts of each topic in the program. In particular, the assessment will take into account the student's ability to be able to answer all the questions formulated, the quality and clarity of the answers given, and mastery of language.
The final grade is expressed in thirtieths (30/30) and will be communicated automatically when the final results are entered with the possibility for the student to reject the grade obtained. The lecturer is available for review of the exam with students.
The student must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts of each topic in the program. In particular, the assessment will take into account the student's ability to be able to answer all the questions formulated, the quality and clarity of the answers given, and mastery of language.
The final grade is expressed in thirtieths (30/30) and will be communicated automatically when the final results are entered with the possibility for the student to reject the grade obtained. The lecturer is available for review of the exam with students.
CHIM/08 - PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Straniero Valentina
Professor(s)