Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities of Naturally Occurring Substances
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide the main notions on the therapeutic efficacy and toxicology of products of natural origin: from the knowledge of the active ingredients to the molecular mechanisms involved. For therapeutic efficacy, basic notions about medicinal plants and the main classes of active principles will be presented. Additionally, the most commonly used plants in phytotherapy will be described, with particular attention to associated clinical studies. The course will provide indications for the correct use of herbal products, both in terms of quality and safety. The main toxic effects of some substances of natural origin will be addressed, with an in-depth study of the mechanisms of toxicity and the toxic effects on humans. New methodological approaches (NAMs), alternatives to the use of animals, will also be described in order to evaluate the toxicity of natural substances.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students are expected to know the main products of plant origin used in phytotherapy and the mechanisms underlying their clinical efficacy in humans. Furthermore, students will be expected to recognize the aspects that condition the efficacy and safety of a product of natural origin. The student will be able to describe the toxic effects, the related mechanisms of toxicity and the experimental approaches available to evaluate the toxicity of the compounds of natural origin treated during the course.
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 includes the development of the following topics:
A) Products of natural origin: introduction, definition, and history of pharmacognosy and phytotherapy. Concept of medicinal plant, drugs, active ingredients, drugs organized and not organized; the Pharmacopoeias.
· Phytocomplex: chemical and pharmacological properties (interactions between components).
· Variability factors of the content of active principles: endogenous and exogenous factors.
· Identification of a drug: macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, some examples.
· Overview on extraction systems for herbal drugs and their characteristics.
· Quality controls on herbal drugs.
· Sophistication, adulteration, falsification, alteration
· Preservation of Drug: freeze-drying, drying of crude drugs, stabilization, contamination
B) Efficacy and safety of the herbal products: risk, toxicity, and possible adverse reactions. The presence of potential toxic components in plant.
Basic knowledge of the main classes of active ingredients form plants: alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenes (including essential oils), gums, mucilage, lignans.
- Notions of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics;
- Interaction of medicinal plants with drugs or food;
- Analysis of medicinal plants for the gastroenteric system, for the respiratory system, for the cardiovascular system, for the liver and bile ducts, anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs for diuresis, and for the therapy of diabetes.
C) Human toxicity related to the use of botanical products:
· The toxicity of botanical products in respect to the mode of exposure: focus on oral, topical and airway exposure
· Refresh of chemical-biological methods for the evaluation of toxicity with focus on peculiar issues related to the characterization of the phytocomplex
· Classes of natural compounds by the toxicological point of view (alkaloids, coumarines, saponins, cardioactive glycosides, cyanogenetic glycosides, terpenes and phorbol esters, bioactive peptides)
· Main pharmacological mechanisms underneath the toxicity of natural substances: cytotoxicity due to oxidative and metabolic stress, cell cycle, chemical and physical damage Examples of hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and mucosal damage
· Examples of typical clinical manifestations related to adverse and toxic effects caused by natural products
· Proallergic effects and principles of allergenic potential assessment of natural products
· Occupational toxicity related to the management of natural products
· Abuse drugs and their toxicity
A) Products of natural origin: introduction, definition, and history of pharmacognosy and phytotherapy. Concept of medicinal plant, drugs, active ingredients, drugs organized and not organized; the Pharmacopoeias.
· Phytocomplex: chemical and pharmacological properties (interactions between components).
· Variability factors of the content of active principles: endogenous and exogenous factors.
· Identification of a drug: macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, some examples.
· Overview on extraction systems for herbal drugs and their characteristics.
· Quality controls on herbal drugs.
· Sophistication, adulteration, falsification, alteration
· Preservation of Drug: freeze-drying, drying of crude drugs, stabilization, contamination
B) Efficacy and safety of the herbal products: risk, toxicity, and possible adverse reactions. The presence of potential toxic components in plant.
Basic knowledge of the main classes of active ingredients form plants: alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenes (including essential oils), gums, mucilage, lignans.
- Notions of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics;
- Interaction of medicinal plants with drugs or food;
- Analysis of medicinal plants for the gastroenteric system, for the respiratory system, for the cardiovascular system, for the liver and bile ducts, anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs for diuresis, and for the therapy of diabetes.
C) Human toxicity related to the use of botanical products:
· The toxicity of botanical products in respect to the mode of exposure: focus on oral, topical and airway exposure
· Refresh of chemical-biological methods for the evaluation of toxicity with focus on peculiar issues related to the characterization of the phytocomplex
· Classes of natural compounds by the toxicological point of view (alkaloids, coumarines, saponins, cardioactive glycosides, cyanogenetic glycosides, terpenes and phorbol esters, bioactive peptides)
· Main pharmacological mechanisms underneath the toxicity of natural substances: cytotoxicity due to oxidative and metabolic stress, cell cycle, chemical and physical damage Examples of hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and mucosal damage
· Examples of typical clinical manifestations related to adverse and toxic effects caused by natural products
· Proallergic effects and principles of allergenic potential assessment of natural products
· Occupational toxicity related to the management of natural products
· Abuse drugs and their toxicity
Prerequisites for admission
There are no propedeutic exams. Students who attended the courses of Pharmacology are particularly welcomed.
Teaching methods
Use of slides and ppt. for conventional lessons
Teaching Resources
-Accessing to the course-related Ariel site, all the material used for lessons, including all the slides used during the course, will be available for download.
- Scientific literature provided by the teacher
- Mazzanti, Dell'Agli, Izzo. Farmacognosia e Fitoterapia: basi farmacologiche e aspetti applicativi. Piccin Editore. 2020.
- Scientific literature provided by the teacher
- Mazzanti, Dell'Agli, Izzo. Farmacognosia e Fitoterapia: basi farmacologiche e aspetti applicativi. Piccin Editore. 2020.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The grade is expressed out of thirty. The exam consists of an oral interview lasting approximately 30 minutes. The purpose of the exam is to assess the acquired knowledge and the student's ability to understand and communicate the course concepts. Additionally, independent judgment and communication skills will be evaluated. During the exam, four questions will be asked: two regarding pharmacological activities (and related concepts) and two concerning the toxicological activities of substances of natural origin. To pass the exam, it is necessary to provide thorough answers to at least tre questions.
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Piazza Stefano, Sangiovanni Enrico
Professor(s)