Knowledge of fundamental biogenetic pathways of secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical and drug-technological interest. Knowledge of the main plant material by extraction techniques. Knowledge of the main analytical techniques for the quantitative determination of secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical interest
Course Prerequisites
The course will be aimed at the following Pharmacy students who have passed the exam in Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry, especially with regard to the knowledge of chemical structures, reactivity of functional groups and chemical reactions, as well as knowledge of the main analysis techniques instrumental typical of analytical chemistry and related procedures
Teaching Methods
Lectures, laboratory exercises (subject to verification of the availability of laboratory facilities)
Assessment Methods
Written exam: the exam lasts 30 minutes. and consists of the administration of 15 multiple choice questions with attribution of 2 points for each correct answer. The exam is passed with a minimum grade of 18/30.
Texts
Notes of lectures • Dewick - Chimica, Biosintesi e Bioattività delle Sostanze Naturali – Ed. Piccin
Contents
Secondary metabolism • TERPENES: classification and biogenetic origin. Monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, steroids • ALKALOIDS: classification and biosynthesis. Main skeletons: alkaloids derived from lysine and ornithine, pyrrolidine and pyrrolizidine alkaloids, tropane alkaloids, quinoline and isoquinoline, alcaloidi morfinanici, indole alkaloids • GLYCOSIDES: classification. Triterpene and steroid saponins • AROMATIC COMPOUNDS: flavonoids, anthraquinones, coumarins, cinnamic acids Active principles and vegetable drugs • Factors influencing the content of active principles in vegetable drugs • Conservation of vegetable drugs • Extraction techniques • Screening methodologies of active principles in vegetable drugs (alkaloids, saponins, cardiotonic glycosides, flavonoids, coumarins, anthraquinones) • Isolation of active principles from vegetable drugs • Main analytic techniques for the determination of active principles in vegetable drugs
