Study-unit NATURAL PRODUCTS CHEMISTRY
| Course name | Pharmacy |
|---|---|
| Study-unit Code | 55081506 |
| Curriculum | Comune a tutti i curricula |
| Lecturer | Luca Sancineto |
| Lecturers |
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| Hours |
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| CFU | 4 |
| Course Regulation | Coorte 2020 |
| Supplied | 2023/24 |
| Supplied other course regulation | |
| Learning activities | Affine/integrativa |
| Area | Attività formative affini o integrative |
| Sector | CHIM/06 |
| Type of study-unit | Opzionale (Optional) |
| Type of learning activities | Attività formativa monodisciplinare |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | Secondary metabolites. definition of drug and active ingredient. Methods of extraction of the active ingredients. Essential oils: constitution, preparation, analysis. Biosynthetic scheme of secondary metabolites. Structure, nomenclature, biosynthesis of some secondary metabolites: Monoterpenes, Sesquiterpenes, Diterpenes, Triterpenes, Alkaloids, Phenolic compounds, Cannabinoids, Flavonoids, Isoflavonoids and Coumarins with particular interest to those of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic interest. |
| Reference texts | Slides and material provided by the professor. |
| Educational objectives | Equip the students with knowledge of the main classes of plant metabolites, their chemical structure, some biosynthetic reactions that determine their formation with particular attention to reaction mechanisms and stereochemistry. General knowledge will also be provided on the concept of drug and active principle and on the most common techniques for the extraction of bioactive components |
| Prerequisites | In order to understand and be able to apply the contents of the course it is necessary to have basic knowledge of organic chemistry (functional groups, main reaction mechanisms) as well as notions on the main classes of organic compounds of biological relevance (amino acids, sugars, fatty acids). |
| Teaching methods | Frontal lessons with the aid of slides on all topics. |
| Learning verification modality | Oral exam to verify the knowledge. In particular on secondary metabolites. Definition of drug and active ingredient. Methods of extraction of the active principles. Essential oils: constitution, preparation and analysis. The oral test will also allow to evaluate the student's communication skills and the ability to prepare a presentation. |
| Extended program | (General Part) Secondary metabolites: definition and importance for plants and humans. Definition of drug and active ingredient. Factors influencing the content of active ingredients in plants. Conventional (maceration, digestion, infusion, solvent extraction, Soxhlet) and innovative (SFE, US, MW) extraction methods. Essential oils: constitution, extraction and analysis. Biosynthetic scheme of secondary metabolites. (specific part) Secondary metabolites: Terpenes: definition. Biosynthesis of the isoprene unit via mevalonic acid. Formation mechanism of precursor polyenes. Processes of initiation, propagation and termination. Monoterpenes (C10): definition. Biosynthesis of geranyl pyrophosphate, linalyl pyrophosphate and neryl pyrophosphate. Formation of the menthane skeleton and correlation between the different monoterpene skeletons. Importance of stereochemistry. The biologically important monoterpenes. Thujone. Iridoids. Sesquiterpenes: biosynthesis of T,T-farnesyl-pyrophosphate and T,C-farnesyl-pyrophosphate. Germacranial, eudesmanian and guaianic skeleton. Cadinanic skeleton. Artemisinin: structure, biological importance, biosynthesis, possible approaches in production. Biogenesis of the alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone ring and its biological importance. Diterpenes: biosynthesis of the labdanic intermediate. Formation of the pimaran skeleton. Forms Ent. Taxolo biological importance and biosynthesis. Triterpenes (C30), sterols and steroids: biosynthesis of squalene. Biosynthesis of lanosterol. Transformation of lanosterol into cholesterol. Skeletal nomenclature of cyclopentane perhydrophenanthrene. Biosynthesis of phytosterols. Cardiotonic glycosides and saponins. Tetraterpenes (C40) definition. Alkaloids: Definition and classification. Biosynthesis of pyrrolideines and piperideines. Biosynthesis of nicotine and the tropane nucleus. Piperine and coniine. Biosynthesis of Papaverine and the morphine nucleus. Quinoline alkaloids: biosynthesis of quinine and its nomenclature. Indole alkaloids: biosynthesis of strictosidine and lysergic acid. Phenolic compounds: polyketide pathway and shikimic acid pathway. Biosynthesis of polyketides and differences with the biosynthesis of fatty acids. Biosynthesis of anthrones, anthraquinones and diantrones. Cannabinoids. Cinnamic acid biosynthesis. Biosynthesis of flavonoids, isoflavonoids and coumarins. Flavonoids as antioxidants. Pharmacological importance. Isoflavones: biological activity. |
| Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile | 3, 4 |