Literature:

1. Jean Bruneton: Pharmacognosy. Lavoisier Publishing Inc., Paris, 1999, reprint 2001. ISBN: 1-898298-63-7

2. Joanne Barnes, Linda A. Anderson, J. David Philipson: Herbal Medicines. Pharmaceutical Press, London, UK 2007. ISBN 978 0 85369 623 0

Examination requirements: Written test followed by a short interview.

The test consists of two parts

a) multiple choice test

b) answer to a specific question

Syllabus: Bioactive Compounds

1. History of the subject, Basic terms. Pharmacognosy and chemosystematics.

2. Cellular and molecular targets of biological activity.

3. Polysacharides: Fibers, gums, mucillages and pectins

• plants: Acacia sp., Astragallus gummifer, Ceratonia siliqua, Psilium sp., Agar agar

4. Specifically active proteins: Enzymes, lectins, protein sweeteners

• plants: Carica papaya., Canavalia ensiformis, Ricinus communis, Abrus precatorius, Thaumatoccoccus sp.

5. Alkaloids I: Generalities, taxonomical occurance, protoalkaloids.

6. Alkaloids II. Selected types of alkaloids and their biological activities

• plants: Atropa belladona, Erythroxylon cocca, Nicotiana sp., Areca catechu, Conium maculatum,Papaver somniferum, Cataranthus roseus,

Strychnos nux-vomica, Physostigma venenosum

7. Alkaloids III. Ergot alkaloids, pseudoalkaloids, purine alkaloids.

• plants: Claviceps purpurea, Aconitum sp. Veratrum sp., Coffea arabice, Camelia sinensis, Theobroma cacao, Ilex paraguayensis

8. Glycosylation, Specific examples of bioactive glycosides: Cardiac glycosides, saponins, glucosinolates, cyanogenic glycosides.

• plants: Digitalis sp, Drimia maritima, Glycirrhiza glabra, Aesculus hippocastanum, Hedera helix, Brassica sp., Manihot esculenta.

9. Phenolics I: Generalities. Phenolic acids and their esters, coumarins.

• plants: Myroxylon balsamum, Rosmarinus officinalis, salix sp., Meliotus officinalis, Heracleum sp.

10. Phenolics II: Flavonoids and lignans. Phytoestrogens.

• plants: -Silybum marianum, Fagopyrum esculentum, Glycine max., Trifolium sp, Linum usitatisimum

11. Phenolics III. Tannins. Quinones and floroglucinols.

• plants: -Quercus sp., Juglans regia, Lawsonia inermis, Cassia sp., Rhamnus frangula, Humulus lupulus, Canabis sp.

12. Terpenoids I: Monoterpenes and essential oils. Toxic diterpenes.

• plants: -Lavandula sp., Mentha sp., Thymus sp, Carum carvi, Citrus aurantium, Taxus sp., Croton sp., Daphne mezerum

13. Terpenoids II: Triterpenoids, steroids and carotenoids. Vitamin A and retinoids.

• plants: -Betula sp., Cucurbita sp., Capsicum annuum, Crocus sp.,

14. Excursion (Botany Garden).

Course requirements: Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of organic chemistry. Chemical structures will be explained on selected examples of individual types of bioactive natural compouds. All medicinal and botanical terms will be explained. Botanical names will be given in both, Latin and English languagues.