Plants synthesise a variety of secondary metabolites, many designed to protect them from various forms of attack from a variety of sources. Man has subsequently discovered that a number of these compounds are also effective at impacting mammalian systems often with medicinal outcomes. This module will investigate these medicinal plants from a scientific, cultural and medical perspective and thus provide an insight into the traditional discipline of pharmacognosy.

You will obtain an understanding of the origin of the active components, their mode of action and uses in phytotherapy. Additionally, you will gain an appreciation of the historical context of medicinal plants, ethnobotanical perspectives of the area and current ethnopharmacy and drug discovery research.

Within the laboratory component of the module you will gain hands on experience of the characterisation and quantification of potentially active substances using current analytical equipment such as GC-MS, HPLC and FTIR. In additional some introductory efficacy testing will be explored in simple invertebrate systems.

There are Two aspects of assessment

1. 40% Laboratory report (1000 words) (Learning outcome 2)

2. 60%, an article (750 words) suitable for publication in a science magazine such as New Scientist incorporating appropriate infographics. It will require the student to focus on accurate information in both written and visual forms but avoid scientific language and jargon. (Learning outcomes 1 & 3) [FINAL]

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment):
Formative discussion on the reporting of laboratory data and on infographic production.

Lectures 10 hours
Laboratory work 20 hours
Workshops 10 hours

Independent Study Hours
20 hours preparation to support the material in the workshop settings.
90 hours reading, Blackboard activity and preparation/execution of the summative assessment.

Support includes classroom activities, Blackboard activity and preparation/ execution of the summative assessment.

Plant-derived Natural Products: Synthesis, Function, and Application. (2009) Eds edited by Anne E. Osbourn, Virginia Lanzotti. Springer

The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine (2015) Joseph E. Pizzorno and Michael T. Murray. Elsevier Health Sciences
Medicinal Plants: Biodiversity and Drugs (2012) M. K. Rai, Geoffrey A. Cordell, Jose L. Martinez, Mariela Marinoff, Luca Rastrelli. CRC Press

Chemical Analysis: Modern Instrumentation Methods and Techniques (2007) Francis Rouessac and Anne Rouessac. Wileyy (2000) -core text provided.

A range of primary literature on current plant materials and their extraction are suitable and will be cited as and when required to support a learning activity

Equipped lecture room and equipped laboratory (access to interactive technology in all teaching rooms)
Internet access
Blackboard VLE
Library – e journals

1. Communicate, showing an in-depth knowledge of medicinal plants and their place in science, society and medicine.
Knowledge and Understanding
Communication

2. Demonstrate the ability to generate and analyse data then evaluate and link that data to scientific perspectives and applications.
Analysis
Enquiry
Problem Solving
Reflection

3. Display an understanding of the integrated nature of evidence-based science and application in healthcare and medicine.
Reflection
Application
Learning