University of Belize
Faculty of Nursing, Allied Health Sciences
And Social Work
Pharmacy Program
Associate Degree in Applied Science
Semester I / 2008
Course Outline
Course Title
Credit Hours
Lecturer
Class Hours
Consultation Time
Venue
Text
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Introduction to Pharmacognosy
3
Yusuf I. Abubakar B Pharm. MSc. (Pharm) R.Ph
TU 12:30- 1:45
TBA
SM D2
Pharmacognosy and Biotechnology,
Robbers, J.E Speedie M.K and Tyler
V.E.(1996)Publisher: Williams and Wilsons
Further reading:
1. Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy. 13th Edn.
2. Rainforest Remedies, 100 Healing Herbs of Belize by Rositta. A. and
Balick M. (1993)
3. Human Poisonings from Native and Cultivated Plants 2nd Ed. Hardin et
al.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
1. Drugs important in Pharmacy and medicine which are derived from
natural products. This course covers their isolation (extraction), chemical
constitution, biochemical nature, and physiological actions. The course
will also incorporate the study of herbal medicine as it is practiced in
Belize and other parts of the world.
2. The Course will attempt to compare and contrast the practice of
pharmacy and herbal medicine.
3. The course will examine the Herbal, fabricated preparations (Herbal
products) sold in Belize Pharmacies.
4. Herbal Toxicology.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the course
1. The students would be able to explain the origin of drugs from natural
sources available throughout Belize.
2. Students will able to explain the role of natural products as the source of
many drugs and pharmaceutical ingredients
3. The students will be able to identify some drugs available in the
healthcare system that are obtained or sourced from natural products.
4. The students will be able to demonstrate appreciation of practice of
herbal medicine and its contribution in the health care in Belize, Central
America and the world in general.
5. The students will be able to discuss the occurrences of side effects,
overdose and interactions with Herbal products which occur frequently
for which a patient may seek medical care
6. Students will be able to discuss the processes of standardization of
natural products following WHO and other existing guidelines
7. The students will be able to explain the role of the pharmacist in the use
of Herbal medicine and other natural products including nutrceuticals.
8. Students will able to describe and prepare a herbarium specimen
Course Outline
Topics
Section I – (4 wks)
 Introducing Pharmacognosy
 Plants as sources of drugs, nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients





Crude drug and sources of crude drugs
Various medicinal plant morphological groups
Plant collection and preservation
Extraction process of natural products and
Analytical techniques
Section II (6 wks) Natural products:
 Introduction to medicinal plant constituent groups.
discussed according to the following guidelines:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
These will be
Source (botanical & geographical)
Isolation
Biochemical nature
Physiological property and use
Toxicity
Specialties(marketed products)
CONSTITUENT GROUPS:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Carbohydrates and derivatives
Glycosides
Alkaloids
Saponins and terpenoids
Pharmaceutical and medicinal oils
Phenolic compounds (flavonoids, Tannins,)
Organic acids
Section III – (3wks) Herbal medicine
 Comparison and contrast of Orthodox medicine (in Pharmacists
perspective) and Herbal medicine as practiced today (Belize, Central
America and the rest of the world)
 Perusal of some local herbal remedies and commercial products
 Herbs/drugs/disease interactions
 The benefits of Herbal Medicine in comparison to the Hazards.
 Standardization of Herbal medicine.
Section IV (3wks)
Herbal Toxicology:
 Poisoning
 Poisonous plant (definition)
 Sources
 Treatment
 Special precautions
Field Work:
The lectures will be supplemented with some laboratory classes and field
work to assist the students in understanding the subject and for them to
appreciate the enormous potentials of Belize and Central America in
medicinal plants. Students will prepare at least one herbarium specimen
Project:
Project topics will be given to students for presentation to the class .
Student Evaluation
Test
(1)
(2)
(3)
Assignments
Project/Field work
Final Exam
10
10
10
15
15
40
100
Class participation is encouraged as this may influence student learning and
evaluation.
Students are responsible for their class notes
Note: Students will be given an advanced notice of test dates. There will be
no make-up exams, hence, please plan and organize your schedule
appropriately.
Class\Academic Policies
1. Attendance:
It is expected that all students attend classes in a timely and consistent
fashion.
2. Incomplete Grades: UCB Policy (see catalog)
Once an “I” has been granted the course requirements must be completed by
the end of the following semester.
The instructor may change the deadline but the deadline may no t be
extended beyond one calendar year from the time of registration for the
course. If course requirements are not completed the “I” will convert to an
“F”.
3. Academic Dishonesty: as per UCB Policy (see catalog)
4. Grading:
A
B+ =
C+ =
D+ =
F =
= 95-100% A- = 90-94%
85-89% B = 80-84%
75-79% C = 70-74%
65-69%
D = 60-64%
0-59%