Learning objectives

The course will focus on the properties of substances to exert biological responses capable of inducing a therapeutic effect and/or maintaining the state of health. Based on this definition, in addition to the traditional concept of drug and pharmacological effect, the course will also refer to those substances contained in foods that can exert healing and/or health maintenance effects directly or by virtue of a co-adjuvant association with the pharmacological treatment.
The teaching objective is that student acquires, through analysis of mechanisms of action of those substances with therapeutic or adjuvant actions, the aptitude to consider such substances as a tool capable of modulating specific molecular and cellular functions. These actions, directly or indirectly through the activation of compensatory responses, could in fact exert therapeutic effects and/or change patient's state of health.
The student will therefore be encouraged to make use of his knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, and pathology in order to understand how molecular and cellular mechanism of action of nutritional substances determines both desired effects and potential adverse and toxic effects.
The student will also be led to understand how the extent and quality of these effects, both desired and unwanted, are a function of the pharmacokinetic profile, and how dosage regimen must be adjusted based on the characteristics and functionality of the substance, organ conditions, concomitant drugs and nutrients, environmental and extrinsic factors that coul affect the final effect and the benefit/risk balance.
The educational objectives of the course therefore aim to make the student to acquire, in an integrated vision, the knowledge relating to the characteristics (mechanisms of action, kinetics, adverse reactions, therapeutic applications) of the different pharmacological actions of drugs, supplements, and nutraceutical substances. synthetic and natural.

Examination methods

The oral examination will consist of a series of questions regarding the main parts of the program. Some clinical cases will be briefly discussed to ascertain student's reasoning abilities.
The student must demonstrate learning of the topics covered in class, and the ability to discuss them in a formal manner. The oral exam lasts about 30 minutes.