Class Mechanisms of bioactivity

It is intended that students understand how natural products can interfere with physiological functions, leading to possible therapeutic and/or toxic effects, and thus may be of interest to develop new drugs, food supplements or health products.

Not applicable

Applications of bioactive natural products in medicines, health products and food supplements: concepts and requirements. Efficacy and safety assessment: in silico, in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials. Pharmacokinetic principles. General mechanisms of pharmacological and toxicological action. Natural bioactives with antioxidant action: concepts of redox biology, mechanisms of antioxidant action, examples, evaluation methodologies. Natural bioactives with anti-inflammatory action: mechanisms involved, examples, evaluation methodologies. Natural bioactives with antitumor action: mechanisms of action, examples, evaluation methodologies. Natural bioactives with anti-infectious action: mechanisms and spectrum of action, examples, evaluation methodologies. “Omics” techniques in the discovery of bioactivity mechanisms of natural products. Toxicity of natural bioactives: main risks and safety assessment methodologies. Drug-natural product interactions.

- Using the Moodle platform, we will make tools for distance learning (videos, didactic games) available to students, to enrich the classroom teaching of the CU. - Gamification strategies will be used in classes, through the Kahoot and Wordwall programs.

Guimarães, S., Moura, D., Soares da Silva, P. (2014). Terapêutica Medicamentosa e suas bases Farmacológicas. Porto: Porto Editora.  Prontuário Terapêutico. Infarmed. (online) Klaassen. C.D. (2013) Casarett & Doull's Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons (8th edition). McGraw-Hill Education Oliveira, R.D., Carvalho, F.D., Bastos, M.L. (2018). Toxicologia Fundamental, Lidel.