PLSCI 3100

Medicinal Botany and Drug Discovery

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

Plants have been a source of medicinal agents for thousands of years and a remarkable number of modern drugs have been isolated or derived from plants. In this course, we will explore the mechanisms of action and effects of injurious plants (e.g., poisons, causing allergic reactions), of medicinal plants found to have remedial properties, and discuss which body system(s) they affect (e.g., digestive, urinary), and psychoactive plants affecting the central nervous system (e.g., hallucinogens, stimulants). We will get familiar with the chemistry, pharmacology and efficacy demonstrated in clinical trials of the most used plant-derived drugs, and the mechanisms of the diseases targeted with these treatments. Furthermore, we will discuss the biosynthesis and distribution of plant secondary metabolites, the use of techniques in the isolation and structure elucidation of natural products, and of biological assays used in the discovery of chemicals with pharmacological activity, and the steps involved in drug production and approval.

Prerequisites BIOG 1140 or BIOG 1440 or BIOMG 1350 or PLSCI 1415 or CHEM 1570 or CHEM 3530 or CHEM 3570 or permission of instructor.

Last 4 Terms Offered 2025FA, 2024FA, 2023FA, 2022FA

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the biosynthesis and distribution of plant secondary metabolites, the use of techniques in isolation and structure elucidation of natural products, and biological assays in the discovery of chemicals with pharmacological activity.
• Explain the chemistry, pharmacology, mode of action and efficacy demonstrated in clinical trials of the most used plant-derived drugs in the North American market, which organ(s) they affect in the human body, and the mechanisms of the diseases targeted with these treatments.
• Compare selected medicinal plants, their historical value, how their active components are extracted or/and manipulated to give specific drugs and the process involved in drug production and approval.
• Critically evaluate and present information from peer-reviewed scientific articles.

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