L1

Question 2

Explain the origin and meaning of the term “pharmacology”
and the distinction between a “drug” and a “medicine”

Answer 2

• The science of drugs including their origin, composition, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use, and toxicology
• (D)Man-made, natural or endogenous molecule which exerts a biochemical or physiological effect on the cell, tissue or organism
• Medicines are aimed at preventing, alleviating or curing a symptom, ailment or disease (i.e. beneficial effect)
  -> Medicines are carefully produced, tested, approved and regulated

Question 3

Plants as Drugs

Answer 3

Plants make many bioactive compounds
❑ Roles in defense against pests, environmental stresses, growth regulation, etc
❑ Some bioactives affect human physiology

Question 4

Outline the principles of drug nomenclature

Answer 4

1) Chemical name - structure
2) Generic name - roots & endings that provide clues to their origins, use, actions or structure
3) Brand name

Question 5

Explains the awareness of drug-like actions of
some plants in ancient human societies:

Answer 5

❑ E.g. Ancient Egypt, Greece, India, China & Persia
❑ Medieval Europe, universities & monasteries maintained botanic gardens for study of plants

Question 6

Willow Tree (Salicylates)

Answer 6

“painkillers”
Aspirin
(anti-inflammatory, antipyretic & analgesic)

Question 7

Belladonna (Atropine)
Deadly nightshade

Answer 7

Atropine
(pupil dilator, etc)
It inhibits the parasympathetic nervous system

Question 8

Sweet Wormwood

Answer 8

effective antimalarials
Artesunate
(anti-malarial drug)

Question 9

Classic drug targets

Answer 9

❑ Receptors (e.g. GPCRs, nuclear receptors)
❑ Ion channels (e.g. Ca, K, Na)
❑ Enzymes (e.g. kinases, synthases)
❑ Carrier molecules (e.g. transporters)

Question 10

Therapeutic index

Answer 10

A ratio of the blood concentration at which a drug causes death (in animal studies) or toxicity (in human studies) to the amount that causes a therapeutic effect’