University of Technology Sydney

99650 Pharmacology of Chinese Herbal Medicine

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Science: Life Sciences
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 99567 Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicine

Description

The subject utilises the latest research on Chinese herbal medicines. Students are provided with up-to-date scientific knowledge of commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, including the botanical description, active constituents, pharmacological actions, therapeutic uses, adverse effects, toxicity and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulatory status (if applicable). The interactions between Chinese herbs and orthodox drugs is also discussed.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Understand scientific knowledge of Chinese herbal medicine with specific emphasis on pharmacological actions, action mechanisms and clinical applications.
2. Understand toxicological information about Chinese medicinal herbs to ensure their safe use in Australia.
3. Understand interactions between Chinese herbs and orthodox drugs, and the mechanisms involved in herb-drug interactions to ensure the safe prescription of herbs to patients using western medications.
4. Introduce special herbal preparation techniques (e.g. medicinal wine and tincture)
5. Understand scientific methodologies used evaluate the active constituents of Chinese herbs.
6. Maintain current knowledge of Chinese herbal medicine research through use of internet skills

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The objectives and assessment structure of this subject contribute to the development of the following graduate attributes:

1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application
A combination of lectures, reading, practical herbal preparation sessions and a research exercise comprise the methods of learning for the study of pharmacological actions, interactions, preparation and application of Chinese herbal medicine. Several exams are used to test this knowledge and the lab sessions provide practical experience in preparation.

2. An inquiry-orientated approach
This subject utilises review of a scientific research article to develop an appreciation for experimental design and an evidence based approach to treatment. The full array of hypothesis, methodology, interpretation and conclusion are incorporated.

3. Professional skills and their appropriate application
You will learn time management and teamwork skills through participation in an oral group presentation. In addition, the safe and appropriate prescribing of Chinese herbs is enhanced through the evidence based research obtained in the research task.

6. Communication skills
The subject addresses multimedia communication skills through the requirement of Power Point as a means of delivery in the peer presentation. The presentation is also designed to cultivate confidence in public speaking, be it with peers, supervisors or patients. Familiarisation with research terminology is also fostered.

Teaching and learning strategies

A flexible approach to teaching and learning is maintained. The teaching strategies include:

  1. Lecture: 2hs/pw x 11 weeks -. The lecture series will be subdivided into 1 week of General Principles in Pharmacology of CHM and 9 weeks of Pharmacological information of commonly used medicinal herbs. You will learn about herb-drug interactions in the last week of the semester. Lecture slides will be available on UTSOnline and you must engage with these resources prior to the class so that interaction can be emphasized during the class. Preparing in this way will enable you to discuss with your peers, ask questions about concepts you do not understand and answer questions together, about each week’s topic. These techniques will help you succeed.
  2. Tutorial/practical sessions: 2hs/pw x 11 weeks. They are designed to expand upon the concepts introduced in the lectures through additional reading, practical exercises and discussion. Ungraded quizzes will be conducted during the tutorials and immediate feedback will be given. The first one will be in week 3 and will assist in your preparation for the in class test in week 5 (assessment task 2).

    Three of these sessions take place in the laboratory. You will perform experiments on preparing medicinal wine/tincture and testing the active compounds in Da Huang.

    Some tutorials include student small group presentations. You will have the opportunity to discuss and get verbal feedback on your choice of article for the presentation (Assessment task 1) during the tutorial sessions, up to and including week 5.

Content (topics)

  • Basic concepts herbal medicine and TGA regulation
  • General Principles in Pharmacology of CHM
  • Adverse reaction and toxicity of Chinese medicinal herbs
  • Pharmacological information about commonly used herbs

1. Herbs for relieving exterior syndromes
2. Heat-Clearing Herbs
3. Herbs that resolve phlegm and stop coughing and wheezing
4. Purgative herbs
5. Digestive herbs
6. Herbs expelling Wind-dampness (antirheumatics)
7. Aromatic and damp resolving herbs
8. Herbs inducing diuresis and excreting dampness
9. Qi-regulation herbs
10. Interior-warming herbs
11. Herbs promoting blood circulation and dissolving blood stasis
12. Haemostatics
13. Tonifying herbs
14. Herbs calming the spirit
15. Herbs extinguishing liver-wind and stopping tremors
16. Astringent herbs

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Scientific Journal Research Article and presentation

Intent:

This assessment task addresses the following graduate attributes:

1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application

2. An inquiry-oriented approach

3. Professional Skills and their appropriate application

6.Communication Skills

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 5 and 6

This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s):

.0, .0, .0 and .0

Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Length:

The duration of the presentation is 15-20 min followed by a 5-10 min question time.

Criteria:

Assessment is based on the thoroughness of preparation, accuracy of information and presentation skills.

Marking criteria for the case presentation will require/include:

  • choice of an original piece of Chinese herbal scientific research work (experimental or clinical research).
  • background to the research must be covered
  • aims of the study to be clearly stated with a brief description of methods used
  • a clear interpretation of results and conclusion
  • confidence, clarity and effective use of Powerpoint for the presentation
  • facilitation of class discussion and provision of appropriate feedback to class questions
  • adherence to a time frame: kept within 15 min

Assessment task 2: In class test

Intent:

This test is a valuable way of testing whether the extent to which you have mastered skills in dealing case scenarios. This assessment task addresses the following graduate attributes:

1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application

2. An inquiry-oriented approach.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

1 and 2

This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s):

.0 and .0

Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%
Length:

TBA

Criteria:

Appropriate knowledge of theoretical and practical content covered in the subject to date

Assessment task 3: Final Examination

Intent:

This assessment task addresses the following graduate attributes:

1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application

2. An inquiry-oriented approach

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 3 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s):

.0 and .0

Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 50%
Length:

TBA

Criteria:

Appropriate knowledge of theoretical and practical content covered in the subject to date

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to attend all lectures and the practical sessions.

In order to pass this subject students must complete all assessment items and receive at least 45% of the marks available for the final examination.

Any assessment task worth 40% or more requires the student to gain at least 40% of the mark for that task. If 40% is not reached, an X grade fail may be awarded for the subject, irrespective of an overall mark greater than 50.

Required texts

X Qu (2020) Lecture Notes for Pharmacology of Chinese herbal medicine (UTS printing service).

Recommended texts

J. K. & T. Chen ed. (2003) Chinese Medical Herbology & Pharmacology. Art of Medicine Press, Inc.

References


1. Pharmacopoeia of People’s Republic of China (2015 edition) Chemical Industry Pres
2. H.P.Rang & M. M Dale ed. Pharmacology 5th Edit. Churchchill Livingstone ISBN 0443071454

Other resources

Journal articles from Medline/Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/