Overview
The department of natural products is involved in education, research and community services related to natural materials obtained from plants, animals and microorganisms. The department is responsible for planning, developing and delivering courses related to the chemical and biological properties of natural products and their extraction, isolation and detection methods, in addition to their role in pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical products. The department also teaches courses related to complementary and integrative medicine, clinical nutrition, dietary supplements and pharmaceutical biotechnology.
The research activities of the department include the extraction, isolation and analysis of natural products and the evaluation of their biological effects. The department also conducts research on the quality control and standardization methods of herbal products and dietary supplements, in addition to their uses and applications in complementary and integrative medicine. The department exploits biotechnology tools to obtain new products that benefit individuals and society. The department collaborates with other departments such as Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice on various research projects, including the development of herbal nano-formulations and evaluation of their effect in in-vitro and in-vivo models before human clinical trials.
The department actively participates in community services and awareness campaigns on the optimal use of herbal products, dietary supplements and complementary medicine to minimize the risk of incorrect use, in addition to awareness campaigns on poisonous natural products.
