Pharmacognostic Research Research Articles

Pharmacognostic research of promising herb raw materials Pulmonariae herba and Pulmonariae folia

Introduction. Generative shoots and rosette leaves of genus Pulmonaria plants are used for making phytoremedies with various pharmacological activity. Objective: The aim was pharmacognostic research of herb raw material from two producing plants – P. mollis and P. obscura. Material and methods. The studying objects were generative shoots and rosette leaves collected during the growing season. The trace elements amount (Mg, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se) was determined by mass spectroscopy and phenolic constituents – high-performance liquid chromatograph methods. Results. Analysis of built hierarchical tree revealed that the rosette leaves of both sourges form a cluster that differs from cluster formed by generative shoots. The phenol complexrosette leaves revealed is characterized by flavones. The polysaccharides content is important because they form expectorant action of medicines made from Pulmonariae folia. On other side they are serving as a matrix for ferro-ions, which are necessary for forming antianemic effect of remedies made from Pulmonariae herba. Conclusion. It was established, trace element status and composition of biologically active compounds of lungwort generative shoots and rosette leaves are different. Rosette leaves collected after fruiting phase– (Pumonariae folia) and generative shoots collected in flowering phase (Pulmonariae herba) should be considered as two different kinds of herb raw material. Both of lungwort species are acceptable sources of appropriating both of herb raw material. The polysaccharides content is offered as an indicator determing the quality of raw materials. In addition, the content of hematopoietic complex microelements should use as the quality indicators.

Prospects for the creation of new phytochemical medicinal products based on Myrtus communis L. (a review)

The number of medicinal products based on biologically active substances (BAS) of plant origin is increasing every year. Scientists are exploring non-official plant raw materials used in non-traditional medicine to expand the raw material base for creating new phytopreparations. Among numerous plants, common myrtle (Myrtus communis L.), which is a fairly common indoor plant, is recognized as a valuable source of BAS. The aim of the work is to analyze and summarize new literature data on the botanical characteristics, chemical composition, pharmacological and toxicological properties of Myrtus communis L. Materials and methods. Data were collected from several legitimate databases and services such as PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, ResearchGate using the key terms “Myrtus communis L.”, “botanical characteristics”, “pharmacological studies”, “phytochemical studies” in each database data Relevant and related data were filtered as appropriate if deemed relevant to the topic of interest. Time frames have also been adjusted to provide up-to-date information. Results. Myrtus communis L., commonly known as common myrtle, is a widely recognized medicinal plant in the Mediterranean region. Various parts of this plant, including the leaves, fruits, and flowers, have been used in traditional medicine for treating a wide range of ailments. The pharmacological properties of common myrtle are attributed to the presence of essential oils and phenolic compounds, and these properties include antimicrobial, antiviral, antidiabetic, antispasmodic, vasodilator, antiulcer, antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory effects. This article offers an overview of the botanical characteristics and chemical composition of different parts of common myrtle, and it presents a literature review of pharmacological studies that provide evidence for the plant’s medicinal properties. Conclusions. Common myrtle is a promising plant for further pharmacognostic research with the aim of expanding the raw material base, using the method of clonal micropropagation and creating new phytopreparations based on it.

Evaluation of Composition and Antioxidant Potential of Cordia macleodii

Cordia macleodii is one of the widely used traditional medicinal herbs. The current work was undertaken to systematically extract bioactive components from the fresh plant parts and evaluate their antioxidant potential. Using ethanol as the solvent, volatile chemical components were extracted from the plant material by Soxhlet extraction. Subsequently, GC-HR-MS and FTIR analysis were used to further evaluate the extract. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and 2,2'- Azinobis [3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS)] were used to evaluate the antioxidant potentialof the extract in vitro. Quantification of total flavonoid content (TFC) and total phenolic content (TPC) was done against standard solutions of quercetin and gallic acid, which were used in the study as positive controls. The GC-HR-MS analysis reveals two bioactive compounds [(1H)- pyrrol-3-propanoic acid,2 ethoxy carbonyl-4-ethoxy carbonyl methyl]-5,5’-methylene, bis-diethyl ester and Spino [9,9’] difluorene,2,2’-[2,5,8,11-tetraoxado decane-1,12-diye). The FTIR spectrum showed that there were several different functional groups present. Findings of in vitroantioxidant tests revealed that the leaves had the highest total phenolic content (402.19 ± 0.025 mg GAE/g), the highest total phenolic content (93.59 ± 0.01), and the highest ABTS (102.59 ± 0.001) of any plant. To fully evaluate this plant's therapeutic potential, more pharmacognostic research is required.
 Keywords: GC-HR-MS, FTIR, TPC, TFC, Antioxidant

Pharmacognostic research of the over-ground parts of Angelica adjarica

Pharmacognostic research of the over-ground parts of Angelica adjarica

ФАРМАКОГНОСТИЧЕСКОЕ ИЗУЧЕНИЕ ПЛОДОВ ZIZIPHUS JUJUBA MILL

One of the priority tasks of Russian healthcare is the expansion of the range of medicinal products, including the integration of new plant-based preparations. To achieve this objective, intensive research is being conducted on the phytochemical analysis of new types of plant-based materials growing in the territory of the Russian Federation. Studies on representatives of the Ziziphus genus (Ziziphus Mill.) are being carried out both in our country and around the world, as there is significant interest in their potential use for the creation of new plant-based preparations. In our country, the most well-known medicinal plant of the genus Ziziphus is Ziziphus Jujuba Mill., the fruits of which contain a complex of biologically active substances with pronounced immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ulcer activities. Until now, the species of the Ziziphus Mill. genus had not been widely used in scientific medicine in the Russian Federation. In this study, the fruits of Ziziphus Jujuba Mill. cultivated in the Krasnodar region of the Russian Federation were examined. In order to ensure the high quality of raw materials for the production of medicinal preparations, it was necessary to conduct pharmacognostic research on Ziziphus Jujuba Mill. fruits to determine the diagnostic characteristics and quality indicators of the materials. Microscopic methods, HPTLC, and UV spectrophotometry were used in the experimental research. The morphological and anatomical study of the fruits made it possible to establish distinctive diagnostic signs, which can be used to conduct reliable identification of Ziziphus Jujuba Mill. fruits for the purposes of using this type of raw materials for the preparation of plant-based medicinal products. The work was carried out in accordance with the topic of the research project FGUU-2022-0011 of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants".

Traditional uses of ethno-medicinal plants for the treatment of skin ailments in district Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India

This study was conducted among the local people of Pithoragarh district (Uttarakhand) to document the ethnomedicinal plants used as remedies for various skin diseases. A total of 52 plant species from 36 families were listed for curing skin ailments such as allergies, infections, pigmentation, acne, pimples, burns, wounds, etc. It is noted that most of the plant formulations were applied externally in the form of paste. However, phytochemical analysis and pharmacognostic research on these recorded plants should be conducted to determine their therapeutic potential as a first step toward the development of effective drugs. This valuable knowledge about indigenous uses of the reported plant species must be conserved for sustainable use and future generations.

Фармакогностическое исследование сырья Tripleurospermum inodorum (L.) Sch. Bip.

Введение новых видов растений в медицинскую практику требует проведения фармакогностического исследования, в том числе определение макро- и микроскопических показателей растительного сырья.В статье изложены результаты анатомо-морфологического исследования надземных органов трехре-берника непахучего (Tripleurospermum inodorum (L.) Sch. Bip.), собранного в природных условиях в фазе цветения. Растение проявляет антикоагулянтные свойства, обладает мягчительными, спазмоли-тическими и анальгезирующими свойствами, а также проявляет антибактериальную активность. По итогам анализа морфологических и анатомических показателей трехреберника непахучего определе-ны диагностические признаки сырья на макро- и микроскопическом уровнях. Так, на макроскопиче-ском уровне определены следующие признаки: форма, цвет стебля с поверхности и цвет на изломе;форма и степень рассечения листовой пластины, форма конечных долек листочков; форма цветочной корзинки, особенности строения листочков обвертки, цветоложа; строение и форма трубчатых и колокольчатых цветков. На микроскопическом уровне признаки сырья Tripleurospermum inodorum следующие: форма и структура стебля, размещение основных тканей; форма и строение клеток эпидермиса венчика цветка и листочков обвертки, расположение вместилищ и эфирно-масличных железок. Полученные результаты могут войти в проект нормативных документов на растительное сырье данного вида.

Traditional knowledge, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of the African genus Scadoxus (Amaryllidaceae)

The genus Scadoxus (family: Amaryllidaceae) is native to Africa and it comprises a great variety of ornamental, medicinal, and poisonous plant species. In India, it is represented by only a single species, Scadoxus multiflorus . The genus has a wide range of traditional uses. However, scientific validation of the traditional uses requires extensive pharmacognostic research along with toxicity and safety evaluation. Various scientific databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were utilized to search the research articles for this review. This review work is a comprehensive study of the genus Scadoxus about its taxonomy, geographical distribution, traditional uses, phytochemistry, toxicity, and pharmacological activities for the first time. • This review followed the articles during the period of 1958 – 2022 (64 years) and aims to give a piece of comprehensive knowledge about the genus Scadoxus for the first time. • The African genus, Scadoxus , is rich in various bioactive compounds but its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities are still now underrated. • Most of the species are concentrated in various regions of Africa, especially in South Africa. A single member has worldwide distribution and is also found in India. • Pharmacological activities like antimicrobial, cholinesterase inhibitory, cytotoxic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, immunostimulatory, and analgesic activities are reported here. • A special concern is needed to conserve the single representative, Scadoxus multiflorus , of this genus in India.

Pharmacognostic Studies and Skin Irritation Potential of an Ethnobotanically important Condiment Kasuri methi (Trigonella foenum-graceum L.)

To ensure plant identification, set parameters of standardization that support and prevent adulteration and admixture, and to find out any possible skin irritation effect of crude extracts of plant parts of very commonly used condiment Kasuri methi, (Trigonella foenum-graecum) in Pakistan. For pharmacognostic research, various evaluations were done focusing on macroscopic and microscopic studies of the transversely cut section, peeled off the epidermis, and powdered stuff of different plant parts to observe the anatomical features of different types of cells, trichomes, stomata types, and vascular tissues. In dermatological studies, phytochemical analysis was carried out to find different constituents and properties of this plant. Simple, uniseriate, non-glandular trichomes, anisocytic or anomocytic stomata, tracheids with spiral to scalariform secondary’s wall thickening pattern, pitted vessels in stem and roots were commonly found both in sections and in powdered stuff. The phytochemical study showed the presence of saponins, terpenoids, steroids, phenols, and tannins. The skin irritation effect of crude extracts of leaves in n-Hexane and ethanol in roots were found both in causing skin irritation but slightly reddening the vessel. The skin irritant effect persists for 4 to 5 hours due to these crude extracts. The least skin irritation effect was exhibited by the crude extracts of roots in distilled water, thus resulting in the doubtful reaction of rabbit’s ear, these reactions could be due to the phytochemical found in the extracts. This research offers the scientific findings for the appropriate identification and establishment of standards for the use of Kasuri methi, (Trigonella foenum-graecum).

Pharmacognostic study of cetraria islandica (L.) Ach. thalli made in Ukraine

The aim was to conduct a pharmacognostic study of C. islandica thalli harvested in Ukraine.
 Material and methods. The study included seven series of C. islandica thalli harvested in Ukraine. Pharmacognostic research was conducted by using generally accepted methods. Quantitative determination of total polyphenols was performed by a spectrophotometric method in terms of pyrogallol and dry raw materials following the requirements of the SPhU 2.0 monograph. The component composition of flavonoid compounds and carboxylic acids was performed by HPLC.
 Results. The pharmacognostic study of 7 series of the C. islandica raw materials was performed. Morphometric parameters were determined, including the fractional composition according to the size of thalli in each series. For the first time, fractions of the mineral and foreign organic matter were separated. The content of mineral foreign matter ranged from 0.22 ± 0.01 % to 2.80 ± 0.12 %; the content of organic foreign matter ranged from 0.15 ± 0.01 % to 2.14 ± 0.11 %. Due to the total foreign matter content, 6 series of the raw materials fulfilled the requirements of the SPhU 2.0 monograph. The accordance of morphological and anatomical description of the series to the requirements of the SPhU 2.0 monograph is shown. New distinctive diagnostic features of the morphological structure were found, namely: coalescence of blades with forming a membrane and branching of cilia along the edge of blades. For the first time for the series of raw materials harvested in Ukraine, the quantitative content of the sum of polyphenols in terms of pyrogallol and dry raw materials was determined, which ranged from 1.21 ± 0.05 % to 1.73 ± 0.04 %. For the first time for C. islandica thalli, the presence of flavonoid compounds: quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol and rutin, and carboxylic acids: sinapic, trans-cinnamic and quinic acids was determined.
 Conclusions. The obtained results can be used as a basis for the relevant sections of the national part of the monograph "Cetraria Iceland" in SPhU 2.0

PHARMACOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND MEDICAL USE OF PLANTS OF THE GENUS DAUCUS (Review)

It is known that modern possibilities of pharmacotherapy of various diseases have significantly increased. The search for and creation of effective and safe drugs with a wide range of pharmacological activity remains relevant. Plants of the genus Daucus are a promising plant for a detailed pharmacognostic research. Representatives of the genus have been used for centuries in folk medicine of different countries and exhibit a wide range of medicinal properties. Carrot plants have not been sufficiently studied in phytochemistry and pharmacology. The aim of the study was to analyze the scientific literature and databases of PubMed, Google Scholar on the botanical characteristics, phytochemical composition and medicinal uses of plants of the genus Daucus. The presence of coumarins, phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, essential oils, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, tocopherol and lutein has been proven in extracts from plant raw materials of different varieties of carrots. The content of biologically active substances can be determined by such factors as variety, temperature, air quality and carbon dioxide content in it, processing and storage. Plants of the genus Carrot (Daucus) are rich in biologically active substances, are actively used in both folk and official medicine, exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, cytotoxic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antifungal, antibacterial, antiphteric, hepatoprotective, antihypertensive, carminative, diuretic, antispasmodic, wound-healing and immunostimulatory effects. Analysis of the world experience in the use of plants of the genus Daucus in folk medicine, experimental research on the phytochemical composition of plants of the said genus and a wide range of their pharmacological activity showed that aboveground and underground organs of different species of plants of the genus Daucus can be considered promising raw materials for further research on their basis of new phytopreparations of a wide range of action.

A FEW REPRESENTATIVES OF ASTEROIDAE (ASTERACEAE) SUBFAMILY AND GERANIUM (GERANIACEAE) GENUS IN THE BAIKAL REGION (REVIEW

The aim of the article was to analyze the state of knowledge of the following plants: Heteropappus altaicus (Willd.) Novopokr., Solidago dahurica L., Leucanthemum vulgare Lam., Tripleurospermum inodorum (L.), Antennaria dioica (L.) Gaertn., Leontopodium conglobatum (Turcz.) Hand.-Mazz. and Geranium eriostemon Fischer., G. pratense L., G. wlassowianum Fisch. ex Link. (Geraniaceae).Materials and methods. To compile the review, the information from the following scientific open and available literature sources placed in scientific libraries of institutions, in electronic databases and search systems, was used: floristic summaries “Flora of Siberia”; “Flora of Central Siberia”; Electronic library of the Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Elibrary; PubMed; Scopus; CyberLeninka, Google Academy; The Plant List, Global Compositae Checklist. The search carried out, was based on the publications for the period of 2009-2020, on the information requests for names of families and subfamilies, names of plant species, biologically active compounds in English, Latin and Russian.Results. A comparative analysis of morphological characters, common species names and the synonyms for the listed species, has been carried out. The studied objects are characterized by the presence of polyphenolic compounds and substances of a triterpene structure, in particular, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, tannides. In addition, the representatives of the Asteroideae subfamily (Asteraceae) show the accumulation of essential oils, and the representatives of the Geranium genus (geranium) show the accumulation of anthocyanins. The spectrum of the pharmacological activity includes anti-inflammatory, choleretic, antimicrobial, antispasmodic and other types of effects.Conclusion. The presented review makes it possible to arrive at the conclusion about a certain knowledge level of the regional representatives of the Asteroideae subfamily and the Geranium genus. This determines the prospects of these plant objects for further pharmacognostic and pharmacological research and the creation of drugs on their basis – the sources of polyphenolic compounds.

Component composition of essential oil shoots and leaves of Laurus nobilis L. Ukrainian origian

The aim of our work was to carry out a comparative analysis of the essential oils of shoots and leaves of Laurus nobilis L. Ukrainian flora and to determine the prospects for their use in pharmacy.
 Materials and methods. Raw materials for obtaining essential oil (shoots and leaves) of Laurus nobilis L. were harvested in November 2017 in the southern regions of Ukraine.
 By the method of chromatography-mass spectrometry using an Agilent Technology 6890N chromatograph, the component composition of 4 samples of essential oil of Laurus nobilis L. raw material was investigated and identified.
 The composition of the essential oil was identified by comparing the results with the data from the NIsT 02 mass spectra library (more than 174,000 substances).
 Results. Thus, in the studied series of the essential oil of the shoots, a similarity was observed both in the set of components and in the relative content of a number of individual compounds and compounds of structurally related groups. The content in these samples was dominated by 1,8-cineole (19.63 % of the amount and 12.93 % of the amount, respectively), α-terpinyl acetate (16.22 % of the amount and 16.03 % of the amount, respectively).
 In contrast to the series of the essential oil of the shoots, the component composition of the essential oil of the leaves of the two series was significantly different. In both studied series, only 3 compounds were identified that are common - these are aromatic compounds methyleugenol, trans-methylisoevgenol, and the sequiterpenoid caryophyllene oxide.
 Conclusions. Thus, a comparative analysis of the component composition of biologically active substances in the essential oils of shoots and leaves of the Laurus nobilis L. Ukrainian harvest showed the prospects for further pharmacognostic research of this plant as a source of medicinal raw materials

Reproducibility challenges in the search for antibacterial compounds from nature.

BackgroundReproducibility of reported antibacterial activities of plant extracts has long remained questionable. Although plant-related factors should be well considered in serious pharmacognostic research, they are often not addressed in many research papers. Here we highlight the challenges in reproducing antibacterial activities of plant extracts.MethodsPlants with reported antibacterial activities of interest were obtained from a literature review. Antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were tested using extracts’ solutions in 10% DMSO and acetone. Compositions of working solutions from both solvents were established using LC-MS analysis. Moreover, the availability of details likely to affect reproducibility was evaluated in articles which reported antibacterial activities of studied plants.ResultsInhibition of bacterial growth at MIC of 256–1024 μg/mL was observed in only 15.4% of identical plant species. These values were 4–16-fold higher than those reported earlier. Further, 18.2% of related plant species had MICs of 128–256 μg/mL. Besides, 29.2% and 95.8% of the extracts were soluble to sparingly soluble in 10% DMSO and acetone, respectively. Extracts’ solutions in both solvents showed similar qualitative compositions, with differing quantities of corresponding phytochemicals. Details regarding seasons and growth state at collection were missing in 65% and 95% of evaluated articles, respectively. Likewise, solvents used to dissolve the extracts were lacking in 30% of the articles, whereas 40% of them used unidentified bacterial isolates.ConclusionReproducibility of previously reported activities from plants’ extracts is a multi-factorial aspect. Thus, collective approaches are necessary in addressing the highlighted challenges.

A Bibliographic Assessment Using the Degrees of Publication Method: Medicinal Plants from the Rural Greater Mpigi Region (Uganda).

In ethnopharmacological research, many field assessment tools exist. Yet, these miss that critical point of how to really determine which species merit the costly lab studies, e.g., evaluation of traditional use via pharmacological assays and isolation of bioactive secondary metabolites. This gap can be filled with the introduction of a new tool for literature assessment: the Degrees of Publication (DoPs). In this study, its application is illustrated through an extensive bibliographic assessment of 16 medicinal plant species that were recently identified in the Greater Mpigi region of Uganda as being frequently used by local traditional healers in the treatment of medical disorders (namely, Albizia coriaria, Cassine buchananii, Combretum molle, Erythrina abyssinica, Ficus saussureana, Harungana madagascariensis, Leucas calostachys, Microgramma lycopodioides, Morella kandtiana, Plectranthus hadiensis, Securidaca longipedunculata, Sesamum calycinum subsp. angustifolium, Solanum aculeastrum, Toddalia asiatica, Warburgia ugandensis, and Zanthoxylum chalybeum). These species are suspected to be understudied, and a thorough bibliographic assessment has not been previously performed. Thus, the objectives of our study were to undertake a comparative assessment of the degree to which each of these plant species has been studied in the past, including evaluation of the quality of the journals where results were published in. The determination of the DoPs enabled successful assessment of the degrees to which each individual plant species has been studied so far, while also taking into account the methodological “research chain of ethnopharmacology” from ethnobotanical studies (“traditional use”) to pharmacological assays (“bioactivity”) and finally to pharmacognostic research (“structure elucidation”). The significance of a research paper was assessed by determining whether its journal and publishing house were members of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). In total, 634 peer-reviewed publications were reviewed covering the period of 1960–2019, 53.3% of which were published in journals and by publishing houses affiliated with COPE (338 publications). The literature assessment resulted in the identification of understudied plants among the selected species. The majority of plants reviewed have not been sufficiently studied; six species were classified as being highly understudied and three more as being understudied: C. buchananii, F. saussureana, L. calostachys, M. lycopodioides, M. kandtiana, and S. calycinum subsp. angustifolium and A. coriaria, P. hadiensis, and S. aculeastrum, respectively. The newly introduced DoPs are a useful tool for the selection of traditionally used species for future laboratory studies, especially for pharmacological bioassays, isolation procedures, and drug discovery strategies.

The study of volatile compounds of the raw material of immortelle (Helichrysum bracteatum)

Topicality. Plants during their life cycle synthesize, accumulate and release volatile compounds into the environment. Volatile compounds are substances that are heterogeneous in structure and chemical properties, and belong to different classes of compounds. These substances can have saturated and unsaturated, linear and branched chains and cyclic fragments. They can also contain various functional groups: hydroxyl, ether, carboxyl, etc. Substances of the terpenes class occupy a special place among volatile compounds. Many substances related to volatile compounds are commercially important. This fact determines the commercial value of any plant and the prospects of its pharmacognostic research. The study of the composition of volatile compounds will allow us to assess the prospects of further study of a particular plant. With the steadily increasing demand of the pharmaceutical industry for the medicinal plant raw material, and the need to search for new medicinal products based on medicinal plants, special attention should be paid to plants that have a widely represented raw material base. Immortelle (Helichrysum Bracteatum) is such a promising plant. The preliminary phytochemical studies have found that the raw material of immortelle has a diverse composition of biologically active substances.Aim. To study the composition of volatile compounds of immortelle herb and flowers.Materials and methods. As the study object the crushed raw of immortelle was used. The study of volatile compounds was performed on an Agilent 6890N/5973 inert chromatography-mass spectrometric system (Agilent Technologies, USA); the carrier gas was helium.Results and discussion. As a result of the study conducted, 26 volatile compounds were identified in the herb of immortelle, 39 compounds in the flowers of immortelle. Identification was carried out using the mass spectra library NIST 02, WILEY 2007, as well as AMDIS and NIST identification programs. When determining the share of each of the substances identified in the total amount of volatile compounds it was found that the main volatile compounds in the herb of immortelle were n-hexadecanoic acid (44.48 %), phytol (13.71 %), 9.12-octadecanoic acid (11.21 %) and decamethyltetrasiloxane (8.55 %). The main volatile compounds in the flowers were n-hexadecanoic acid (43.83 %), 9.12-octadecanoic acid (19.52 %), the methyl ester of 7.10.13-hexadecatrienoic acid (8.85 %) and tetradecanoic acid (6.10 %). The remaining compounds identified were in significantly smaller amounts. Their share was 22.05 % in the herb, and 21.70 % in the flowers. Conclusions. For the first time, the study of the qualitative composition of volatile compounds in the herb and flowers of immortelle has been conducted using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. The results of the study of volatile compounds of the raw material of immortelle, as well as according to the studies conducted earlier on the content of substances of other classes, indicate the prospect of further research of immortelle as an object for the development of new drugs.

Validation of the HPLC-UV Method for Quantitative Determination of Steroid Sapogenin Diosgenin from Hay Fenugreek Seeds, Trigonella Foenum-graecum L.

Introduction. Modern pharmacognostic research is aimed at searching for plant biologically active individual compounds (hereinafter referred to as RBAIS) isolated from plant extracts.Aim. Validation of HPLC-UV quantitative determination of sapogenin diosgenin in plant extracts from fenugreek seeds.Materials and methods. The object of study was raw materials-fenugreek seeds produced as medicinal plant raw materials by LLC «Sage» (Irkutsk). Validation of the method was carried out according to the parameters: specificity, linearity, correctness, precision in accordance with the requirements of SP XIV. One series of medicinal plant raw materials was used for the analysis, such as serial number – 010117, release date – 15 february 2017.Results and discussion. Validation characteristics were determined and their compliance with the necessary acceptance criteria was experimentally confirmed.Conclusion. It is established that the developed method of identification and quantitative determination of diosgenin in fenugreek seed extracts by HPLC-UV is correct, precise, specific and linear in the analytical field.

Ethnopharmacology, Therapeutic Properties and Nutritional Potentials of Carpobrotus edulis: A Comprehensive Review

Carpobrotus edulis, formerly known as Mesembryanthemum edule L, belongs to the Aizoaceae family of plants. It is a facultative halophytic invasive medicinal and edible succulent plant that is native to South Africa and is distributed worldwide. Hitherto, this plant appears to be mainly known for its ornamental use in decorations, soil stabilization, and erosion control, and not for its many potential medicinal and nutritional benefits, thus suggesting its underutilization. This review presents cogent and comprehensive information on the distribution, ethnomedicinal use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and nutritional value of Carpobrotus edulis and provides the rationale for further pharmacognostic research that will validate its many folkloric medicinal and nutraceutical claims, and promote its standardization into a commercially available product. The reported traditional use of this plant for the treatment of sinusitis, diarrhoea, tuberculosis, infantile eczema, fungal and bacterial infections, oral and vaginal thrush, high blood pressure, diabetes, wound infections, spider and tick bites, sore throat as well as mouth infections are well documented. Its therapeutic activities such as anti-proliferative, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity, and nutritional value have also been reported to be attributable to the array of phytoconstituents present in the plant. These have promoted renewed research interests into this valuable medicinal plant with a view to repositioning and expanding its uses from the current predominantly ornamental and environmental management role to include phytotherapeutical applications through scientific validation studies that will improve its value for the drug discovery process as well as its contribution to food security.

Method Development for Quantitative Determination of Diosgenin from the Seeds of Fenugreek, <i>Trigonella foenum-graecum</i> L.

Introduction . Modern pharmacognostic research is aimed at searching for plant biologically active individual compounds (RBAIS) isolated from plant extracts. Aim . Study of the content of the steroid sapogenin diosgenin in fenugreek seeds in plant extracts by HPLC-UV method. Materials and methods . The object of study was raw materials-fenugreek seeds produced as medicinal plant raw materials by LLC «Sage» (Irkutsk). Series of extraction and chromatographic separation by HPLC-UV method were performed. Results and discussion . In this work, the method of diosgenin extraction was successfully optimized (after acid hydrolysis of dioscin with a 5 % aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid when heated for at least 4 hours in a sand bath at a power of 150 W) from raw fenugreek seeds using a 50 % aqueous solution of isopropanol, h.h. A simplified technique for chromatographic separation of diosgenin from fenugreek seed extracts using an isocratic mode of 99.9 % acetonitrile elution (h.h.) was proposed. Conclusion . The average content of diosgenin (after acid hydrolysis of dioscin) in fenugreek seeds, taking into account the humidity of raw materials, is (M ± σ ) 5,3 ± 0,05 mg/g (95 % CI: 5,1-5,4 mg/g; n = 6).

Anatomy and microscopic characteristics of Picris japonica

Picris japonica Thunb., Asteraceae, is an herbal medicine used to dispel heat, reduce swelling and alleviate pain in traditional Mongolian medicine. Its dried whole plant is mainly used to treat flu and mammary abscesses. Given the potential applications of such an herb, detailed pharmacognostic research on P. japonica is needed. This study attempted to fill this need by producing permanent and semi-permanent slides of different organs (root, stem, leaf, pollen grain, fruit and powder of the whole plant) using safranine staining, safranine-fast green double staining and common methods. Furthermore, several featured microscopic structures of P. japonica are described herein. The results obtained provide us with valuable information for botanical quality control and species identification and enable us to detect adulterations in commercial samples of Picris or in laboratory samples.