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Medicinal plants have always arised an interest because they usually have pharmacological effects, low toxicity and high safety. Herbal preparations can be used both for the prevention of certain diseases and for the treatment of chronic and slowly developing ones. At the same time, practically healthy people can also use them to improve their quality of life. The experience of using medicinal plants in traditional medicine in the North-West Caucasus (in particular, in the Republic of Adygea) contributed to their active study with the aim of introducing official scientific medicine into clinical practice.For the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of many diseases, the medications are widely used that have a sedative effect in various neurotic conditions and have a regulatory effect on the central nervous system, reducing excitatory processes, enhancing inhibitory processes or eliminating the consequences of stressful situations. In this regard, there is a need to expand the local raw material base of medicinal plants, which accumulate biologically active substances in high concentrations.The article provides data on the study of wild North Caucasian populations of medicinal plants (valerian officinalis, common hop, motherwort and peppermint), which are promising producers of biologically active compounds. The results obtained indicate the safety of the raw material, allow us to evaluate its quality and prove the promise of ongoing scientific research, which has not only theoretical but also practical significance for the purpose of creating drugs that have a sedative effect, as well as for processing without restrictions.

Introduction. Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A are secondary metabolites of microscopic mold fungi. They seriously threaten human and animal health. These toxins are carcinogenic, teratogenic, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic substances. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified them as class IA and IIB carcinogens. The maximum permissible concentrations of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in the Russian Federation are currently regulated only in food products according to the Technical Regulation of the Customs Union 021 "On Food Safety". The content of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in medicinal plant raw materials is not regulated in any way. Harmful environmental and biological conditions such as temperature, humidity, air quality, insects and others during post-harvest handling can lead to contamination of medicinal raw materials with aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. Therefore, the detection of these toxins is one of the problems of raw materials quality control.Text. The present review summarizes the following methods of sample purification, used at the sample preparation stage: solid-phase extraction, immunoaffin column and QuEChERS. This review also summarizes the following modern analysis methods for the identification of aflatoxin and ochratoxin A in medicinal plant raw materials: thin-layer chromatography, liquid chromatography, gas chromatography and screening methods.Conclusion. The QuEChERS method has been identified as the most popular method for preparing samples for analysis. It is based on solid phase extraction technology. This method combines the variability of approaches to sample purification and allows people to study a wider range of toxins. The high-performance liquid chromatography method has been identified as the most popular method for qualitative and quantitative analysis. It has high selectivity, multicomponent analysis and low detection limits.

The purposes of pharmaceutical biotechnology and quality control of probiotics containing lyophilized bacterial preparations, as well as the purpose of ensuring biological safety, require methods for rapid determination of the viability of dormant forms. This paper describes an approach to determining the viability of dry powdered substances. Lyophilized powder of Kalanchoe daigermontiana, dry dormant eggs of Artemia salina, and dry powder of Lycopodium sp. spores were proposed as model objects. Suspensions of virus-like particles (VLPs) to SARSCoV-2 were proposed as a cell-free reference material. The following methods of elemental analysis were used in the study: X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) on an energy-dispersive device, atomic absorption spectroscopy with electrothermal atomization, and Zeeman background correction (GZ-AAS). The free water content was determined by NMR spin echo. A new method was also used for recording the kinetics of changes in broadband radio emission in the centimeter and millimeter wavelength ranges, with a measurement duration of up to 20 minutes. Live and inactivated powdered preparations of K. daigermontiana and A. salina were prepared and characterized by elemental composition, water content, and spin-spin relaxation time (T2). For these live and inactivated preparations, it was determined that the flux density of intrinsic thermal radio emission decreases by an order of magnitude with the loss of viability. In the future, the results obtained will allow for a rapid test of the viability of lyophilized therapeutics (from medicinal plants to bacterial mixtures that stabilize the intestinal microflora). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to summarize and systematize the literature data, as well as the results of the carried out research in the field of medicinal plants used as diuretics in the Russian Federation and abroad.Materials and methods. During the search for this review article materials, the abstract databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, as well as the ResearchGate and elibrary.ru were used. The search was carried out according to the publications for the period from 2005 to 2023. The keywords were as follows: herbal diuretics, diuretic drugs, kidney diseases, types of medicinal plant raw materials. The data from the authors’ previous scientific research on the analysis of the diuretic properties of certain types of medicinal plant raw materials, as well as individual substances of a phenolic nature isolated from them (simple phenols, flavonoids), were also reviewed.Results. It was determined that the diuretic activity of most of the medicinal plants used, is due to such groups of biologically active compounds as terpenoids (essential oils and saponins), simple phenols, flavonoids and anthracene derivatives related to the secondary metabolites. It has been shown that, despite the fact that many herbal diuretics have concomitant anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antihistamine and other properties relevant from the point of view of etiology and pathogenesis of the disease, it is reasonable to use them as part of collections of medicinal plants and other combined medicinal herbal preparations, as this is in accordance with the global trend. The types of medicinal plant raw materials that can be a promising source of new diuretic herbal medicines, have been examined in this review.Conclusion. It has been determined that terpenoids and phenolic compounds make the greatest contribution to the manifestation of the diuretic activity of medicinal herbal preparations, among which the greatest structural diversity is noted for flavonoids. It has been established that in the composition of any drug, taking into account the peculiarities of etiology and pathogenesis of the disease, herbal diuretics can be both the main drug and an auxiliary component. The expediency of using medicinal plant raw materials with a diuretic effect as part of collections of medicinal plants and other combined preparations used in the treatment of kidney and urinary tract diseases has been also substantiated.

Introduction. Environmental monitoring is an important area of modern scientific research. This is due to the anthropogenic impact on the environment, which often negatively affects the diversity of the Russian medicinal flora. The use of modern instrumental analytical methods of medicinal plant raw materials is relevant due to the intensive development of science. The content of heavy metals, the elemental composition and the level of background radiation are important characteristics of ecological purity and safety of medicinal plant raw materials. These characteristics are of interest for assessing the possibility of harvesting and using medicinal plants at localization. The generally accepted instructions for harvesting were used.Aim. Investigation of the possibilities of using X-ray fluorescence and radiation methods for environmental monitoring of medicinal plant raw materials.Materials and methods. The research object was Achilleae millefolii herba. The harvestment of plant raw materials was carried out in the Bardymsky, Chernushinsky, Uinsky, Kishertsky, Oktyabrsky, Suksunsky, Ordinsky, Sivinsky districts of the Perm Region in the summer in 2022–2023. The X-ray fluorescence analyzer (XFA) ARL QUANT'X EDXRF was used to determine heavy metals and assess the elemental composition of plants. The analysis was carried out according to the methodology that was developed by scientists of the Pharmacognosy Department at the Perm State Pharmaceutical Academy. The radiation background in raw materials was assessed by using a special dosimeter RADEX RD1503.Results and discussion. As a result, it was found that harvesting of Achilleae millefolii herba is possible in the Perm Region studied areas. Bardymsky, Uinsky, Kishertsky, Ordinsky, Chernushinsky districts are the most recommended for harvesting plant raw materials. Samples from these areas are ecological purity and safe for use as medicinal raw materials and have a diverse elemental composition. The content of heavy metals does not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations according to the regulatory documentation requirements. The background radiation level does not exceed the threshold value compared to other areas in the Russian Federation.Conclusion. X-ray fluorescence analysis is a suitable and reliable analytical method for determining elements in plant raw materials. XFA is a multi-element express method that allows analyzing a sample with minimal sample preparation. The advantages of the method are good reproducibility, high sensitivity, and efficiency. Research continues.

Introduction. The available information on the elemental composition of medicinal plant raw materials of the Voronezh region showed that studies are carried out mainly on several elements, which does not allow determining the complete mineral complex of medicinal plants and describing the specifics of the accumulation of individual elements in them.Aim. The purpose of the study is to study the macro- and microelement composition of medicinal plant raw materials of the Voronezh region on the example of a protected area.Materials and methods. Pharmacopoeic types of medicinal vegetal raw materials were used as subjects of investigation: nettle leaves dioecious (Urtica dioica L.), plantain leaves large (Plantago major L.), common pajma flowers (Tanacetum vulgare L.), heart-shaped linden flowers (Tilia cordata Mill.), herb of five-lobed dumplings (Leonurus quinquelobatus Gilib.), grass of bitter wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.), common millennium grass (Achillea millefolium L.), bird mountain grass (Polygonum aviculare L.), roots of the common bladder (Arctium lappa L.), roots of the dandelion drug (Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg). Raw material harvesting was carried out in accordance with pharmacopoeic rules in natural thickets in the Voronezh State Natural Biosphere Reserve named after V. M. Peskov in the Ramonsky district. The microelement composition of the samples was studied mass-spectroscopically on an ELAN DRC device (PerkinElmer Instruments, USA) after acid-microwave decomposition.Results and discussion. In each plant sample, 59 elements were quantified. The content of the total elemental complex in the studied types of LRs varies from 1.91 to 7.68 % in terms of dry raw materials. The studied raw materials accumulate macroelements to the greatest extent (more than 84 %). Essential trace elements accumulate most in dioecious nettle leaves (more than 9 mg/g). Of the essential trace elements, silicon and iron accumulate most of all the studied raw materials. Content of regulated toxic trace elements does not exceed requirements of pharmacopoeia.Conclusion. The results of the study showed a complex macro- and microelement composition of the studied medicinal vegetal raw materials, which can be used in the medical and pharmaceutical practice of creating phytopreparations and biologically active additives for correcting physiological norms of the content of elements in the human body. The most quantitatively rich elemental composition is noted for the grass of five-lobed dumplings, nettle leaves of dioecious and large plantain (more than 50 mg/g).

Scientific relevance. Deuterated analogues of test substances, when used as internal standards, enable analysts to determine traces of residual pesticides in a medicinal plant raw material by gas or liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. This prompts the search for an undemanding method for the synthesis of deuterated reference standards, with the ultimate goal of expanding the range of reference standards produced in Russia.Aim. The study aimed to synthesise deuterated reference standards (malathion-D6, chlorophos-D6, dichlorophos-D6, and their precursors) and determine their spectral characteristics using 1Н, 2Н, 13С and 31Р nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry.Materials and methods. The study involved methanol-D4, phosphorus pentasulfide, phosphorus trichloride, maleic acid diethyl ether, triethylamine, hydroquinone, and chloral hydrate. The authors recorded 1H, 2H, 13C, and 31P NMR spectra using a QONE AS400 NMR spectrometer operating at a temperature of 298 °K and respective frequencies of 399.83, 61.38, 100.55, and 161.85 MHz. Mass spectra were obtained using an analytical system comprising an Agilent Infinity 1260 liquid chromatograph equipped with an automatic sample injector and coupled with a Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Fusion Lumos high-resolution mass-selective tandem spectrometer operating in electrospray ionisation mode.Results. The authors used existing methods for the synthesis of organophosphate pesticides as a basis and developed synthesis routes to produce the deuterated analogues malathion-D6, chlorophos-D6, and dichlorophos-D6. The synthesised compounds were identified by NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry.Conclusions. The synthesised compounds are highly pure and suitable for use as internal standards in the determination of organophosphate pesticides in medicinal plant raw materials. The synthesis methods developed by the authors can be used to produce reference standards in Russia.

The work is devoted to the study of the phytochemical composition of subcritical extracts of the underground part of aconite high (Aconitum septentrionale L.). The samples of roots and rhizomes of Aconitum septentrionale grown in the Altai Republic were studied. The quality characteristics of plant biomass were determined: moisture content, ash content, quantitative content of biologically active substances extracted by methods of sequential extraction and sequential processing of plant materials under subcritical conditions. The group composition of biologically active substances of Aconitum septentrionale has been established. The quantitative content of biologically active substances of alkaloid nature isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Aconitum septentrionale by different methods was determined. It is shown that the content of alkaloids extracted under subcritical conditions for 2 h is higher than those extracted by maceration for 16 h. A formulation has been developed to create a cream gel based on extracts of Aconitum septentrionale extracted in various ways. The physico-chemical parameters were analyzed and the effectiveness of cream-gels developed using extracts obtained by various methods from the roots and rhizomes of high aconite was revealed. The data presented in the article are of interest for the creation of biologics based on extracts of Aconitum septentrionale, promising for use in the pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Trace elements are an essential part of the human body, but about 80 % of the human population notes an imbalance in their content. Medicinal plants contain minerals in an accessible and digestible form together with biologically active substances. Medicinal herbal preparations are very popular for the prevention and as part of the complex therapy of various diseases. However, information about the content of trace elements in multicomponent medicinal herbal preparations is very limited. Therefore, it is necessary to study the mineral composition, which will allow us to consider plant collections as an additional source of trace elements.Aim. The purpose of our study was to study the content of trace elements (B, Si, Al, Ba, Sr, Ti) in breast collection No. 4, its components and aqueous extracts from them.Materials and methods. The objects of the study were breast collection No. 4, its individual components and aqueous extracts from them. Infusions from the samples were obtained according to the instructions for use on the packaging of a medicinal herbal preparation. The samples were prepared for analysis with a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and water deionized in the Milestone Ethos Up microwave system (Milestone, Italy). The analysis was carried out by atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma on the ISP-NPP 720-ES device (Agilent Technologies, USA).Results and discussion. It was found that the concentrations of Si, Al, B, Sr, Ba, Ti in individual components of the collection varied in the range of 2.9–1240 mg/kg, the transition of trace elements to aqueous extracts was 0.4–34.2 %. The content of these elements in breast collection No. 4 was found to be 13.3–920.7 mg/kg, and the degree of extraction the infusion was 3–40 %. Comparative analysis showed that the extraction of B, Al, Ba from the collection into the infusion is 14–58 % higher than from the individual components included in its composition. It has been established that 50 % of boron and 264 % of silicon from the recommended adequate level of consumption in the Russian Federation enters the human body with an infusion from the breast collection No. 4.Conclusion. The study showed that breast collection No. 4 can be considered as an additional source of B and Si in the human body. The concentrations of Al, Sr, Ba, Ti were within the average values of the range of the content of these elements in plants.

Purpose. To study the accumulation of catechins, anthocyanins, leucoanthocyanins and ascorbic acid in plants of the genus Arctium, introduced to the M. M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden. Methods. Introduced plants of the genus Arctium were used for the study, namely A. lappa L. (greater burdock), A. tomentosum Mill. (woolly burdock), A. nemorosum Lej. (wood burdock) and A. minus Bernh (lesser burdock). Phytochemical analyses of plant organ samples were carried out at different stages of ontogeny. Free catechins, anthocyanins and leucoanthocyanins were determined by the photocolorimetric method. Results. It was found that second year plants accumulate more catechins than first year plants. Their maximum amount is found in the leaf plates of A. lappa and A. minus in the budding phase (180.0 ± 0.3 and 144.0 ± 0.1 mg%, respectively). The content of leucoanthocyanins in the leaf plates of one-year-old plants varied from 72.0 ± 0.4 (A. lappa) to 660.0 ± 0.6 mg% (A. minus); two-year-old plants - from 18.0 ± 0.6 (A. nemorosum) to 165.0 ± 0.5 mg% (A. lappa). Most of these compounds were found in the leaf bl ade of A. minus in the first year of vegetation. The amount of anthocyanins in leaf plates of one-year-old plants varied from 9.0 ± 0.1 (A. nemorosum) to 42.0 ± 0.4 mg% (A. minus), in petioles from 9.8 ± 0.06 (A. tomentosum) to 117.0 ± 0.6 mg% (A. min us). In the second year of vegetation, their accumulation ranged from 12.0 ± 0.3 (A. minus) to 42.0 ± 0.6 mg% (A. tomentosum) in leaf plates and from 9.6 ± 0.1 (A. tomentosum) to 48.0 ± 0.1 mg% (A. nemorosum) in petioles. Most anthocyanins were found in the petioles of A. minus from the first year of vegetation. Conclusions. The phytochemical studies established that plants of the Arctium genus, introduced to the M. M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden, accumulate varying amo unts of phenolic compounds during the growing season. The proportion of flavonoids in leaves was found to be related to air temperature. An increase in temperature leads to a decrease in the content of anthocyanins, while an increase in catechins occurs due to a decrease in temperature. The leaf plates of annual plants belonging to the Arctium genus accumulate the highest levels of ascorbic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Intensive anthropogenic impact leads to a sharp reduction in natural reserves of many valuable plants. In this regard, previously obtained data on stocks quickly become obsolete. Therefore, the inventory of stocks of medicinal plants in the Russian Federation as a whole and the Middle Urals, in particular, remains an urgent problem. Unfortunately, modern technologies are not being implemented intensively enough in the domestic pharmacy. In our opinion, the reasons for this are expensive software, insufficient theoretical and practical skills to work on personal computers, as well as the specifics of the industry. Despite this, the use of geographic information systems (GIS) in pharmacy is quite promising [7–9]. The use of geographical information systems as a methodological basis will make it possible to map the areas of medicinal plants, to analyze plant communities not only for the territory of the Middle Urals at a high scientific level [1, 4].Aim. Development of predictive models for the distribution of medicinal plants based on a comprehensive assessment of the state of populations of wild medicinal plants of the Middle Urals.Materials and methods. The determination of raw material reserves of the studied species of medicinal plants was carried out on specific thickets according to the generally accepted methodology. The authenticity of raw materials was established by the macroscopic method when collecting samples of raw materials. In the course of the study, stocks of 4652 populations of 27 species of medicinal plants growing in the Middle Urals were studied. The collection of the material was carried out in the period from 2006 to 2019 during the survey of the administrative districts of the Perm Krai and the Sverdlovsk region. A comparative comprehensive assessment of resource and phytochemical indicators was studied using the example of 6 species of wild medicinal plants: Origanum vulgare L., Lamiaceae, Hypericum perforatum L., Hypericaceae and Hypericum maculatum Crantz, Hypericaceae, Tanacetum vulgare L., Asteraceae, Artemisia absinthium L., Asteraceae, Leonurus quinquelobatus Gilib., Lamiaceae, Achillea millefolium L., Asteraceae.Results and discussion. In the course of resource and phytochemical studies of representatives of the medicinal flora of the Middle Urals, a comprehensive assessment of the state of populations of wild medicinal plants – sources of medicinal plant raw materials (herba Origani vulgaris, herba Hyperici, flores Tanaceti vulgaris, herba Artemisiae absinthii, herba Achilleae millefolii and herba Leonuri) was carried out. A geospatial analysis of the distribution of medicinal plant populations by soil types within the regions of the Middle Urals was carried out. An algorithm for constructing predictive models of the distribution of populations of wild medicinal plants of the Middle Urals has been worked out. A set of maps of the "occurrence" of medicinal plants in the study area has been developed.Conclusion. The conducted complex of studies will allow updating information about the medicinal flora of the Middle Urals. Developed on the example of a number of representatives of the medicinal flora of the Middle Urals, the algorithm for constructing forecast maps can be used for any regions in the presence of appropriate topos.

Amethodological approach to regional ecological and pharmacognostic quality assessment of medicinal plant raw materials has been developed. Modern physicochemical analytical methods (atomic absorption spectrometry, gas chromatography, spectroradiometry, chromatography-mass spectrometry, spectrophotometry, gravimetry) were used for a comprehensive study of the ecological and pharmacognostic state of medicinal plant raw materials using knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare L.), absinth herb (Artemisia absinthium L.), common yarrow herb (Achillea millefolium L.), motherwort herb (Leonurus quinquelobatus Gilib.), plantain leaves (Plantago major L.), nettle leaves (Urtica dioica L.), linden flowers (Tilia cordata Mill.), tansy flowers (Tanacetum vulgare L.), dandelion roots (Taraxacum officinalis F. H. Wigg), and burdock roots (Arctium lappa L.) as examples. Contamination of them by various ecotoxins (heavy metals and arsenic, organochlorine pesticides, natural radionuclides) and the accumulation of the main groups of biologically active compounds (BACs) (flavonoids, phenolcarboxylic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, essential oils, polysaccharides) were studied. Voronezh Region was chosen as a model region. A correlation between the contents of these ecotoxins in the upper soil layers and the plants was revealed. The impact of the determined ecotoxins on the accumulation of the various groups of BACs in the medicinal plant raw materials was studied. Features and regularities of the accumulation of heavy metals and arsenic, pesticides, radionuclides, and the main groups of BACs in plants of various ecotopes are shown. The results of the theoretical and experimental studies of the quality of plant resources formed the basis of methodological approaches developed to conduct regional ecological and pharmacognostic quality assessment of medicinal plant raw materials that can be scaled for studying plant resources of other territories of the Russian Federation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Nowadays, herbal medicines are becoming more and more popular. In this regard, herbal medicinal preparations based on rhizomes and roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim., syn. Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Harms, are of particular interest. Its have an adaptogenic, immunomodulatory effects mainly due to the presence of phenyl propane compounds: eleutherosides B, D, E, E1. The current pharmacopeial monographs FS.2.5.0053.15 "Eleutherococcus senticosus rhizomes and roots" and FS.3.4.0009.18 "Eleutherococcus senticosus rhizomes and roots liquid extract" in The State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation XIV Edition, in our opinion, does not allow to fully objectively and uniformly assess the quality of raw materials and preparations.Aim. The aim is substantiation of new approaches to quality control of raw materials and preparations of Eleutherococcus senticosus, consisting in changing the conditions of sample preparation and analysis of active biological compounds in comparison with pharmacopoeial methods.Materials and methods. Samples of the medicinal preparation "Eleutherococcus extract liquid" of a domestic manufacturer (5 lots) and experimental preparation "Eleutherococcus syrup". When performing high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, a reference sample of syringin was used that met the requirements of pharmacopeial monograph VFS 42-2088-92. Methods of UV-spectroscopy and HPLC were used to determine the quantity of biologically active substances.Results and discussion. As a result of the research, other methodological and methodological approaches have been developed to determine the content of the total of phenylpropanoids in terms of eleutheroside B (syringin) by direct UV-spectrophotometry using a standard sample of syringin or the value of its specific absorbance. New conditions for HPLC analysis of eleutheroside B (syringin) in preparations of Eleutherococcus senticosus have been selected.Conclusion. As a result of the phytochemical study, a spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of the total of phenylpropanoids in terms of syringin and an HPLC method for the determination of eleutheroside B (syringin) using an external standard after preliminary purification of the total extracts by filtration through a layer of aluminum oxide.

The features of extracting macroelements from medicinal plant raw materials (pharmacopoeial types) into infusions and decoctions were studied. The richest mineral compositions were found in infusions of Urtica dioica L. leaves, Leonurus quinquelobatus Gilib. herb, and Plantago major L. leaves and the decoction of Arctium lappa L. roots. The transfer of potassium into the extracts was relatively low (from 35.69% to 67.49%) although its content in all studied infusions and decoctions ranged from 62.72% to 75.99% of the entire elemental composition. High concentrations were noted for calcium (from 4.82 to 23.27% of the elemental complex of infusions and decoctions) and phosphorus (from 2.35% to 14.76%). The degree of calcium extraction varied from 7.11% to 32.30%; phosphorus, from 12.73% to 53.39%; magnesium, from 22.11% to 33.00%. Sodium amounted to 0.23 – 1.12% of the elemental profile of the aqueous extracts while the degree of sodium extraction was the highest among all determined macroelements (77.69 – 99.39%). The dependences of the macroelement content in infusions and decoctions on their content in the medicinal plants showed that their concentrations in the water extracts increased as the concentration of all determined elements in the raw material increased although the efficiency of their transfer into the aqueous extracts decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of macro- and trace elements by medicinal plant raw materials (MRMs) from soils in the natural biocenosis of Voronezh Region is studied. Potassium and phosphorus belong to a group of macroelements highly accumulated in all studied MRMs. Arelatively high level of calcium accumulation was noted in leaves of common plantain (Plantago major) and nettle (Urtica dioica); of magnesium, in leaves of U. dioica. Essential elements including zinc and copper were strongly accumulated by all types of MRMs. Molybdenum was strongly accumulated in linden flowers, yarrow and bitter wormwood herbs, plantain leaves, and especially strongly in nettle leaves. Cobalt was strongly accumulated in roots of the studied plant species. Nettle leaves strongly accumulated mercury. High strontium accumulations were noted in burdock roots, nettle and plantain leaves, and yarrow herb. Knotweed (Polygonum aviculare) herb strongly accumulated tellurium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Medicinal plant raw materials are one of the most important sources of herbal remedies used both for the prevention and treatment of a number of diseases [1, 2]. Even with the development of modern science and chemistry, medicinal plant raw materials are widely used in both folk and official medicine. The advantage of medicinal plants is their wide range of biological activity, low toxicity and the possibility of long-term use without significant side effects. Human economic activity has a noticeable negative effect on the condition of wild-growing plants: their stocks are decreasing, and some species disappear altogether. Today, given the high level of development of industry and agriculture, the procurement of raw materials for wild medicinal plants is not always possible. Information on the quantitative assessment of the raw material base of wild medicinal plants in the Middle Urals, the content of biologically active substances in medicinal plant raw materials is partially outdated, which determines the need for their systemic resource study and chemical-pharmacognostic study.Aim. Comprehensive assessment of the state of populations of wild medicinal plants in the Middle Urals.Materials and methods. Determination of stocks of raw materials of the studied species of medicinal plants was carried out on specific thickets according to the generally accepted method. The authenticity of the raw materials was established by a macroscopic method when collecting raw material samples. In the course of the study, samples of medicinal plant materials of 5 types were prepared. The determination and assessment of the main indicators of the good quality of medicinal plant raw materials (the content of active and extractive substances, moisture in the mass upon drying, total ash and ash insoluble in a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid) was carried out according to the methods and requirements of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation XIV edition. In the raw materials Artemisiae absinthii herba and Leonuri herba, the amount of extractives was determined by the gravimetric method. The quantitative assessment of the content of essential oil in the samples of Origani vulgaris herba and Tanaceti vulgaris flores was carried out by the method of hydrodistillation. To determine the quantitative content of the sum of flavonoids in Hyperici herba, Artemisiae absinthii herba, Leonuri herba and the sum of flavonoids and phenolcarboxylic acids in Tanaceti vulgaris flores, a spectrophotometric method was used.Results and discussion. In the course of resource and phytochemical studies of representatives of the medicinal flora of the Middle Urals, a comprehensive assessment of the state of populations of wild medicinal plants – sources of medicinal plant raw materials (Origani vulgaris herba, Hyperici herba, Tanaceti vulgaris flores, Artemisiae absinthii herba and Leonuri herba) was carried out. The results are included in the electronic inventory of wild medicinal plants of the Middle Urals.Conclusion. The conducted complex of studies will allow updating information about the medicinal flora of the Middle Urals in order to use raw materials for the creation of medicines.

Introduction. This review examines the current state of technology for ultrasonic isolation of biologically active components from medicinal vegetal raw materials. The main emphasis is placed on "green" technologies that intensify the processes of isolation of components such as flavonoids.Text. Modern technologies imply the use of combined methods, including, in addition to ultrasound, significant grinding of raw materials before the extraction process, the use of supercritical solvents (liquefied gases) under excessive pressure. The effect of ultrasound power and temperature on the output of the extracted components was also considered.Conclusion. 1. To increase the yield of biologically active compounds from plant raw materials among various physical methods of extraction intensification, the use of ultrasound dominates. 2. Ultrasonic extraction can be divided into several main types: extraction in an ultrasonic bath, the use of submersible ultrasonic emitters, as well as the combination of ultrasonic extraction with additional types of influence. 3. In the literature, examples of the use of ultrasonic extraction for the isolation of phenolic compounds are most fully presented, it being noted that the parameters need to be selected individually for each individual plant. 4. The power of ultrasound and the nature of the extractant can affect the course of oxidative processes in the extract, and such phenomena are characteristic not only for too high capacities, but also for low ones. 5. Ultrasound can significantly increase the yield of biologically active compounds even in aqueous extraction of fresh raw materials. 6. The spectrum of extractants selection for ultrasonic extraction of plant raw materials is quite large. Both organic solvents (ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate, acetone) and water can be used, as well as mixtures of various extractants.

Proper assessment of the quality of the obtained phytosubstances from the raw materials under study involves establishing the level of requirements for its quality. In this regard, the aim of the work is to establish the pharmacopoeial level of requirements for the quality of medicinal plant raw materials containing cardiac glycosides, based on the results of a comparative evaluation of pharmacopoeial monographs. 16 pharmacopoeias were used to collect data, of which 4 were homeopathic. The search was performed according to the keywords denoting the names of cardiac glycosides and pharmacopoeia types of medicinal plant raw materials in Latin and the language of pharmacopoeia. Based on the comparative analysis, the main list of quality indicators has been established, taking into account the requirements of national standards, which include: definition; identification, including macro- and microscopy, physico-chemical methods for determining biologically active substances; tests that include the determination of foreign impurities, weight loss during drying, the content of total ash, ash insoluble in hydrochloric acid; quantitative determination; microbiological purity; radionuclides, heavy metals, storage conditions and shelf life. Thus, unified requirements for the quality of medicinal plant raw materials containing cardiac glycosides have been developed, and optimal regulated norms for the main quality indicators have been determined, and their relationship with the quantitative content of cardiac glycosides in raw materials has been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Currently, herbal medicines are becoming increasingly popular. In this regard, of particular interest are medicinal herbal preparations based on rosehip fruits, which have a tonic, choleretic and wound healing effect due to the presence of ascorbic acid, flavonoids and carotenoids. According to the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation (SP RF) of the XIV edition, the determination of the main groups of biologically active substances (BAS) by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is carried out only by the presence of ascorbic acid, while the sensitivity of the method does not allow it to be detected in rosehip fruits of low-vitamin species.Aim. Aim is the development of new approaches to control quality and standardization of Rosehip fruits with using of modern pharmacognostic analysis methods.Materials and methods. Prepared in Samara Region, the Republic of Mari El Rosehip fruits samples in 2020 and commercial samples from various manufacturers. TLC, UV/Vis-spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods were used for determination the main BAS groups.Results and discussion. The introduction of flavonoids as one of the definitioned groups of BAS in rosehip fruits along with ascorbic acid was justified. A technique for the identification of ascorbic acid by UV/Vis-spectroscopy (wavelength 264 ± 2 nm) was developed and shown the determination possibility of this substance by HPLC.Conclusion. So phytochemical study results the expediency of the using of modern approaches to quality control and standardization of rosehip fruits, consisting in the qualitative determination of ascorbic acid by UV/Vis-spectroscopy and HPLC, as well as rutin by TLC, was justified.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is a method of treating allergic diseases with an IgE-mediated mechanism of development. ASIT is effective in the treatment of allergic diseases caused by various allergens. Medicines obtained from plant pollen are used to treat allergies caused by it. The lack of uniform, precise, and transparent requirements for pollen has led to urgent development of science-based methodological approaches that can improve the quality of this plant-based pharmaceutical substance. Existing global and domestic regulatory requirements for the quality of pollen and medicines based on it were analyzed and compared. The main methodological approaches to the quality of initial pollen raw materials were determined and studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The review describes the first stage of phyto-pharmacological screening. It includes literature data analysis on promising species of medicinal plant raw materials, total extracts and individual substances of plant origin with pronounced pharmacological activity in disorders of fat and carbohydrate metabolism, incl. obesity, diabetes mellitus type 2, metabolic syndrome, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, confirmed in preclinical and/or clinical trials.

The article contains information about the fragment of the complex study on the introduction of Inula viscosa L. to the pharmaceutical practice. Inula viscosa L. is a plant growing in Syria. Its aqueous extraction and leaf powder is used in the Mediterranean traditional medicine for the treatment of dermatological pathologies. Based on the published scientific data on antimicrobial activity and the identified prospects for the production and use of preparations based on Inula viscosa L., a pharmacological and pharmacognostic study of leaf and herb raw materials is carried out using modern pharmacopoeial methods of research and standardization. The results of research of some pharmacognostic characteristics of new types of raw materials are presented for Inula viscosa L. leaves and herb. Quality indicators of raw materials are established: moisture content in leaves is not more than 5%, amount of herb is not more than 8%, ash content is not more than 11% in leaves and herb and ash, insoluble in 10% solution of hydrochloric acid is not more than 1% in both types of raw materials, content of substances extracted by water is about 32%. The technological characteristics of the crushed raw materials are studied: bulk density, bulk mass, absorption coefficients of solvents with different ethanol content, based on the values of which 70% ethanol is selected as extractant for extraction. 70% ethanol is able to extract a multicomponent target complex of substances including phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, sesquiterpenoids. The absorption coefficients of this extractant are 1,15 ml/g for herb and 1,22 ml/g for leaves. TLC is proposed for the identification of the plant raw materials and for the detection of flavonoids and phenolcarbonic acids (caffeic and chlorogenic acids) in aqueous and alcoholic extracts. There were identified two maxima of the absorption in the UV spectrum of the alcoholic extraction of Inula viscosa L. at wavelength 298 and 329 nm. It allows to assume the presence of phenolcarbonic acids and other phenolic substances including tanning substances and flavonoids in the extraction. The obtained absorption spectrum can serve as a specific characteristic for identification of medicinal plant material and extraction of Inula viscosa L. To develop the technology of extracts, the fractional composition of the Inula viscosa L. crushed raw material is determined. The majority of particles (about 44%) in the crushed herb of Inula viscosa L. have the size more than 2 mm, while the crushed leaves represent the fraction with majority of particles (about 45%) having size less than 2 mm but more than 1 mm. The obtained data is supposed to be used for the development of the draft normative documentation for Inula viscosa L. raw materials and for the development of technology for obtaining extraction preparations based on it.

Comparative evaluation of glycyrrhizic acid content in licorice roots by methods of UV-spectrophotometry (GF RF XIII) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was carried out. Sample preparation for HPLC method of quantitative determination of glycyrrhizic acid in samples of domestic production is developed. Small selectivity of UV-spectrophotometry at determination of glycyrrhizic acid is experimentally established and perspective of HPLC method for standardization of licorice raw materials is shown.

The aim of the article is to consider the essence of economic efficiency of producing medicinal plants and medicinal plant raw materials, calculate the production efficiency and identify the factors hindering its increase. In particular, within the framework of the publication, the economic efficiency of producing medicinal plants and medicinal plant raw materials is considered based on the example of producing such crops as chamomile, sage, and lemon balm, which are in considerable demand with processing enterprises and final consumers. Those manufacturers who successfully established manufacturing and sales of products receive a 100 % profit from chamomile production. This is upon condition that 600 kg of flower, 100 kg of pollen and petals, 200 kg of straw and 50-60 kg of seeds is collected from 1 ha, and subject to successful implementation. As for the economic efficiency of producing sage and lemon balm in 2018, here we can note a fairly high level of profitability — 167 and 170 %, respectively. In general, the variation in the level of profitability of medicinal plant production depends on an increase in the harvest of highly profitable species. In the course of studying the efficiency of medicinal plant growing, namely, producing medicinal plants and medicinal plant raw materials, the problems of stages of such production are briefly considered: 1) growing medicinal plants; 2) producing medicinal plant raw materials; 3) selling the raw materials or finished product. Thus, the investigation of the issue of the economic efficiency of production of medicinal plants and medicinal plant raw materials revealed two main, in our opinion, characteristic features of this sphere under modern conditions: on the one hand, a high level of profitability, which makes the production attractive, on the other hand, a set of factors constraining the development of this line of business in Ukraine.

The standardisation of plant raw materials is among the most important problems of the production of herbal medicines. Medicinal plant raw materials are of complex nature and can be contaminated with impurity elements. Therefore, the content of elemental impurities typical for plants should be controlled in comparison with the existing conceptions of recommended or permitted daily exposures of human consumption of some chemical elements. The paper goal was to study the existing approaches in the world to the fixing of elemental impurity content in herbal medicines and comparative analysis of their permitted daily exposures. The following methods were used to implement the research goal: system approach, bibliographic and information search, statistical methods, as well as generalisation and analysis. The work is based on the analysis of documents of World Health Organisation and appropriate organisations of leading countries. The contents of 28 elements were shown to normalise in these documents. Depending on their toxicity and probability of ingress into drugs, the elements are divided into four classes. This approach creates a clear idea of the potential effects of elements on the human organism and also illustrates the sensitivity requirements for analytical methods to be used for elemental control. In medicinal plants as well as in plants that are used as food additives and spices, the content of the five most toxic elements (As, Hg, Cd, Pb and Cr) is fixed. For other impurities in medicinal plants, there are no universally recognised limit values in contrast to medicinal products. Therefore, when analysing the quality of herbal medicines, one should take into account permitted daily exposures of human consumption of individual chemical elements used for the quality control of foodstuff and drinking water as well as environmental protection.

An analytical review of pharmacopoeial aspects of preparation of infusions and decoctions in pharmacies is presented. The aim of this work is to conduct a comparative analysis of pharmacopoeial requirements for the technology of infusions and decoctions in pharmacies. Materials and methods of the research. Comparative analysis of pharmacopoeial requirements was performed using methods of systematic and structural-logical analysis. Results and discussions. It was found that in many pharmacopoeias (European, British, Italian, French, Czech, Kazakh) there are no instructions on the pharmacy technology of these dosage forms. Only the pharmacopoeias of Japan, Austria, Belarus and Russia contain separate monographs on the extemporaneous preparation of infusions and decoctions. After analyzing these monographs, it was found that the definition of infusions and decoctions as a dosage form differs. It was found that the Japanese Pharmacopoeia regulates the preliminary preparation of medicinal plant raw materials (soaking for 5 minutes in water), in other pharmacopoeias there is no such requirement. When conducting a comparative analysis of the technology of preparation of infusions and decoctions, we observe that the ratio of medicinal plant raw materials (MPRM) and extractant and extraction modes differ. Conclusions. An analytical review of pharmacopoeial aspects of preparation of infusions and decoctions in pharmacies is presented. A comparative analysis of the requirements for technology and quality control of infusions and decoctions in accordance with pharmacopoeial articles revealed both different and similar information. The results of the research showed that despite the differences in the structures of articles and names, as well as approaches to the definition of this dosage form, some requirements are similar (particle size of MPRM). The differences that were found include the ratio of MPRM and extractant, extraction modes. Taking into account the data of the analysis and the existing national requirements, the authors proposed a draft general pharmacopoeial article «Infusions and decoctions made in pharmacies». [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—This paper reviews the use of molecular genetic methods (DNA barcoding and DNA fingerprinting) for the authentication of plant raw materials and herbal medicinal products. ITS2 is shown to be the most effective DNA barcode for plants. This marker allows researchers to identify even highly degraded DNA, which is especially important in the case of herbal preparations and biologically active additives. The main problem of traditional DNA barcoding via Sanger sequencing is that it is impossible to read a barcode without preliminary cloning of an amplificate when a plant mix includes a large amount of various adulterants and excipients of plant origin, since species-specific chromatograms are superimposed on each other. Thus, NGS sequencing of ITS2 amplicons is a preferable method for the DNA barcoding of plant materials. This method can be used to analyze highly degraded DNA in multicomponent plant mixes and can be used to identify all their ingredients. The review also covers such DNA fingerprinting techniques as RFLP, RFLP-PCR, RAPD, RAPD-SCAR, AFLP-PCR, and ISSR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The relationship between the contents of heavy metals and principal groups of biologically active substances in plant raw material was traced using Polygonum aviculare L. and Plantago major L. collected in ecologically different regions of Voronezh Oblast as examples. Close negative correlations were found between flavonoids of P. aviculare and copper, cadmium, and zinc and between water-soluble polysaccharides from P. major leaves and chromium, nickel, and arsenic. The results were relevant to research on plant pharmacognosy and physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method for the separate cold water extraction of flavonoids and tannins from medicinal plant raw materials under applied electric voltage using the original extraction system was developed. The results of the study can be useful for the quantitative analysis of flavonoids and tannins and for the preparation of standard samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]