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С-phycocyanin (phycocyanin) is a pigment-protein complex of the lightharvesting phycobiliprotein family that takes part in the primary phase of photosynthesis in lower plants. The phycocyanin content depends on such factors as the species of microalgae, physical state of biomass, extraction techniques, etc. The main methods for obtaining phycocyanin from biomass include chemical, physical and enzyme treatments with the following purification by such methods as precipitation with ammonium sulfate, ion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography. The commercial value of phycocyanin is directly related to the methods of its obtaining, purification and purity. The ratio of absorbances A620/A280 indicates the grade of phycocyanin and is the principal index of its purity. If the ratio of A620/A280 is greater than 4, phycocyanin can be used for pharmaceutical and analytical studies; at not less than 0.7, phycocyanin can be used for the food industry and at not less than 3.9 phycocyanin can be used as a reagent. The purified phycocyanin has some absorption maxima at the wavelengths of 610-625 nm, 353 nm and 277 nm. Its molecular mass ranges from 110 to 220 kDa. The search for extraction methods is aimed at obtaining a high yield of phycocyanin of an appropriate purity in industrial scale. This will allow a wider introduction of phycocyanin into the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries as a safe product with many positive biological properties, in particular, antioxidant, antitumor, antiplatelet, antibacterial, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explores antibacterial, antiinflammatory and cytoprotective capacity of Pelargonium sidoides DC root extract (PSRE) and proanthocyanidin fraction from PSRE (PACN) under conditions characteristic for periodontal disease. Following previous finding that PACN exerts stronger suppression of Porphyromonas gingivalis compared to the effect on commensal Streptococcus salivarius , the current work continues antibacterial investigation on Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Escherichia coli. PSRE and PACN are also studied for their ability to prevent gingival fibroblast cell death in the presence of bacteria or bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), to block LPS- or LPS + IFNγ-induced release of inflammatory mediators, gene expression and surface antigen presentation. Both PSRE and PACN were more efficient in suppressing Staphylococcus and Aggregatibacter compared to Escherichia , prevented A. actinomycetemcomitans - and LPS-induced death of fibroblasts, decreased LPS-induced release of interleukin-8 and prostaglandin E2 from fibroblasts and IL-6 from leukocytes, blocked expression of IL-1β, iNOS, and surface presentation of CD80 and CD86 in LPS + IFNγ-treated macrophages, and IL-1β and COX-2 expression in LPS-treated leukocytes. None of the investigated substances affected either the level of secretion or expression of TNFα. In conclusion, PSRE, and especially PACN, possess strong antibacterial, antiinflammatory and gingival tissue protecting properties under periodontitis-mimicking conditions and are suggestable candidates for treatment of the disease.

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the disruption of beneficial microbiota are key problems in contemporary medicine and make the search for new, more efficient infection treatment strategies among the most important tasks in medicine. Multicomponent plant-derived preparations with mild antibacterial activity created by many simultaneous mechanisms together with anti-inflammatory, innate immune and regenerative capacity-stimulating properties are good candidates for this therapy, and proanthocyanidins are among the most promising compounds of this sort. In this study, we have isolated proanthocyanidins from Pelargonium sidoides DC root extract and characterized and compared the composition, antioxidant properties and antibacterial activity of the proanthocyanidin fraction with those of the whole extract. The results revealed that proanthocyanidins had significantly stronger antioxidant capacity compared to the root extract and exhibited a unique antibacterial action profile that selectively targets Gram-negative keystone periodontal and peri-implant pathogenic strains, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis , while preserving the viability of beneficial oral commensal Streptococcus salivarius . The finding suggests that proanthocyanidins from Pelargonium sidoides root extract are good candidates for the prolonged and harmless treatment of infectious diseases.

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, a member of the Asteraceae family, is a plant rich in flavonoids, essential oils, phenolic compounds, saponins, polysaccharides and glycoproteins. The aim of the study was to evaluate the protein content in dried roots of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench after homogenization of roots with liquid nitrogen, extraction in 0.01 mol L-1 phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and purification followed by fractionation of proteins using gel filtration chromatography. Total concentration of proteins was measured using the Bradford method, and evaluation of the molecular mass of proteins was accomplished by applying the SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis. The Bradford assay revealed that the highest concentration of proteins in fractions collected after gel filtration chomatography was 4.66-6.07 mg mL-1. Glycoproteins, alkamides and polysaccharides in roots of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench are chemical compounds that are responsible for their immunomodulatory properties. However, information about the difference of protein contents in fresh and dried roots of E. purpurea is insufficient.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has dramatically increased in the past decade. Furthermore, increasing evidence from research shows that oxidative stress (OS) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and in its complications. A search for ways to reduce oxidative damage has become the focus of interest for the majority of scientists. In this study, we determined the radical scavenging activity of single green tea constituents by using an on-line high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and evaluated the antioxidant effects on type 2 diabetic patients by performing a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Epigallocatechin gallate was identified as the most potent antioxidant, contributing approximately 50% of the total antioxidant capacity of green tea extract. We also found a statistically significant decrement of lipid peroxidation markers in patients treated with green tea extract after 9 months or after 18 months of follow-up. Overall, these findings are attractive for diabetic patients, helping them to keep a high level of performance and well-being, which ultimately may delay the time of disability and reduce mortality., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Unlabelled: Heavy metals (lead, cadmium) are possible dashes which quantity is defined by the limiting acceptable contents. Different drugs preparations: infusions, decoctions, tinctures, extracts, etc. are produced using medicinal plants. The objective of this research was to study the impurities of heavy metals (lead, cadmium) in medicinal plants and some drug preparations., Materials and Methods: We investigated liquid extracts of fruits Crataegus monogyna Jacq. and herbs of Echinacea purpurea Moench., tinctures--of herbs Leonurus cardiaca L. The raw materials were imported from Poland. Investigations were carried out in cooperation with the Laboratory of Antropogenic Factors of the Institute for Biomedical Research. Amounts of lead and cadmium were established after "dry" mineralisation using "Perkin-Elmer Zeeman/3030" model electrothermic atomic absorption spectrophotometer (ETG AAS/Zeeman). It was established that lead is absorbed most efficiently after estimation of absorption capacity of cellular fibers. About 10.73% of lead crosses tinctures and extracts, better cadmium--49.63%. Herbs of Leonurus cardiaca L. are the best in holding back lead and cadmium. About 14.5% of lead and cadmium crosses the tincture of herbs Leonurus cardiaca L. We estimated the factors of heavy metals (lead, cadmium) in the liquid extracts of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. and Echinacea purpurea Moench., tincture of Leonurus cardiaca L. after investigations of heavy metals (lead, cadmium) in drugs and preparations of it. The amounts of heavy metals (lead, cadmium) don't exceed the allowable norms in fruits of Crataegus monogyna Jacq., herbs of Leonurus cardiaca L. and Echinacea purpurea Moench. after estimation of lead and cadmium extraction factors, the maximum of acceptable daily intake and the quantity of drugs consumption in day.

The objective of this work is to produce chewable tablets out of Echinacea purpurea liquid extract (1:1) and ascorbic acid: to create the technology, to select methods of analysis and to examine stability. The paper describes the technology of tablets: a method of condensation is chosen; the influence of additional substances over tableting is established; pressing characteristics of tableting mixtures are examined. The quality of tablets is evaluated in terms of appearance and technological rates: average tablet mass, hardness against pressure, hardness against wearing, time of disintegration, and speed of ascorbic acid secretion. The identity of ascorbic acid, ferments and hydroxycinamon acid was established. Quantities of ascorbic and chicory acids were defined. The tablets produced were named "Askoeziuofito" tablets. The name consists of abbreviated terms of ascorbic acid, Echinacea plant and phytochemical preparation.

Wild pansy (Viola tricolor L.) has a history in folk medicine of helping respiratory problems such as bronchitis, asthma, and cold symptoms. The drugs and extracts are prepared from raw material of pansy; it is a component of some prepared antitussives, cholagogues, dermatological medicines, roborants and tonics, alternatives, and anti-phlebitis remedies. Wild pansy is indigenous to or naturalized in large parts of Europe and the Middle East as far as Central Asia, also found through the United States. In the Lithuanian flora wild pansy habitats areas have been fast reducing; this not only limits the availability of the reserves of medicinal raw materials for pharmacy and therapy needs but also causes a menace to survival of species. The reasons of reduction of natural habitats and areas of wild pansy are not only unfavorable meteorological conditions (including summer droughts) but also the competition of different herbs and irrational human activities. The opportunities of preservation of the species wild pansy need to be cultivated and the most exhaustive adaptation research should be performed.

Today phytopreparations take important place in the modern therapy. There are 6475 medicinal preparations registered in Lithuania (2 January, 2003). Out of them, 7.38 % or 482 are preparations herbal and animal origin. Lithuanian companies produce the biggest part of these drugs. Tea is the most popular drug form produced from medicinal plants. There are 4 producers of medicinal teas in Lithuania: "Acorus Calamus", "Svencioniu vaistazoles", "Herba Humana" and "Karvelio terapijos-fitoterapijos imone". Preparations of herbal origin are generally used in treatment of digestive, respiratory tract, and nervous system problems. Twenty-six different drug forms are produced from medicinal plants.

Monarda didyma L. is a herbaceous perennial with the square stems and opposite leaves characteristic of herbs in the Labiate family. Monarda didyma L. is often used as a domestic medicine, being particularly useful in the treatment of digestive disorders. The leaves and flowering stems are antihelmintic, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, rubefacient and stimulant. Monarda didyma L. has twenty-six compounds in the essential oil, of which thymol, with smaller amounts of para-cymene, d-limonene, carvacrol, linalool, and hydrothymoquinone. A new method was used for the determining of the amount of separate flavonols by high-performance liquid chromatography. The flavonoids (rutin, hyperoside, quercitrin, luteolin, quercetin) were found in leaves and flowers of beebalm. The quantity of flavonoids was higher in flowers than in leaves of Monarda didyma L.

Diabetes complications, especially late (chronic) ones, are the main reasons of invalidity and early mortality. The most threatening diabetes complications are vascular and metabolic complications (diabetic neuropathy, angiopathy, cataract, glaucoma, optic neuropathy, retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy). Good diabetes control is very important, because in early stages these changes are reversible. In order to decrease the number of diabetes complications and to postpone their development, the use of biologic active components and plants is recommended. The most important biologic active substances for this purpose are vitamins and minerals, proteins, polysaccharides, lectins, saponins and flavonoids. According the scientific data, the mostly used plants are: Ginkgo biloba, Allium sativum, Silybum marianum, Panax Ginseng, Carica papaya, Vaccinium myrtillus, Phaseolus vulgaris. Some of them are proposed for treatment of symptoms related to venous and lymphatic vessel insufficiency, for the prophylaxis and treatment of liver damage caused by metabolic toxins, in chronic degenerative liver conditions, for the therapy of digestive disorders, to increase in the unspecific way the resistance of the organism to various environmental influences, and to stabilize membranes through antioxidant and radical scavenging actions.