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The purposeof this study was to investigate mineral composition of the plants speciesArtemisia annuaL.,A. ludovicianaNutt. andA. austriacaL. Methods.Determination of the elemental composition of plant material was carried out by the X-ray fluorescence method. Results.The content of mineral elements in plants depends on their individual ability to absorb elements from the soil and accumulate them in the roots, leaves and flowers. Plant samples of three species of wormwood were grown and studied during the flowering phase under conditions of introduction in M.M.Gryshko National Botanical Garden of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NBG) during 2019–2022. The qualitative and quantitative content of different macro- and microelements in the soil and plants were investigated. It was shown that aerial parts of the investigated plants accumulate the most important elements for the plants life, such as – K, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn. Mesoelements Ca and S are present in sufficient quantities also. Elements Nb, Y, Ti, V, Cr were detected in soil, but were not determined in plants. OnlyA. annuaplants contains Ni and Se, whileA.ludovicianaandA. annuaplants contain Pb. The amount of toxic elements in plants did not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations for vegetable raw materials and food products. Conclusion.Content of the main macro- and microelements was determined in the plantsA.annua,A.ludovicianaandA.austriacagrowing in NBG. The tendency of plantsA. ludovicianato accumulate high concentrations of iron in the roots and aerial part was observed. The obtained data will be useful for forecasting and evaluating the results of introduction of new promising species of the genusArtemisia, in breeding of new varieties of wormwood, to determine their pharmacological properties and to make a decision about the feasibility of using them in herbal tea and food products.

Background: Hair loss or alopecia is a common dermatological condition affecting up to 2% of the world population. It is often caused by hereditary factors, such as male or female pattern baldness, but it can also result from various environmental factors, an unbalanced diet, or chronic illness. While hair loss is not life-threatening, it can cause significant anxiety, depression, and other psychological problems, ultimately impacting an individual's quality of life. Objective: Various treatments for hair loss, including both synthetic drugs, such as minoxidil and finasteride, or medicinal herbs, have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Despite synthetic drugs' effectiveness, they may come with potential side effects. Natural remedies have been proposed as a viable option for treating hair loss because many chronic disorders can cause alopecia. As such, this review focuses on identifying alternative, efficient treatment agents with limited side effects. Specifically, it looks into medicinal plants as potential healing agents for treating hair loss. Methods: To gather relevant information for the study, multiple databases were searched, including Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. A comprehensive search was conducted using a range of search terms, such as "hair loss," "alopecia," "natural remedies for hair loss," "herbal treatments for hair loss," and others to extract relevant scientific articles. Results: Many medicinal plants and natural compounds have shown potential in reducing hair loss, thanks to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and the ability to improve local metabolism when applied externally. According to existing literature, herbal extracts and formulations derived from plants, such as Urtica dioica, Humulus lupulus, Serenoa repens, Vitis vinifera, Pygeum africanum, Cucurbita pepo, etc., as well as certain individual herbal compounds, micronutrients, bee products, and keratin, may be effective in reducing hair loss directly or indirectly. Conclusion: Research suggests that medicinal plants and a variety of natural compounds hold promise in promoting hair growth and preventing alopecia.

The aim.Extracts of cranberry large leaves have prospects when used to correct insulin-resistant conditions. There­fore, to create new drugs based on cranberry leaves, you need to develop instructions for cultivating the plant, harvesting raw materials and methods of quality control. Therefore, the aim of the research was to determine the pa­rameters of standardization of large cranberry leaves (Oxycoccus macrocarpus(Ait.) Pursh) and swamp cranberries (Oxycoccus palustrisPers.). Materials and methods.Macro- and microscopic studies of raw materials were performed according to the method of SPhU 2.8.23 “Microscopic examination of medicinal plant raw materials”. Macroscopic examinations were per­formed using a magnifying glass and MBS-9 binocular microscope. Identification of basic substances was performed by TLC, testing and quantification of flavonoids according to SPhU methods. Results. The morphological and anatomical features of the leaves of common cranberry and large cranberry were determined. The general features of the structure of stems and leaves species and different differences for each species are were revealed. TLC identification of the main BAS of raw materials was developed and standardization parameters were determined. Conclusions. The parameters of cranberry leaf standardization are determined by the following indicators: mac­ro-and microscopic features, TLC identification of the main BAS raw materials (hyperoside, rutin and caffeic acid), impurities (not more than 2 %), brown stems not more than 5 %, weight loss during drying (not more than 10 %), total ash (not more than 7 %) and not less than 1 % of flavonoids, in terms of hyperoside

Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic still has tremendous impacts on the global socio-economy and quality of living. The traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) approach showed encouraging results during previous outbreaks of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). With limited treatment availability, TCM herbs and formulations could be viable to reduce COVID-19 symptoms and potential sources for discovering novel therapeutic targets. We reviewed 12 TCM herbs and formulations recommended for COVID-19 management by the National Health Commission and National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the People's Republic of China. This article explored the Chinese national authorities' guidelines from 2003 to 2020, the scientific data in public databases for the recommended TCM remedies, and their potential mechanistic actions in COVID-19 management. Several TCM herbs and formulations could potentially benefit COVID-19 management. The recommended TCM oral preparations list are Huoxiang zhengqi, Jinhua Qinggan, Lianhua Qingwen, and Shufeng jiedu; the recommended injection preparations comprise Xiyanping Xuebijing, Re-Du-Ning, Tanreqing, Xingnaojing, Shenfu, Shengmai, and Shenmai. TCM remedies are viable options for symptom alleviation and management of COVID-19. The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presents an opportunity to find novel therapeutic targets from TCM-active ingredients. Despite the recommendations in Chinese National guidelines, these remedies warrant further assessments in well-designed clinical trials for their efficacies in COVID-19.

The present study was focused on the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils (EsO) obtained from five Lamiaceae representatives grown in the south of Ukraine. Among them are Salvia sclarea L., Monarda didyma (cultivar ‘Cambridge Scarlet’), Thymus pulegioides (cultivar ‘2/6-07’), Thymus vulgaris (cultivar ‘Jalos’), and Thymus serpyllum L. The component analysis of the EsO was carried out by gas chromatography method coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The antimicrobial properties of the EsO were determined using the agar diffusion test against widespread pathogenic bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pyogenes) and opportunistic yeast Candida albicans. The EsO of Thymus serpyllum and Thymus vulgaris (cultivar ‘Jalos’) displayed noteworthy antibacterial properties against a wide spectrum of the microorganisms. These antimicrobial properties could be attributed to the high content of aromatic monoterpenoid thymol (52.56% and 47.33%, respectively). The EsO of Salvia sclarea with the dominance of linalyl acetate (45.51%) and linalool (38.98%) as well as Thymus pulegioides (cultivar ‘2/6-07’) containing α-citral (27.10%) and β-citral (17.11%) demonstrated the strongest antimicrobial effects on typical and clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus with the inhibition zones in the range of 24.0–31.0 mm. The Salvia sclarea EsO demonstrated the most significant effect against clinical strains of Candida albicans. In conclusion, the present study revealed the chemical composition of five Lamiaceae species and cultivars grown in the south of Ukraine and considerable antimicrobial activity of the tested EsO, especially against the typical and clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. The obtained results could be perspective for applying in the pharmaceutical industry and for the conservation of food and cosmetic products.

Due to its vast therapeutic potential, the plant-derived polyphenol curcumin is utilized in an ever-growing number of health-related applications. Here, we report the extraction methodologies, therapeutic properties, advantages and disadvantages linked to curcumin employment, and the new strategies addressed to improve its effectiveness by employing advanced nanocarriers. The emerging nanotechnology applications used to enhance CUR bioavailability and its targeted delivery in specific pathological conditions are collected and discussed. In particular, new aspects concerning the main strategic nanocarriers employed for treating inflammation and oxidative stress-related diseases are reported and discussed, with specific emphasis on those topically employed in conditions such as wounds, arthritis, or psoriasis and others used in pathologies such as bowel (colitis), neurodegenerative (Alzheimer’s or dementia), cardiovascular (atherosclerosis), and lung (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) diseases. A brief overview of the relevant clinical trials is also included. We believe the review can provide the readers with an overview of the nanostrategies currently employed to improve CUR therapeutic applications in the highlighted pathological conditions.

Two different methods of chromatographic analysis have been used in this study for the phytochemical evaluation of main secondary metabolites in the aerial part of bee balm (Monarda fistulosa L.) as the non-officinal medicinal plant of the Lamiaceae Martinov family. The high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting method was developed for the qualitative analyses of phenolic and non-polar compounds in the bee balm herb after its maceration in the solvents of different polarity. Such polyphenols as rosmarinic, caffeic and chlorogenic acids were authentically identified in the methanol extract of herb using HPTLC. Aromatic monoterpenoid thymol was identified by the HPTLC method in the extracts obtained with non-polar solvents (toluene, methylene chloride, and chloroform). 38 volatile compounds were determined in the methylene chloride extract of M. fistulosa herb by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS); it was taken into account only components with the content more than 0.2 %. The GC/MS analysis showed that thymol (23.73 %), followed by carvacrol (10.09 %), p-cymene (9.74 %), and thymoquinone (8.52 %) were the major constituent of methylene chloride extract. Used chromatographic techniques may be recommended for the reliable phytochemical authentication of the M. fistulosa herb.

Many diseases, including caries, chronic inflammatory diseases, diabetes, and obesity, are associated with uncontrolled sugar consumption. Artificial sweeteners are commonly used in food and pharmaceutical industries as sugar substitutes for the prevention of several dental and body diseases; they also have a favorable impact on body weight as they may help to restrict simple sugar consumption. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is commonly used as a sweetener. It can be found naturally or artificially prepared mainly from plant materials chemically or by fermentation of hemicelluloses from agricultural biomass by yeast or bacteria strains. This polyol has a significant antiplaque effect on teeth surface and can reduce the gingival inflammation; it is being used as a preventive agent for dental caries due to decreasing the growth levels of pathogenic Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sangui at the very early stages. Xylitol can bind with calcium ion leading to consequent remineralization of teeth enamel; it is also able to prevent osteoporosis. This polyol can treat respiratory tract and middle ear diseases due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potential and prevent some diseases which cannot be cured through antibiotics or surgery. Xylitol can reduce constipation, diabetes, obesity, and other body syndromes or illnesses; it has also revealed its stimulating effect on digestion and immune system. However, it can produce some side effects such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, nephrolithiasis, etc., when consumed in excessive amounts. Different vehicles are used for delivering the xylitol into the human body, but chewing gums occupy a leading position. The present review is devoted to comprehensive analyses of the positive and negative effects of this polyol on human health.Key Points• The health benefits of xylitol are not limited to oral hygiene.• Xylitol efficiently stimulates the immune system, digestion, lipid and bone metabolism.• Xylitol helps in glycemic and obesity control; reduces ear and respiratory infections.• Xylitol treats diseases that cannot be cured through antibiotics or by surgery.

Aim: Representatives of Nepetoideae Burnett subfamily are promising species of the Lamiaceae Martinov family because of accumulating such valuable groups of secondary metabolites as terpenoids and polyphenols. A high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprint method for the qualitative determination of phenolic compounds and for the quantification of rosmarinic acid (RA) content in methanol extracts of five species of this subfamily was developed for the first time. Materials and Methods: Dried aerial parts of Dracocephalum moldavica L., Ocimum americanum L., Lophanthus anisatus (Nutt.) Benth., Monarda fistulosa L., and Satureja hortensis L. collected in flowering period were macerated with methanol. The HPTLC analysis was conducted using the CAMAG analytical system (Muttenz, Switzerland). The comparative analysis of RA contents was performed by HPTLC densitometric detection at λ = 366nm. Results: Identification of polyphenols in the investigated herbs was performed by comparison of a color and Rf of the chromatographic zones with six reference standards: rutin, apigenin, luteolin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and RA. HPTLC method was also validated for the quantification of RA in the extracts of investigated herbs. RA contents decreased in such a sequence: D. moldavica (24.83 ± 0.78mg/g) > M. fistulosa (20.32 ± 0.64mg/g) > O. americanum (19.59 ± 0.61mg/g) > S. hortensis (18.77 ± 0.52mg/g) > L. anisatus (12.61 ± 0.43mg/g). Conclusion: Obtained data can facilitate the differentiation of investigated species using the chromatographic fingerprints of their phenolic compounds. Developed and validated HPTLC method provides an approach to estimate RA content as a common marker of investigated herbs.

Discoloration of teeth occurs for various reasons. Common ingredients like substances from tea and coffee, as well as antibiotics like tetracycline, or food dyes, can percolate into the teeth, and, as such, these stains may persist in the porous structure of the enamel. Smoking is also contributory to dental discoloration, with toxins of tobacco smoke accumulating in a similar way. With aging, teeth tend to be discolored with accumulation of various stains in addition to the enamel gradually eroding to expose the yellow dentin.This review focused on the effect of several natural ingredients with teeth-whitening properties and their daily clinical application. Metabolic dental bleaching mechanisms, as well as tooth discoloration and decay, were also reviewed. The current scientific literature (mostly from 2000 to 2020) was consolidated from manuscripts retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar.Natural teeth whitening effectively lightens the natural color of teeth without eroding dental surfaces. On the other hand, commercially available whiteners containing hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, in high concentrations, can lead to deproteinization and demineralization of teeth through oxidation processes. If used extensively, these compounds may cause a number of adverse effects. Alternative natural teeth-whiteners include ingredients like lemons, strawberries, oranges, papaya, and other fruits. Such natural ingredients offer a milder and safer way of whitening teeth than whiteners containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

The yield of essential oils in plants is not high and postdistillation wastes rich in phenolic compounds could be used to enhance the profitability of essential oil-bearing plants. The aim of the study was to evaluate polyphenols in a dry extract obtained from the postdistillation waste of the American basil (Ocimum americanum L.) herb, and to conduct the screening of its pharmacological activities. Rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid and rutin were identified in the extract using high-performance thin-layer chromatography. The high-performance liquid chromatography analysis found the presence of a plethora of polyphenols in the extract. Rosmarinic acid, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and rutin were as the main compounds. The total phenolic content in the extract was 106.31 mg GAE/g and free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl evaluated as IC50 was 0.298 mg/mL. The tested extract dose-dependently decreased the paw edema in rats, suggesting its potent anti-inflammatory property. The acute toxicity study indicates its safety. Thus, the O. americanum hydrodistilled residue by-product is the promising source of biologically active compounds with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Polyphenols are valuable group of phytoconstituents due to their high antioxidant activity and healing properties. Antioxidant properties of sages are attributed mainly to a high level of phenolic compounds. The aim of the present study was to elaborate an analytical procedure for the evaluation of the content of secondary metabolites of the polyphenol nature in the herb of Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea L.). Four crude extracts of Salvia sclarea herb obtained with different technologies were used to develop an analytical procedure for the total phenolic content (TPC) assay by spectrophotometric method. The optimum conditions for the analysis (time of the reaction, wavelength, and reference substances) were chosen and experimentally justified (60–80 min, 760 nm, gallic acid and rutin, respectively). Under these conditions, the developed analytical procedure is robust in the indicated time and easy for performing in phytochemical or technological laboratories. The yield of TPC from the herb of Salvia sclarea was the highest in the extracts prepared by heating at a temperature of 36–46 °C and with using the ultrasonic bath. TPC was the highest in the extract in which solvent-to-herb ratio was the least (10:1) and particle size was in the range of 2–5 mm. As a result of the studies, the analytical procedure of the determination of TPC was developed and its parameters were justified. This methodology complies with the requirements for pharmaceutical analysis to ensure the reliability of results during pharmaceutical development and routine control of Salvia sclarea extracts.

This study aimed to determine the composition and content of polyphenols in the dry extract obtained from the hydrodistilled residue by-product of the wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa L., Lamiaceae Martinov family) herb (MFDE) and to evaluate its safety and pharmacological properties. The total phenolic content (TPC) in the MFDE was 120.64 mg GAE/g. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed the presence of a plethora of phenolic compounds, including hydroxycinnamic acids and flavone derivatives in the MFDE, with rosmarinic acid and luteolin-7-O-glucoside being the main components. With an IC50 value of 0.285 mg/mL, it was found to be a strong DPPH radical scavenger. The acute toxicity study results indicate that the oral administration of MFDE to rats at the doses of 500–5,000 mg/kg did not produce any side effects or death in animals which indicates its safety. The results of the in vivo assay showed that the MFDE dose-dependently inhibited paw oedema and significantly reduced the number of writings in mice induced by the acetic acid injection suggesting its potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, respectively. The conducted studies revealed that M. fistulosa hydrodistilled residue by-product could be regarded as a new natural source of polyphenols with valuable pharmacological properties.

Winter Savory (Satureja montana L.) has been used in traditional medicine and as a spice or natural food preservative in the Mediterranean region for centuries. In this paper, some technological and analytical aspects of the S. montana tinctures development and an evaluation of the essential oil composition are provided. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents and phenolic compounds profile analyzed spectrophotometrically and by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), respectively, were evaluated in the developed tinctures. The results showed that the tinctures prepared from the S. montana herb by maceration or remaceration are rich in polyphenols, and there is an influence of the technological factors (particle size and extraction mode) on the total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Caffeic, rosmarinic, and chlorogenic acids, (&ndash, )-catechin and rutin were identified in the tinctures using the HPTLC method. p-Thymol (81.79%) revealed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was the predominant compound of the essential oil of this plant. Thus, the high contents of polyphenols and flavonoids in the developed tinctures and p-thymol among the volatile components of the S. montana essential oil could indicate the promising antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of these herbal preparations. The obtained results are a ground for the organization of the manufacture of the S. montana tincture and essential oil with the purpose of performing preclinical studies.

The present investigation was to estimate the total phenolic content and composition of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids in herbal infusions obtained from aerial parts of three Lamiaceae species (Dracocephalum moldavica, Ocimum americanum and Satureja hortensis). The total phenolic content of herbal infusions was determined using a spectrophotometric method, whereas the individual phenolics were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC method was developed and validated. The total phenolic content was measured by applying the Folin-Ciocalteu method with reference to gallic acid. Results were in the range from 29.39 to 65.38 mg estimated as gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry herb. The phenolic profile was, in turn, analysed by HPLC and consisted of gallic acid, hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic, ferulic, and rosmarinic) and flavonoids (rutin, hyperoside, quercitrin, quercetin, apigenin, apigenin-7-glucoside and catechin) in different concentrations. Rosmarinic acid was the predominant component among the hydroxycinnamic acids in herbal infusions of all three plants. This was found to be in the range of 3.64 to 5.28 mg per gram of dry herb. Apigenin-7-glucoside, quercitrin and hyperoside were the prevailing flavonoid components of the infusions.

Calanus oil (COil) is a natural product extracted from marine zooplankton Calanus finmarchicus found in the North Atlantic Ocean. This oil is rich in wax esters of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and has been projected as the best alternative to fish oil because its production cannot keep pace with the demands from the growing markets. The COil is the only commercially available marine source of wax esters, whereas classic ω-3 PUFAs comes from triglycerides, ethyl esters, and phospholipids. It has, in recent decades, been seen that there is an unprecedented rise in the use of PUFA-rich oil in the aquaculture industry. A simultaneous rise in the demand of PUFAs is also observed in the health care industry, where PUFAs are suggested preventing various disorders related to lifestyles such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic low-grade inflammation, atherosclerosis, and brain and cardiovascular disorders (CVDs). In this review, we will explore the metabolic aspects related to the use of COil as an antioxidant, anticholesterinemic, and anti-inflammatory dietary source and its impact on the prevention and therapy of obesity-related metabolic disorders.

Despite the progress in the creation of synthetic drugs, herbal medicines do not lose their relevance nowadays. Triterpenoids are quite common in the plant world and exhibit a wide range of biological activity. Medicinal plants of the Lamiaceae family can accumulate mainly pentacyclic triterpenoids which demonstrate the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anticancer and antimicrobial properties. Nowadays a number of new, poorly-studied species of the family have been introduced in Ukraine, including Monarda fistulosa L. and Ocimum americanum L. Theaimof this study was to identify the triterpenoids and to analyze the contents of their components in ethanolic extracts of M. fistulosa and O. americanum (Lamiaceae) aerial parts under the condition of their farming in West Podillya (Ukraine). Methods:foam test, sedimentation and color reaction were used to determine the presence of triterpenoids in plant material; high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to determine their components' content; determination was carried out on a liquid chromatograph Shimadzu LC20 Prominence. Results. The presence of triterpenoids in M. fistulosa and O. americanum ethanolic extracts was proved by the reactions of identification and HPLC. Effective extraction of triterpene compounds from the investigated plants was achieved using 96% and 70% ethanol. The comparative HPLC-analysis showed significant differences in content of ursolic, euscaphic, tormentic and oleanolic acids, betulin and lupeol in the aerial parts of investigated species. The most abundant components of M. fistulosa and O. americanum herbs were the ursolic and euscaphic acids. Conclusions: It was identified the presence and evaluated the contents of 6 triterpenoids in M. fistulosa and O. americanum aerial parts. The obtained data can be used in the planning of pharmacological studies and in the chemotaxonomy of Lamiaceae family