PHARMACOGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION OF GALANTHUS WORONOWII LOSINSK. AND GALANTHUS NIVALIS L. HERBAL PHARMACEUTICAL SUBSTANCES (MICROSCOPIC AND MACROSCOPIC ANALYSIS)

Objective: Today drug produced from snowdrop species (Galanthus woronowii Losinsk. and Galanthus nivalis L.) used in Russian traditional medicine for nervous and cardiovascular systems disorders treatment.Pharmacognostic study of fresh snowdrop plants including macroscopic and microscopic (morpho-anatomical diagnostic features) evaluation for identification of herbal pharmaceutical substances (HPS).Methods: Macro- and micro-scopic evaluation was carried out according to general pharmacopeial monographs of State Pharmacopoeia of Russian Federation XIII ed., Photographs were obtained by the microscope Altami 139T†(10× eyepiece and lenses: 4×, 10×, 40×, 100×) with a digital camera eyepiece UCMOS05100KPA; images were processed using Altami Studio program.Results: In a pharmacognostic study of G. nivalis and G. woronowii HPS linear dimensions were determined. Several microscopic diagnostics and anatomical signs of snowdrops were investigated: Adaxial and abaxial leaf epidermis; epidermis of corolla, peduncle; internal and external outer scale epidermis, internal and external storage scale epidermis, and sizes of cells and cellular inclusions (starch grains and calcium oxalate raphides). G. woronowii and G. nivalis HPS possess differences both in the micro and macro levels in the linear dimensions. In general, dimensions of G. nivalis organs are much smaller than G. woronowii ones, this aspect is also expressed in the cell structures linear dimensions. The complex of macro- and micro- diagnostic signs allows to identify the snowdrop species.Conclusion: The results of the investigation can be used in routine quality control and for inclusion of pharmacopeial monographs for snowdrop HPSs

MUSCARI ARMENIACUM LEICHTLIN (GRAPE HYACINTH): PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES REVIEW

This review focuses on the Muscari armeniacum Leichtlin (Asparagaceae Juss) biologically active substances composition presented in the Aireal and underground parts and finding their possible therapeutic effects. The systematic review is dedicated to the composition of biologically active substances, including recent advances in the biological activity investigation, phytochemical studies, and biotechnology methods of plant material producing. Various electronic search engines such as Google, Google Scholar, scientific literature, publishing sites, and electronic databases such as PubMed, Wiley, Springer, and Science Direct had been searched and data obtained. Other online academic libraries such as E-library and specific ethnopharmacological literature had been searched systematically for more exhaustive information on the crude herbal drug. The chemical composition of M. armeniacum biologically active substances is established; it contains anthocyanins (delphinidin and cyanidin derivatives), homoisoflavonoids, polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (hyacinthacines A1, A2, A3, and B3), oligoglycosides (Muscarosides), and ribosome-inactivating proteins (musarmins). Recent physicochemical analytical procedures for components determination and hyacinthacines synthesis pathways are mentioned. Moreover, future prospects and trends in the research of this plant have been proposed. We have reviewed researches conducted on M. armeniacum especially in areas of its use in medicine, phytochemicals, biological activity, and developed analytical methods. M. armeniacum possesses antioxidant, antimutagenic activity, and specific glycosidase inhibitory activity; M. armeniacum can be used for the production of potential anticancer, antiviral, antidiabetic, and anti-obesity drugs. It should be noted that more pharmacognostic, pharmacological studies are needed for giving further information on the clinical practice and standardization procedures for the crude herbal drug

INFLUENCE OF CONSERVATION METHOD (FREEZING AND DRYING) ON COMPOSITION AND CONTENT OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES IN ROSACEAE FRUITS (CRUDE HERBAL DRUGS)

Objective: Now, five crude herbal drugs (CHD) of fruit morphological group (fruits) related to Rosaceae family included in the Russian State Pharmacopoeia XI and XIII editions: Fructus Rosae (Rosa cinnamomea L. and other species), Fructus Crataegi (Crataegus sanguinea Pall. and other species), Fructus Sorbi (Sorbus aucuparia L.), Fructus Rubi (Rubus idaeus L.), and Fructus Aroniae (Aronia melanocarpa [Michx.] Elliott).The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of freezing and oven drying on the composition and content of individual groups of biologically active substances (BAS) in Rosaceae fruits.Methods: The groups of BAS were investigated by UV spectrophotometry (flavonoids and anthocyanins), galvanostatic coulometry titration (organic acids), gravimetry (polysaccharides), and titration with potassium permanganate (tannins).Results: The relation between content of BAS (total free organic acids, total flavonoids, total anthocyanins, total tannins, and total polysaccharides) and fruits conservation method was determined. In frozen fruits total polysaccharides, total free organic acids, ascorbic acid content decreases by 5–7%, total flavonoids and total tannins content - 10–15%, total anthocyanins content - 25–30%. Fruits oven drying at 60–80°C leads to more significant losses of total anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, and total free organic acids.Conclusion: The study of BAS stability in frozen and dried fruits was lasting for 12 months. The duration of shelf life for frozen fruits is recommended. Freezing as a conservation method allows to preserve more BAS in Rosaceae fruits. Frozen CHD can be proposed as an alternative to fresh and dried СРВ for the preparation of allopathic and homeopathic medicines

QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF PHENOL CARBOXYLIC ACIDS IN POMEGRANATE FRUIT PULP BY THE HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH ULTRAVIOLET DETECTION

Objective: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a broadly used plant possessing a wide range of medicinal properties. In this research, we have mainly focused on the investigation of phenolic compounds of pomegranate fruit pulp (PFP).Methods: Fresh fruits of Çəhrayı Gülöyşə,†Kizil-anor,†and pomegranate varietal mixture were used as samples. High-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) analysis of phenol carboxylic acids was performed with metal column Kromasil® C18 (4.6×250 mm, particle size 5 μm) and the acetonitrile-water-concentrated acid phosphoric system (400:600:5) under isocratic elution conditions (flow rate of 0.5 ml/min). Detection was carried out using a UV detector GILSTON†UV/Visible model 151 at a wavelength of 280 nm.Results and Discussion: As a result of our research, we proposed chromatographic conditions for the separation of phenolic compounds, the conditions for sample preparation of PFP. Procedure for determination of phenolic carboxylic acids total content in terms of gallic acid by HPLC-UV method was developed. According to the obtained data, the content of phenolic carboxylic acids should be at least 0.7%.Conclusion: Procedure for the quantitative determination of gallic acid using the HPLC-UV method was developed. This method which can be used in the standardization of new medicinal plant raw materials - PFP, as well as extract preparations based on it in the future

Ethno-pharmacological review on the wild edible medicinal plant, Lilium martagon L

Purpose: Martagon lily (Lilium martagon L.) is used in Eastern traditional medicine for wound healing and treatment of toothache. This review is intended to provide a comprehensive and critical evaluation of the chemical, botanical, ethnological, pharmacological, and pharmacognostic aspects of L. martagon, with a view to facilitating further in-depth pharmaceutical studies on the potentials of the plant as a herbal remedy. Methods: Diverse electronic search engines and specialized reference tools such as Google, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, scientific literature, publishing sites and electronic databases (Pubmed, Springer, Wiley and Science Direct) were used for data retrieval. The data focused on botany, traditional uses, biological activities and phytochemistry of L. martagon, with emphasis on integration of this plant in official medicare. Results: Lilium martagon possesses anti-inflammatory, sedative, anticancer, analgesic and hemostatic properties. Some modern techniques (in vitro propagation, genetic manipulation and advanced molecular biology techniques) have been applied in L. martagon biotechnology, with respect to major plant diseases and genetic variation issues. Conclusion: Lilium martagon L contains different groups of biologically-active substances, amongst which are pyrroline derivatives and steroidal saponins. These may justify the usage of this plant and its subspecies in the traditional treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases

Synthesis, Characterization and Photodegradation Studies of Copper Oxide–Graphene Nanocomposites

In this work, a simple hydrothermal method was employed to prepare a pristine sample of copper oxide (CuO) and three samples of copper oxide–graphene nanocomposites (CuO-xG) with x = 2.5, 5, and 10 mg of graphene. The synthesized samples were characterized using X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The XRD patterns of CuO-xG nanocomposites exhibited the diffraction peaks related to the crystal planes of monoclinic CuO and hexagonal graphite. The surface morphology of the prepared samples was investigated using FESEM images. EDX analysis was used to investigate the chemical composition of the synthesized samples. FTIR spectroscopy identified the vibrational modes of the covalent bonds present in the samples. The allowed direct optical bandgap energy was calculated for all prepared samples using UV-Vis absorption spectra. The small bandgap of CuO-xG nanocomposites indicates their potential use as an effective photocatalyst in the presence of visible light. Photocatalytic activity of the samples was explored for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye contaminant under visible light irradiation. The results showed that the CuO-5G sample has the highest photodegradation efficiency (~56%)

State-of-the-art of convenient and low-cost electrochemical sensor for food contamination detection: Technical and analytical overview

Food safety issue is becoming as an international concern for human health around the world. Common substances in food can pose a significant threat to human health containing but not restricted to antibiotics resides, veterinary drugs, pesticides, mycotoxins, heavy metals, food borne-pathogens, illegal additives and allergens. A series of analytical methods were engaged for monitoring of food safety but imparts either practical limitations or analytical defects. Therefore, emerging of alternative methods like portable nanoprobes is of great importance. Over the last few years, sensor platforms have since been shifted towards wearable devices and being portable. Theses probes are movable, accessible, and tiny diagnostic devices which offer in-site analysis of biological contaminants in foods to guarantee their quality and safety. Among different types of portable sensors, low-cost, and flexible sensors as a novel development of portable consumer electronics are a great revolution in living sensors that can be exploited extensively in our daily lives. In this review, recent progress of lab-on-a-glove, leaf, and disc as groundbreaking electrochemical probes for food safety sensing will be discussed, importantly in the aspect of diverse contaminants encountered in food samples

Obesity Accelerates Leukocyte Telomere Length Shortening in Apparently Healthy Adults: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Shorter telomere length is associated with numerous comorbidities. Several studies have investigated the role of obesity in telomere shortening. In the current systematic review and meta-analysis, we summarized the results of studies that evaluated the association between obesity and telomere length. Methods: A systematic search from Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and ProQuest electronic databases up to 19 March 2021 without language restriction was performed and after data extraction and screening, 19 manuscripts were eligible to be included in the final meta-synthesis. Results: The highest category of telomere length was associated with an approximate 0.75 kg/m2 reduction in body mass index (BMI; WMD = −0.75 kg/m2; CI = −1.19, −0.31; p < 0.001; I2 = 99.4%). Moreover, overweight/obese individuals had 0.036 kbp shorter telomere length compared with non-overweight/obese adults (WMD = −0.036; CI = −0.05, −0.02; p = 0.030; I2 = 100%). According to the results of subgroupings, continent, age, and sample size could be possible sources of heterogeneity. Conclusion: From the results, it was clear that obesity was associated with shorter telomere length. Because of the observational design of included studies, the causality inference of results should be done with caution; thus, further longitudinal studies are warranted for better inference of causal association