Investigation of the variety and use of herbal antidepressants containing St. John`s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) in Bulgaria for the period 2014-2016

St. John`s Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is a very popular herb that is mainly used for mild to moderate depression. The purpose of this study was to explore the available on the market in Bulgaria pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements containing St. John`s Wort, and to analyze the use of such products. The use of St. John`s Wort containing products was studied by collecting sales data from 19 pharmacies in Varna for the period 2014 - 2016. According to the study results, on the pharmaceutical market in Bulgaria St. John`s Wort is available as two pharmaceutical monoproducts and a number of dietary supplements (monoproducts and combined). In the studied period, there was an increase in the sales of products containing St. John`s Wort. The price of the products during the study period remained relatively constant. Predominant was the use of pharmaceutical products. It is preferable that products containing St. John`s wort be used on prescription as the herb is involved in multiple drug interactions

Review on the pharmacological activities of anethole

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the activities of phytopharmaceutical products and biologically active substances of plant origin. Anethole is such a substance used from ancient times in traditional medicine in many countries. Nowadays it is widely used in food and beverage industry. Its widespread use and accessible price justify carrying out extensive scientific research in order to support the traditional uses of anethole with scientific evidence. This review article summarizes the current knowledge of the traditional use of anethole, its pharmacological activities and the possible mechanisms underlying its effects.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of acne treatment with active cosmetic compexes

Acne vulgaris is one of the most prevalent dermatological diseases. Proper cosmetic treatment cansignificantly improve the condition. When choosing an active ingredient for a cosmetic product, it is important to evaluate the cost-effectiveness ratio. The aim of this study was to perform a cost-effective analysis of selected cosmetic complexes for the treatment of acne in order to make the right choice when developing a new cosmetic product. Bulgarian and foreign literature was searched to select active cosmetic complexes. For the analysis, four active complexes (A, B, C and D) were selected for which an in vitro efficacy test was performed - inhibition of 5α-reductase. The results from the cost-effectiveness analysis showed that the active complex B dominated over the remaining complexes in respect of the cost-effectiveness ratio. Complex C was superior to active complexes D and A. Active complex D is dominated byactive complex A. Active complex B, which is an osmotic gel with oleanolic acid from olive leaf and nordihydroguaiaretic acid, could be considered as a cost-effective alternative in the choice of an active ingredient when developing a cosmetic product

Antidepressant-like effect of aronia melanocarpa fruit juice applied subchronically to rats

PURPOSE: Polyphenols are bioactive substances found in many plants. Aronia melanocarpa fruits are one of the richest sources of polyphenols, amongst them proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and phenolic acids. Some of the polyphenols are reported to cross the blood-brain barrier and thus they can act centrally. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) on depressive- like behavior in subchronically treated (21 and 30 days) male Wistar rats utilizing the forced swim test (FST).MATERIAL AND METHODS: AMFJ was applied orally through an orogastric cannula once daily at doses of 2,5 ml/kg, 5 ml/kg and 10 ml/kg for periods of 21 and 30 days to the respective experimental groups. The FST was carried out 1 hour after the treatment on the 21st and 30th day.RESULTS: AMFJ applied for 21 days decreased significantly (p < 0,05) the immobility time in the FST at the doses of 2,5 ml/kg and 10 ml/kg. In rats treated with AMFJ for 30 days, the immobility time was dose-dependently decreased and at the dose of 10 ml/kg it was significantly lower (p < 0,05) than the control one.CONCLUSION: The decreased immobility time in the FST suggests an antidepressant-like effect of AMFJ in rats which could be due to the polyphenolic ingredients of the juice

Flavonoids and the liver—a review

INTRODUCTION: Liver diseases (hepatitis, steatosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma) are among the most common causes of disability and death worldwide. An accumulating body of evidence has established a relationship between the intake of polyphenol-rich foods and beverages and the lower incidence of liver diseases. Flavonoids are important ingredients in human diet.AIM: The aim or the present review article was to summarize the current knowledge about the effects of flavonoids on liver health and the mechanisms involved.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature in Pubmed, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect has been studied and analyzed.RESULTS: Flavonoids protect the liver from viral, toxic, drug-induced and obesity-associated liver damage, but the data are almost exclusively derived from animal studies. However, the number of clinical trials is insufficient and additional human studies are needed to confirm their effect in clinical practice.CONCLUSION: Analysis of the literature data from scientific databases showed promising hepatoprotective effects of flavonoids proved predominantly in experimental animal studies

Anxiolytic-like effect of Aronia Melanocarpa fruit juice applied Subchronically to rats

PURPOSE: The main biologically active constituents of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) are polyphenolics, amongst them proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and phenolic acids. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) on anxiety in subchronically treated (21 and 30 days) male Wistar rats utilizing the social interaction test.MATERIA AND METHODS: AMFJ was applied orally through an orogastric cannula once daily at doses of 2.5 ml/kg, 5 ml/kg and 10 ml/kg for periods of 21 and 30 days to the respective experimental groups. The social interaction test was carried out 1 hour after the treatment on the 21st and 30th day. The time of social interaction between the test partners was used as a measure of anxiety. The longer time for social contacts showed lower degree of anxiety.RESULTS: In rats treated with AMFJ for 21 days, the time of social contacts between the test partners increased dose-dependently and at the dose of 10 ml/kg it was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the control time. Applied for 30 days, AMFJ did not increase the time of social interaction between the rats which might be attributed to the fact that at such duration of treatment AMFJ could decrease the general locomotor activity of the animals.CONCLUSION: The findings from the present study suggest an anxiolytic-like effect of AMFJ in rats which could be due to its polyphenolic ingredients

Study of the Use of Products Containing Ginko Biloba Extract in Bulgaria for the Period 2011-2013

On the Bulgarian market, the products containing Ginkgo biloba extract are three categories - medicinal products (MP) and food supplements (FS), which are mono-products and combined products. The purpose of this study was to analyze the use of products containing Ginkgo biloba extract in Bulgaria for the period 2011-2013 and by a questionnaire method to study the practice of doctors to prescribe such products. The market research is done according to data from IMS Health and by interviews with doctors from the regions of Varna and Dobrich. The results from the study showed that in the years 2011-2013 there was an increase in the sale of products containing Ginkgo biloba extract, both in number of packs sold and in terms of value at a relatively unchanging average package price. In the study period, the greatest was the increase in the use of MP. The greatest was the market share of the combined FS. The predominant share of combined FS cuold be explained by the greater variety and number of these products. The four products with the greatest market share were combined FS. The survey showed that almost all physicians prescribe products containing Ginkgo biloba extract. The most prescribed and recommended are the combined FS. Most often Ginkgo biloba containing products are prescribed for disturbances in blood flow and memory in patients above the age of 60. Decisive in the choice of a product is the combination of efficacy, quality and price

Beneficial effects of polyphenols in metabolic syndrome—a review

INTRODUCTION: Polyphenols (PPs) are plant-derived chemical compounds bearing one or more phenolic rings. The most commonly presented dietary PPs include anthocyanins, flavonols, flavanols and phenolic acids. Studies have shown that polyphenols exert a variety of actions including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, cancer protective, cardioprotective, lipid-lowering, and glucose-lowering. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global health issue associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.AIM: The purpose of this paper is to summarize the current knowledge about the beneficial effects of different polyphenols on the clinical manifestations of metabolic syndrome.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature in PubMed, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect has been studied and analyzed.RESULTS: Most data about the beneficial effects of polyphenols is derived from preclinical studies. The clinical trials involving polyphenolic compounds in subjects with MetS are limited, comprise a small number of participants, and the duration is short.CONCLUSION: Numerous studies show promising effects of polyphenols in improving the biochemical and clinical abnormalities associated with metabolic syndrome but larger, more precise, better controlled clinical trials are necessary to reveal their benefits in clinical practice