Tannins as Hemostasis Modulators

The hemostasis system is often affected by complications associated with cardiovascular diseases, which results in thromboembolic events. Compounds of plant origin and plant extracts are considered as a promising source of substances that could modulate the functioning of the hemostasis system and thus reduce the risk of thromboembolism. Among them, tannins, which are plant-origin compounds with potential effects in hemostasis, deserve a special mention. This paper describes the hemostasis-modifying ability of three groups of tannins, namely ellagitannins, gallotannins, and procyanidins. The review highlights the desirable as well as undesirable influence of tannins on specific components of hemostasis, namely platelets, coagulation system, fibrinolysis system, and endothelium, and the multidirectional effect of these compounds on the thrombotic process. Studies performed under normal and pathological conditions such as diabetes or hypercoagulation are described, and the pathophysiology-dependent action of tannins is also highlighted. Most of the studies presented in the paper were performed in vitro, and due to the low bioavailability of tannins more studies should be conducted in the future to understand their actual activity in vivo.

Biodegradable Composites with Functional Properties Containing Biopolymers

There is a major focus on natural biopolymers of bacterial, animal, or plant origin as ecological materials, replacing petrochemical products. Biologically derived polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) possess interesting properties, but they are currently too expensive for most applications. Therefore, researchers try to find other biopolymers that are both durable and cheap enough to replace plastics in some applications. One possible candidate is gelatin, which can be transformed into a thin, translucent film that is flexible and has stable and high mechanical properties. Here, we present a method of synthesizing a composite material from gelatin. For preparation of such material, we used gelatin of animal origin (pig skin) with the addition of casein, food gelatin, glycerin, and enzymes as biocatalysts of chemical modification and further extraction of gelatin from collagen. Compositions forming films with homogeneous shapes and good mechanical properties were selected (Tensile strength reaches 3.11 MPa, while the highest value of elongation at break is 97.96%). After administering the samples to microbial scaring, the composites completely decomposed under the action of microorganisms within 30 days, which proves their biodegradation.

Medicinal Plants

Medicines of plant origin have been used for treating humans and animals without any adverse effects. New medicinal plants are searched to develop more effective and cheaper drugs in place of synthetics drugs. Plants represent a large natural source of compounds that might serve for the development of novel drugs. Currently medicinal herbs are researched for diuretic properties, and several medicinal herbs are used as diuretics. Currently various synthetic medicines are available for this purpose; however, natural resource medicines are still an important choice because of their higher efficiency and better safety. Further, some herbs are also important sources of antioxidants, which protect the body from the effects of free radicals produced in the body. Antioxidants are required by our body due to increase in the likely exposure of the body to harmful pollutants, radiation, UV lights, etc. These have the ability to delay the oxidation, and plant-derived products are of great interest due to the adverse effect of antibiotics.

Study of caffeine and coumarin extraction kinetics in an aqueous two-phase system based on polyethylene glycol 1500

Caffeine and coumarin are organic compounds of plant origin, which have biological activity and have found wide application in medicine, pharmaceutical, perfumery and food industries. Recovery of caffeine and coumarin from aqueous solutions using liquid-liquid extraction is the most effective method. In the present work the kinetic dependences of caffeine and coumarin in the aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) of PEG 1500 - Na2SO4 - H2O were experimentally obtained. It was established that equilibrium in the system is achieved after 17 minutes for caffeine and after 12 minutes for coumarin. The effect of ultrasound on the extraction rate of caffeine and coumarin in an aqueous two-phase system was also studied.

FLOW OF SACBROOD DISEASE IN CREATION OF INFERTILE PERIOD AT BEE COLONIES IN COMPARISON WITH THE USE OF PROBIOTIC «APINORMIN», NANOSIZED CERIUM DIOXIDE, PLANT ORIGIN PREPARATION «NI NU NA»

На бджолиних сім’ях, уражених мішечкуватим розплодом, визначено ефективність безрозплідного періоду порівняно з обробленням сімей пробіотиком «Апінорміном» (4%), нано-розмірним діоксидом церію («Нано-СеО2») (0,5%), препаратом рослинного походження «Ні Ну На» (1%), діючою речовиною якого є витяжка з виноградних кісточок. Установлено, що жоден із випробуваних препаратів не мав лікувального ефекту за мішечкуватого розплоду. Ефективним заходом виявилося створення у хворих сім’ях безрозплідного періоду на термін виведення нових маток. Оскільки аналогічні дані ми отримали раніше за аскосферозу та мішечкуватого розплоду, то цей технологічний прийом можна рекомендувати при більшості інфекційних захворювань розплоду у бджіл. Ключові слова: бджолині сім’ї, мішечкуватий розплід, безрозплідний період, пробіотик «Апінормін», нано-розмірний діоксид церію («Нано-СеО2»), препарат рослинного походження «Ні Ну На».

Bromelain and Nisin: The Natural Antimicrobials with High Potential in Biomedicine

Infectious diseases along with various cancer types are among the most significant public health problems and the leading cause of death worldwide. The situation has become even more complex with the rapid development of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. New drugs are urgently needed to curb the increasing spread of diseases in humans and livestock. Promising candidates are natural antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria, and therapeutic enzymes, extracted from medicinal plants. This review highlights the structure and properties of plant origin bromelain and antimicrobial peptide nisin, along with their mechanism of action, the immobilization strategies, and recent applications in the field of biomedicine. Future perspectives towards the commercialization of new biomedical products, including these important bioactive compounds, have been highlighted.

Determination of individual coumarin in a dry extract of Melilotus officinalis L.

Introduction. Substances of plant origin exhibit a variety of pharmacological activity in combination with a relatively low toxicity and frequency of side effects. In this regard, a promising direction is the standardization of substances of plant origin in the development of new herbal medicinal products.Aim. Qualitative and quantitative determination of individual coumarin in a dry extract of Melilotus оfficinalis L.Materials and methods. A dry extract of the Melilotus officinalis L. was used as an object of research. Determination of individual coumarin was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography.Results and discussion. As a result of the research, coumarin was identified by high performance liquid chromatography based on comparison of retention times of the sample with retention times of a standard sample of coumarin in the sample of dry extract under research. The coumarin contents in the dry extract was 0.642 ± 0.007 %.Conclusion. The data obtained on the qualitative and quantitative content of coumarin in the dry extract of Melilotus оfficinalis L. were used in the development of the draft version specification of quality indicators.