[BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE ALKALOIDS FROM RHIZOMES WITH ROOTS OF VINCA HERBACEA WALDST. ET KIT, GROWING IN GEORGIA].

Roots and rhizomes of Vinca herbacea Waldst. et Kit, were collected during early flowering and fruiting. Рhenophases biologically active substances I and II were obtained by liquid-liquid extraction. Dominant alkaloids: tabersonin, reserpine, maidine, norfluorocurarin and copsinin were obtained after the dispertion in citrare-phosfhate buffer and subsequent TLC. Accelerated restitution of granulocytopoiesis was observed in mice during both irradiation and myelotoxic drug-induced acute leucopenia. Increase in total WBC over 200% was observed after treatment by substance I in drug-induced leucopenia model (fivefold oral administration) and over 130% after treatment by substance I in irradiate mice (fivefold intraperitoneal administration). Morphological and anatomical structures of the underground organs of V. herbacea have been studied. The main microstructural characteristics are revealed - Rhizomes are characterized by coutinized epidermis, lamellar collenchyma, fibers and the texture of the vascular system of a monocyclic structure. The root system shows the whole cortex, the endoderm with Kaspar spots; the outer, radially continuous phloem tissue is located in the conducting system and distinguishes the cylindrical xylem tissue with annular and spiral-circular blood vessels.

[ANTISEIZURE ACTIVITY OF C EPHALARIA GIGANTEA ROOT EXTRACT].

Antiseizure activity of Cephalaria gigantea root extract was studied using PTZ- and/or audiogenic seizure models in outbred Wistar and inbred Krouchinsky- Molodkina rats respectively. In PTZ - model onset of tonic- clonic seizures, latencies to the beginning of the seizure activity, and mortality, and similarly in audiogenic seizures behavioral convulsive reactions , facial automatisms and latency to wild running were evaluated. The extract is used traditionally in Georgian folk medicine as anticonvulsant drug. In this study it was evidenced experimentally that extract demonstrates anticonvulsant properties as in both model, as in both routs of administration - peroral and intraperitoneal. Extract appeared most effective in case of preliminary repetitive administration: in PTZ model seizures were eliminated in 9 of 10 animals, and in audiogenic model convulsive response was no more observable during 7 days of treatment termination. It was found also that sedative properties are characteristic of this antiseizure extract according to the sleeping prolongation in barbiturate treated mice. Safety of the extract was evaluated in toxicological acute and chronic experiments, and consequently it is considered a substance of moderate general toxicity.