The comparison of anti-oxidative kinetics in vitro of the fluid extract from maidenhair tree, motherwort and hawthorn.

The aim of the study was to perform a quantitative analysis of fluid extracts of maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba L.), motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca L.) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.), to evaluate their antioxidant activity and to compare their ability to inactivate free radicals. The antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH*and the ABTS*+ radical scavenging reaction systems. The study showed that the manifestation of the radical scavenging capacity in the DPPH* reaction system was in the following order: the fluid extract of hawthorn (70.37 +/- 0.80%) > the fluid extract of maidenhair tree (82.63 +/- 0.23%) > the fluid extract of motherwort (84.89 +/- 0.18%), while in the ABTS*+ reaction system, the manifestation of the radical scavenging capacity was in the following order: the fluid extract of hawthorn (87.09 +/- 0.55%) > the fluid extract of motherwort (88.28 +/- 1.06%) > the fluid extract of maidenhair tree (88.39 +/- 0.72%). The results showed that in the DPPH* reaction system, fluid extract of motherwort manifested higher antioxidant activity, compared to the fluid extracts of maidenhair tree and hawthorn. By contrast, in the ABTS*+ reaction system, higher antioxidant activity was found in the fluid extract of maidenhair tree, compared to the fluid extracts of motherwort and hawthorn. This would suggest that preparations manufactured from these herbal raw materials could be used as effective preventive means and valuable additional remedies in the treatment of diseases caused by oxidative stress.

Fast disintegrating tablets containing Rhodiola rosea L. extract.

Tablets with 250 mg of Rhodiola rosea L. extract disintegrating in less than 10 min were developed. The influence of the extract content and type of fillers and disintegrants on disintegration time and tablet hardness was evaluated. Type of the filler and the extract/filler ratio but not the type of disintegrant determined fast disintegration of the tablets. It was demonstrated that the extract:filler ratio lower than 1:1.5 enables preparation of tablets with the required disintegration time. The tablets containing microcrystalline cellulose as a filler, povidone as a binder and crospovidone as a disintegrant were stable during 6 months storage at 25 degrees C/60% RH, however, due to the decrease of hardness they did not pass the stability test at 40 degrees C/75% RH.

Evaluation of biologically active compounds in roots and rhizomes of Rhodiola rosea L. cultivated in Lithuania.

Salidroside and rosavins (rosavin, rosarin, and rosin), biologically active compounds of Rhodiola rosea L., were analyzed in dried roots and rhizomes of the plants cultivated in Lithuania and naturally growing in Altai geographical region in Russian Federation. The quantitative analysis of the aqueous-ethanolic extracts prepared by percolation was performed employing solid-phase extraction and thin-layer chromatography followed by densitometric determination. Similar amounts of salidroside were found in the extracts (1.35-1.62 mg/mL), irrespective of the origin of the crude plant; however, the differences in the profile of rosavins were substantial with higher content of total rosavins in the extracts obtained from the plant cultivated in Lithuania (7.4 vs. 4.2 mg/mL). It was demonstrated that extracts prepared with 70% (v/v) ethanol contained low concentration of salidroside (0.16-0.17 mg/mL), while the extraction of rosavins with 70% (v/v) ethanol was more efficient compared to 40% (v/v) ethanol.

[Experimental analysis of therapeutic properties of Rhodiola rosea L. and its possible application in medicine]. / Eksperimentiniai augalo Rhodiola rosea L. gydomuju savybiu tyrimai ir galimas jo pritaikymas medicinoje.

The paper presents a review of the scientific publications on Rhodiola rosea L. known for its adaptogenic characteristics. Biologically active substances salidroside, rosin, rosavin, rosarin and tyrosol, which are mainly found in plant rhizomes, demonstrate therapeutic effect. These active components effect the central nervous system by increasing the ability to concentrate, the mental and physical power; they are efficient in the asthenic states and improve general resistance of the cells and the organism against the harmful outer influence. They also prevent the heart system from stress and arrhythmias, and posses some antioxidant activity. Some data confirm that the Rhodiola rosea L. preparations stop the growth of the malignant tumors and metastases in the liver. Some preclinical and clinical data of the golden root preparations are discussed in the survey. The interaction of the herb with other medicines, its usage and effect, recommended doses, and its side effects are also reviewed in the paper.

[Production of galenic preparations from primrose]. / Galeniniu vaistu is primula veris gamyba.

Pharmaceutical herbal preparations have been used for the treatment of respiratory diseases for a long time. Alongside with the well known herbs, there are many of crude drugs to be investigated and applied in therapeutics. Respiratory diseases are mainly treated by chemical medicines and antibiotics. The use of herbal preparations is limited and they are usually used as supplemental ones. Application of modern research techniques, the new data on biochemical processes in plants, chemical compounds and information on their value in therapy were obtained. The pharmacological effect of the compounds could be foreseen from their chemical structure. The development of rational technology of pharmaceutical preparations follows the identification of active constituents in pharmaceutical herbs. The proper use of pharmaceutical herbs supplies the organism with the natural substances, thus preventing various diseases. The primrose dried raw material for use in production of pharmaceutical preparations has been analyzed and its quality was evaluated. The dry primrose extract was produced and tested, and later it was used in development of pharmaceutical preparations. The liquid primrose extract and two compositions of primrose syrup were developed. The stability of experimental preparations was evaluated.