[MORPHOMETRIC EVALUATION OF THE NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF THE EXTRACT OF ASTRAGALUS MEMBRANACEUS ON THE BRAIN OF RATS SUBJECTED TO IMMOBILIZATION STRESS].

The aim of the study was to analyze histological and morphometric changes in the brain of rats subjected to immobilization stress and to assess the neuroprotective effect of the extract of Astragalus membranaceus (AE). The work was carried out on Wistar rats that were divided into 3 groups (6 animals in each): group 1 ­ intact rats; group 2 ­ control animals subjected to immobilization stress for 18 h; group 3 ­ rats treated orally with AE (50 mg/kg) for 7 days and then subjected to immobilization stress. The level of stress-induced brain damage was assessed by a morphometric method, by measuring the proportions of morphologically intact neurons, hyperchromatic shrunken neurons and neurons with the signs of degeneration in layers III­V of the cerebral cortex and CA1 region of the hippocampus in the standard area of the section. Immobilization stress in rats led to a clearly pronounced neuronal damage in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. AE was found to limit the stress-induced neuronal damage in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus: the proportion of hyperchromatic shrunken neurons was reduced 3 and 4.6 times, respectively, compared to control.

Reproductive Health and Peculiarities of Lipid Peroxidation-Antioxidant Defense System in Men of the Main Ethnic Groups of the Baikal Region.

Quality of sperm and some parameters of LPO reflecting primary and end stages of oxidation and levels of α-tocopherol and total antioxidant activity were studied in ejaculate samples from 130 men (mean age of 24 years) living in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia Republic. All participants took a part in survey and were examined by an andrologist. The observed peculiarities of LPO and antioxidant defense in Russian men, such as decreased level of substrate supply for the processes of LPO and α-tocopherol, attest to specificity of metabolic processes and development of compensatory reactions of the organism under physiological conditions. LPO processes were more active in Buryat men, which can indicate exposure of cell membranes to toxic oxygen species. However, the observed in these patients significant increase in α-tocopherol concentration reflects adequate functioning of the adaptive and protective mechanisms of the body.

SERRATULA CENTAUROIDES L. AS A PROSPECTIVE ECDYSTEROID-CONTAINING PLANT. LITERATURE REVIEW / Монголын эм зүй, эм судлал

The information on Serratula centauroides L., a plant which accumulates plant ecdysteroids is given in the present paper. Taking into account pharmacological properties of ecdysteroids Serratula centauroides may be considered to be prospective raw material for the development of a new effective adaptogenic remedy. Key words: Ecdysteroids, Serratula centauroides L., adaptogenes At the present stage of social evolution there is noted the dramatic spread of so called “civilization diseases” connected with the bodily adaptation mechanisms depression of an individual who lives in the post-industrial society. In this connection the issues concerning the increase of non-specifi c resistance of the body with the use of pharmacological means – adaptogenes become more actual. The development of new adaptogenes from the plant material is the most prospective trend. The group of plant adaptogenes is rather large in number; since ancient times many of them were used in the traditional medicine as tonics. But mechanism of their effect remained uncertain for a long time. According to the modern concept biologically active substances responsible for pharmacological effect of plant adaptogenes are conditionally divided into three groups: phenolic compounds, tetracyclic triterpenoids (triterpene glycosides) and oxylipins. Many of these chemical compounds are structurally similar and their effect is the same as of endogenic mediators of bodily stress-realizing systems, such as sympatho-adrenal and hypotalamohypophysial- suprarenal ones. Nevertheless, there is a great number of other biologically active substances specifying adaptogenic properties of a plant. Plant ecdysteroids are related to such substances; structurally they are close to true hormones of insects molting; they are contained in all plants but their concentrations vary signifi cantly – 8-9 orders [1]. Physiological effects of ecdysteroids are rather diverse. They regulate mineral, carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism. Also they promote the normalization of the blood sugar and cholesterol levels; they are able to duplicate the effect of vitamin D3 showing the anti-rickets effect. Being the ligands for intracellular and membrane receptors they are capable to change homeostasis infl uencing the growth, differentiation and apoptosis of cells [2, 3, 4]. Pharmacological studies on ecdysteroids have revealed their awareness-inducing and tonic effects as well as anti-ulcer, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic and hemoreological, anti-infl ammatory and hypocholesterolemic properties [5]. Also the data on the inhibition of sarcoma cell growth and other malignant growth are available. Their use in composition of wound-healing and antimicrobial preparations is assumed to be prospective [6]. Recently there has been developed a technology for the use of ecdysteroids in the management of growth and development processes in the organisms. Moreover, their immune modulating effect is known, in particular they increase the activity of elements in the blood protective system – lymphocytes and neutrophils [3] and promote phagocytosis functions. They have anticonvulsant effect in spontaneous epilepsy. They stimulate erythropoiesis, accelerate regeneration and increase erythrocyte and hemoglobin concentration in the blood. Acetates and 20-hydroxyecdysone derivatives stimulated DNA biosynthesis in human and animal lymphocytes. Preventive and therapeutic effects of plant ecdysteroids in induced anemia and leucopenia have been revealed in the treatment of miscarriage danger, disturbances of sexual functions and climacteric syndrome caused by age-related changes in the regulation of reproductive cycle [7].