Comparative Component Composition of Flowers in Several Syringa Species (Oleaceae).

Because insufficient relevant data are available, the component composition of flowers was studied comparatively in six lilac species of the genus Syringa L. (Oleaceae): S. emodi Wall., S. josikaea Jacg., S. komarowii Schneid., S. reticulata (Blume) H. Hara ssp. amurensis (Rupr.) P. S. Green et M. C. Chang, S. sweginzowii Koehne et Lingelsh, and S. vulgaris L. Plants were from the collection of the South Ural Botanical Garden-Institute. Contents were established for major groups of biologically active substances (BASs): flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, tannins, and organic acids. The highest contents of all BAS groups were observed in S. komarowii flowers: flavonoids, 4.25 ± 0.21%; hydroxycinnamic acids, 6.13 ± 0.29%; tannins, 9.3 ± 0.5%; ascorbic acid, 0.468 ± 0.022%; and organic acids, 10.7 ± 0.5%. The contents were somewhat lower in S. emodi and S. sweginzowii and minimum in S. josikaea. Comparisons of the qualitative and quantitative BAS profiles showed that certain Syringa species cultivated in the Republic of Bashkortostan are promising to further study in terms of their possible use in scientific medicine and the development of herbal remedies.

The Influence of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides of Crataegus sanguinea Pall. on Nitric Oxide Production by Macrophages.

The in vitro addition of water-soluble polysaccharides isolated from the leaves of Crataegus sanguinea Pall. to culture of mouse peritoneal macrophages induced classical activation of antigen-presenting cells by increasing NO synthase activity and reducing arginase expression.

Study of Immunotropic Properties of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides Isolated from Conium maculatum Grass.

Addition of water-soluble polysaccharides isolated from Conium maculatum L. to the mouse peritoneal macrophage culture induces classical activation of antigen-presenting cells due to an increase in NO synthase activity and a decrease in arginase expression.