Annals of Mechnikov's Institute

National AIDS Control Organisation - National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, India: Should they go hand in hand?

Kriti Gupta — 2026-03-10

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) comprise the major burden of infectious disease in resource-limited countries. In the individual host, the two pathogens, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV, potentiate one another, accelerating the deterioration of immunological functions. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare prevalence of HIV infection in two cohorts of patients: First, people who sought help on their own (client initiated) as well as those who were referred by a doctor or health care provider (provider initiated) coming to Sampoorna Suraksha Kendra (SSK). Second, Among all patients referred from National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and hence to assess whether linking of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) with NTEP is a useful government policy or not. Co-morbidities among HIV positive patients were also studied. Methods: A seven-month (April 2024 to October 2024) document review was done on 6880 patients (including both client initiated as well as provider initiated) who came to SSK. These patients included 1072 patients referred from NTEP. Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 20 software. Results: HIV incidence among all 6880 screened patients in SSK was 0.97% (67patients). After excluding in-referrals from NTEP (1072 patients), 1.03% (60 patients)were HIV positive.Among 4S (cough, fever, weight loss and/or night sweats) symptomatic patients referred from NTEP (i.e. 1072 patients), 0.65% (7patients) were HIV positive. Although 13.2% (7 out of 53 patients) pulmonary TB positive patients which were referred from NTEP were also found to be HIV positive. Conclusion: In-referral of TB positive patients from NTEP for HIV screening is a useful government policy but referral of all patients (i.e. both TB positive and TB negative) from NTEP should be re-considered.

Current trends and prospects in the development of pharmaceutical compositions with prolonged action based on poly(lactide-co-glicolide): a literature review

Viktoriia Lyzhniuk — 2026-03-10

The development of prolonged-action drugs is a relevant and promising area of modern pharmaceutical science and practice. One of the best polymer carriers for creating prolonged-release dosage forms is considered to be poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and controllable physicochemical properties. The aim of the work is to systematically analyze the scientific literature on the use of poly (polylactide-co-glycolide) in the development of prolonged-action pharmaceutical compositions, including the characterization of the physicochemical properties of the polymer, research on the range of drugs based on it, a review of methods for their production, and the identification of promising areas for further scientific research. The research methodology was based on a comprehensive analytical review of scientific papers published in journals indexed in the international scientometric databases Scopus and Web of Science, as well as those presented in the specialized PubMed database. The work uses methods of critical analysis, information structuring, comparative data evaluation, and generalization of results. This work presents an analytical literature review on the use of PLGA polymer carriers for the development of pharmaceutical compositions with controlled and prolonged release of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The methods of synthesis and physicochemical properties of PLGA are characterized, and the key factors affecting polymer degradation are identified. A comprehensive analysis of the pharmaceutical market for PLGA-based drugs is performed. Various types of PLGA-based injectable pharmaceutical compositions are characterized, namely systems based on polymer microspheres and gels that form an in situ implant after subcutaneous administration, including an analysis of the mechanisms of API release from these forms. Modern promising methods for obtaining PLGA microspheres with prolonged API release are described, in particular emulsification, coacervation, spray drying, supercritical fluids, and microfluidic technologies. The properties of gels that form in situ implants are characterized, including phase inversion mechanisms and factors affecting the kinetics of API release. The main difficulties in the development of PLGA-based pharmaceutical compositions are identified, in particular, the problem of initial rapid API release, the lack of standardized methods for assessing the kinetics of active substance release, and the influence of polymer property variability on the reproducibility of the characteristics of finished dosage forms. The results of the study emphasize the effectiveness of using PLGA as a polymer carrier for the creation of highly effective prolonged-action drugs used to treat a wide range of diseases. The key tasks for future scientific research are to develop and validate standardized methods for studying the kinetics of active substance release, and to evaluate the effectiveness of PLGA systems using correlations between in vitro and in vivo studies. In addition, the creation of unified approaches to quality control of production processes remains a relevant area of focus in order to ensure the reproducibility and stability of innovative pharmaceutical compositions based on PLGA.

Changes in the etiology of candidiasis: analysis of the detection frequency of Candida spp. among patients with inflammatory respiratory diseases in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine (2019–2021)

Yuliya Shevchenko — 2026-03-10

In clinical practice, invasive mycoses are becoming increasingly important due to the increase in morbidity in the world, the rapid spread of resistant strains and a critical shortage of new antifungal drugs. The leading etiological role in the development of mycotic infections belongs to fungi of the genus Candida, among which the species Candida albicans remains traditionally dominant, however, the epidemiological picture of candidiasis is gradually changing due to the increase in the proportion of the Candida non-albicans group in mycotic pathology. The aim of this study was to study the prevalence and species structure of clinically significant isolates of Candida spp. circulating among patients with inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract - residents of the city of Kharkiv and the Kharkiv community (Ukraine). Materials and methods. Over a three-year observation period (from 2019 to 2021), the authors conducted a microbiological study of clinical material (samples from the oropharyngeal mucosa) from 1,150 people with inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract. Laboratory diagnostics included a standard set of mycological methods, and final identification and testing for antifungal susceptibility were performed using the automated Vitek2 Compact system. Results and discussion. The results obtained indicate an increasing persistence of Candida spp. in the observation groups from 3.7% in 2019, to 4% in 2020 and 5.7% in 2021. In the non-albicans group, the species Candida krusei dominated – 6.9%, other Candida species were isolated significantly less frequently: C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. kefyr – 4.3%, 3.4%, 2.6%, respectively. The susceptibility profile of the recovered isolates to itraconazole, fluconazole and voriconazole was studied: Candida non-albicans strains demonstrated increased resistance to itraconazole (42.8%) and voriconazole (57.2%), while C. albicans isolates were characterized by higher levels of fluconazole resistance (31.6%). Analysis of the obtained results allows predicting a further increase in infectious complications caused by Candida among patients with inflammatory processes of the respiratory tract, which may require mandatory laboratory monitoring and correction of therapeutic treatment in order to prevent the occurrence of invasive candidiasis.

Medical Technologies: Pharmaceutical Cosmetology, Cosmeceuticals – Opportunities and Limitations

Viktoriia Shapovalova — 2026-03-10

Introduction. Pharmaceutical cosmetology is an interdisciplinary field at the junction of pharmacy, dermatology, and aesthetic medicine. The active development of cosmeceuticals is associated with the growing demand for products that combine a cosmetic effect with a biological effect on the skin. At the same time, the lack of a single regulatory status and mandatory randomized clinical trials creates several scientific and legal challenges. Purpose. To analyze the possibilities and limitations of cosmeceuticals in pharmaceutical cosmetology from the standpoint of modern medical technologies, evidence-based medicine, and pharmaceutical care. Methods. A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA protocol using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases for 2015–2026. Out of 1243 publications, 62 sources with evidence levels I–II according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine were selected after screening. Results. The article summarizes modern technological platforms of cosmeceuticals, including nanoemulsions, liposomes, multiple emulsions, and probiotic complexes, which increase the bioavailability of active ingredients by 3-5 times. The main groups of cosmeceutical active ingredients and their clinical efficacy in photoaging, acne, hyperpigmentation and alopecia are systematized. The importance of pharmaceutical care and consulting algorithms for increasing the safety of cosmeceutical use is shown. The prospects for personalized cosmeceuticals based on genetic tests and artificial intelligence are identified. Regulatory gaps in the USA, EU and Ukraine are outlined. Conclusions. Cosmeceuticals are a promising direction of integration of pharmacy, dermatology, and digital technologies, which demonstrates proven effectiveness in mild forms of dermatoses and prevention of photoaging. Further development requires standardization of the term, development of national regulatory approaches and implementation of pharmacovigilance systems.

Differential Diagnostic and Therapeutic Tactics of Pleurisy in Pancreatitis and Hepatitis: ABC and ABC/VED Analysis of Pathogenetic Pharmacotherapy

Oleksandr Nevzghoda — 2026-03-10

Introduction. Pleurisy associated with pancreatitis and liver diseases is accompanied by malabsorption and deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins, which justifies the use of vitamin pathogenetic pharmacotherapy. At the same time, the structure of the pharmaceutical market of vitamin drugs may not meet real clinical needs, which requires pharmacoeconomic assessment. Purpose. Clinical and pharmaceutical justification of the use of vitamin pharmacotherapy in patients with exudative pleurisy on the background of pancreatitis and hepatitis based on the analysis of the frequency of prescriptions and integrated ABC/VED-analysis of the range of drugs. Materials and methods. A retrospective observational study of 398 patients with exudative pleurisy who underwent inpatient treatment was conducted. The frequency of prescribing vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K as part of complex pharmacotherapy was analyzed. The pharmaceutical analysis included a study of the range of vitamin drugs registered in Ukraine using structural ABC analysis, clinically oriented ABC analysis by frequency of prescriptions and VED classification. Results. Established that the range of fat-soluble vitamins is represented by 19 drugs, among which vitamin E drugs dominate (68.42% of positions). Clinical analysis showed that vitamin E was the most frequently prescribed active pharmaceutical ingredient in patients with pancreatogenic and hepatogenic pleurisy. Integrated ABC/VED analysis identified vitamin E drugs as the priority category AV, while vitamin D and vitamin A formed the BE group, and vitamin K - the CD group. A discrepancy between the structure of the pharmaceutical market and the real clinical need was revealed, which indicates the duplication of trade names of vitamin E preparations.

Comparative study of the elemental composition of leaves of common lilac varieties amethyst and Nadia

Andrii Popyk — 2026-03-10

Introduction. Macro- and microelements are important and valuable components of the general homeostatic system of the human body, which are vital for regulating the activity of all organs and systems. The functional significance and biological value of macro- and microelements is manifested at all levels of life: cellular, molecular, subcellular, tissue, and also at the level of the whole organism. They ensure the activation of most of the body's enzyme systems, promote the stimulation of tissue respiration processes, activate energy metabolism and hematopoiesis processes, influence immune responses, the synthesis of biologically active compounds and various hormones, metabolism of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and correct various free radical processes in the human body. The most valuable elements are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus. Sodium is necessary for the transport of amino acids and glucose to the body's cells, maintains osmotic balance in cells, and ensures a stable blood pH level, nerve impulse conduction, and heart muscle contraction. Potassium is equally important, as it regulates and maintains normal blood pressure and supports a stable heart rhythm. Potassium plays an important role in various physiological reactions, and its deficiency or excessive concentration can affect human health. Calcium activates enzymes such as pancreatic lipase and the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Magnesium is important for enzymatic reactions in the human body and the metabolism of nutrients. It ensures the transmission of nerve impulses and maintains a constant body temperature. Due to its ability to form reversible chelate-like bonds with organic substances, magnesium ensures the course of numerous biochemical reactions. Mg²+ is an intracellular cation, second in abundance only to K⁺, and is found mainly in mitochondria, the nucleus, and ribosomes. Up to 90% of intracellular Mg²+ is bound to ATP, so ATP levels are one of the main factors limiting its reserves. Mg²+ ions are part of 13 metalloproteins and over 300 enzymes. Mg²+ performs a number of important functions in the body: it participates in the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins, promotes the formation of fats (synthesis of lipoprotein complexes on ribosomes), and regulates the balance of triacylglycerols and high- and low-density lipoproteins. Ferrum is an essential component of myoglobin, hemoglobin, and a number of enzymes that play an important role in the oxidation of red blood cells, as well as ensuring the functioning of the nervous system and preventing the development of anemia in the body. Zinc ensures the stable activity of various enzymes (carbonic anhydrase, RNA polymerase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and alkenyl phosphatase). A lack of zinc in the diet can be the main cause of delayed puberty, hair loss, impaired wound healing, and emotional disorders. Phosphorus is one of the most important elements responsible for fetal development, sperm production, and proper immune response, and is also a component of more than 240 enzymes. A significant phosphorus deficiency in the body is accompanied by complex dysfunction of all organs and systems. In the human body, depending on their quantity, all elements are conditionally divided into macronutrients (Cl, P, Mg, K, Na, Ca), whose quantitative content ranges from 10% to 0.001% of body weight, and microelements (Ge, B, Cr, Sn, Zn, F, I, Co, Si, Li, Mn, Cu, Mo, Ni, Se, V, Fe), whose concentration ranges from 0.001% to 0.000001% of body weight. Macro- and microelements, without which various physiological processes in the body are impossible, are called essential (calcium, selenium, zinc, iron, chromium, copper, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, cobalt). That is why the search for new plant sources promising in terms of macro- and microelement content is a relevant direction of phytochemical research. Common lilac and its varieties cultivated in Ukraine can be rich in various elements, as they contain valuable biologically active compounds (iridoids, lignans, flavonoids, tannins, eleutherosides, essential oil, etc.). The aim of the study is to investigate the macro- and microelement composition of leaves of common lilac varieties Amethyst and Nadia to determine their potential as sources of macro- and microelements. Materials and methods. The object of the study was the leaves of common lilac varieties Amethyst and Nada, harvested in the botanical garden of the National University of Pharmacy, dried by convection and powdered. The obtained powders were used to determine the qualitative composition and quantitative content of mineral compounds by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results and discussion. The leaves of common lilac varieties Amethyst and Nadia contain 18 macro- and microelements, dominated by potassium (3330.00-3200.00 μg/100 g), magnesium (550.00-500.00 μg/100 g), calcium (1000.00–985.00 μg/100 g), and silicon (440.00-400.0 μg/100 g). Among the microelements in the studied varieties of common lilac, nickel (0.45-0.30 μg/100 g), molybdenum, and lead (<0.03 μg/100 g) were found in the smallest amounts. The concentration of heavy metals such as cobalt, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury was within the maximum permissible limits, which fully complies with the requirements of the State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine for plant raw materials. Conclusions. The content of micro- and macroelements in the leaves of common lilac varieties Amethyst and Nadia was studied using atomic emission spectroscopy. The raw material studied showed an accumulation of 18 elements, which varied slightly in terms of quantitative content, with a predominance in the leaves of the Amethyst variety. In terms of content, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and silicon predominated in both varieties studied. Given that potassium accounted for more than 50% of the total mineral content, common lilac leaves can be used as a promising source of medicinal products for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Characteristics of Balms (Balsams) as drugs and cosmetics. Analysis of domestic pharmaceutical market

Mariana Fedorovska — 2026-03-10

The aim of the study. Data systematization of Ukrainian regulatory documents regarding the definition of Balms (Balsams) as medicinal and cosmetic remedies, their classification, formulation peculiarities and application; study of the domestic market of drugs and cosmetics distributed in the dosage form of Balms (Balsams). Materials and Methods. The data sources included the publications of domestic and foreign scientists, the State Register of Medicinal Products of Ukraine, the Compendium reference book, mobile application tabletki.ua. Information-analytical and marketing research methods were used. Results. "Balsams" as plants raw materials, are a type of oleoresins containing solutions of diterpenes in benzoic and/or cinnamic acids and their esters, namely: balsam of Peru, balsam of Tolu, benzoin, storax. They have a long history of applications in medicine, aromatherapy and cosmetology. An analysis of the nomenclature, composition of APIs and excipients, as well as the medical use of registered drugs in the dosage form "balm", and those drugs that use the term "balm" in their trade name was conducted. We have proposed terms to define “Balms for oral application” and “Balms for cutaneous application”. The definition, expanded classification, formulation ingredients of cosmetic balms for various functional purposes are provided. Conclusions. Today in Ukraine there are no valid regulatory documents regulating the definition and quality control of both medicinal and cosmetic Balms (Balsames). However, on the pharmaceutical and, especially, on the cosmetic market, drugs and cosmetic products called Balsames (Balms) are widely represented. All medical and cosmetic Balms regardless of their functions contain complex of active plant ingredients and cause intense action on the skin, their appendages or whole body.

Дослідження вмісту гідроксикоричних кислот у моркви коренеплодах у залежності від терміну їх зберігання

Iryna Zhuravel — 2026-03-10

Introduction. Carrot (Daucus carota L.) from the Celery family (Apiaceae) is cultivated in many countries of the world as a vegetable crop. Carrot root crops are consumed fresh and processed. In Ukraine, the varieties of this crop Yaskrava, Nantska Kharkivska, Olenka are mainly grown, which are included in the State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Distribution in Ukraine. Carrots are root vegetables with high nutritional, therapeutic and prophylactic value and the possibility of long-term storage. The chemical composition of root crops is represented by phenolic compounds, in particular flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, tannins, steroids, triterpenoids, polyacetylenes, carbohydrates, vitamins and provitamins, mineral complexes. Phenolic compounds, in particular hydroxycinnamic acids, deserve special attention. These substances exhibit antioxidant, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anticancer activity, improve digestion, cardiovascular and nervous system functions. Therefore, hydroxycinnamic acids are valuable nutrients of carrot, a root crops, due to which this raw material is a useful food and therapeutic and prophylactic product. The study of the content of biologically active hydroxycinnamic acids depending on the primary processing of the raw material and its storage period is relevant. The aim of the work was to determine the quantitative content of hydroxycinnamic acids in carrot root crops of the Yaskrava, Nantska Kharkivska and Olenka varieties depending on their storage period. Materials and methods. The objects of the study were carrot root crops of the varieties Yaskrava, Nantska Kharkivska, Olenka. The raw materials were harvested at the end of October 2025 in the Kharkiv region (Ukraine). After harvesting, the root crops were separated from the above-ground part, washed in cold water, dried, small roots were removed and stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of +7-8 °C for 3 months. For the experiment with fresh carrot root crops, samples were taken after 1, 2 and 3 months of storage, the raw materials were cut with a knife into strips measuring 1.0´0.5 cm and dried in a drying cabinet at a temperature of 45-50 °C. The content of hydroxycinnamic acids was determined by spectrophotometric method according to the method of the national part of the monograph "Nettle Leaves" of the State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine 2.0.3. The results obtained were processed by the method of mathematical statistics. Results and discussion. According to the literature, it is known that technological processing of carrot root crops causes stress and stimulates the accumulation of hydroxycinnamic acids. We investigated minimally technologically processed raw materials of three varieties of carrots, which are mainly cultivated in Ukraine. As a result of the research, it was found that during the first month of storage of carrot root crops of all studied varieties, an increase in the content of hydroxycinnamic acids was observed several times, which did not contradict the literature data. The record holder for the accumulation of hydroxycinnamic acids in the underground organs of carrot after the first month of storage was the Nantska Kharkivska variety (2.66 ± 0.05 %). In root crops of the Yaskrava variety, the content of the studied compounds increased by 3.5 times, in the Nantska Kharkivska variety - by 3.8, and in the Olenka variety - by 3.6 times. During further storage of carrot root crops, the content of hydroxycinnamic acids decreased slightly. After 2 months, the content of hydroxycinnamic acids in raw carrot raw materials of the Yaskrava variety decreased within the deviation limits, after 3 months - by 0.13 ± 0.01 %. Root crops of the Nantska Kharkivska variety lost 3.76 % of hydroxycinnamic acids in the 2nd month of storage, and 6.77 % in the 3rd month compared to the 1st month. In raw carrot variety Olenka, the decrease in the content of the studied phenolic acids was 6.57 % in the 2nd month and 13.13% in the 3rd month of storage. The decrease in the content of hydroxycinnamic acids in carrot root crops at 3 months of storage compared to 2 months for all studied varieties was insignificant. Conclusions. As a result of determining the quantitative content of hydroxycinnamic acids in carrot root crops of the Yaskrava, Nantska Kharkivska and Olenka varieties, an increase in the content of these compounds in the studied raw material by 3.5-3.8 times was found after 1 month and a slight decrease in their content after 2 and 3 months of root crop storage at a temperature of +7-8 °C. Therefore, carrot root crops of the studied domestic varieties of selection can be a useful source of nutrients necessary for the human body, in particular hydroxycinnamic acids, during long-term storage, which will certainly improve the quality of nutrition of the broad population of our country.

Study of the Knautia arvensis herb carbohydrate composition

Vladyslav Burlaka — 2026-03-10

Introduction. Knautia arvensis is a perennial Eurasian medicinal plant widely distributed in Europe, Ukraine, also found in regions of northwestern Africa and Asia. The identification and investigation of the quantitative content of polysaccharides (PS) in Knautia arvensis herb represent a relevant and timely research direction. Objective. Comparative determination of the quantitative content of polysaccharide fractions in Knautia arvensis herb, including water-soluble polysaccharides (WSPs), pectic substances (PS), and hemicelluloses (HC) A and B from different growth locations—Kharkiv and Vinnytsia regions—and identification and quantification of the monosaccharide composition of each polysaccharide fraction are the main aims of the study. Materials and methods. The object of the study was the aerial parts of Knautia arvensis, which were harvested in the Kharkiv and Vinnytsia regions at the beginning of the flowering stage (May–June 2025). The plant raw material was dried using an air-shade method at a temperature not exceeding 25 C. Results and discussion. As a result of the conducted studies, polysaccharide complexes of Knautia arvensis herb from different collection sites were fractionated for the first time. Their monomeric composition was identified. Their quantitative content was determined. Conclusions. Among the polysaccharide complex fractions of Knautia arvensis herb, the pectic substance (PS) fractions predominate, with a content of 8.77 ± 0.06% (for the sample from Vinnytsia Region) and 8.07 ± 0.12% (for the sample from Kharkiv Region). The obtained results on the fractional composition of the polysaccharide complex of Knautia arvensis herb will be used in the development of quality control methods for the medicinal plant raw material and the substances derived from it. The obtained results indicate the potential of Knautia arvensis herb for use in medical practice.

Comparative analysis of the volatile components in the Scutellaria altissima l. and Scutellaria albida L. Herbs

Iryna Dakhym — 2026-03-10

Introduction. Plants of the genus Scutellaria contain a wide range of biologically active substances, the main of which are flavonoids, terpenoids and iridoids. These plants are traditionally used as a sedative for the treatment of nervous disorders. They also have a wide range of biological activity, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, neuroprotective, antitumor and hepatoprotective effects. Scutellaria altissima is widely used in traditional medicine. An infusion of the herb of this plant is used as an expectorant, as well as a diuretic and sedative for conditions such as high blood pressure and edema. Scutellaria albida has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. Since we did not find enough information about the content of volatile compounds in these types of Scutellaria in the literature sources available to us, it was relevant to investigate and compare their content using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The aim of the study is to determine and compare the qualitative composition and quantitative content of volatile compounds in the herb of the studied plants. Materials and methods of the study. The material for the study were S. altissima and S. albida herbs, which were harvested on the territory of the Cultural Flora Department at the M. M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv). The quantitative content of volatile compounds was determined with GC/MS method. Results. The study of volatile compounds of S. altissima and S.albida allowed the identification of 35 and 22 components, respectively. The total content of these substances in the first plant was 902.95 μg/g, and in the second - 391.63 μg/g. The analysis revealed 15 similar components, among which germacrene D and linalool quantitatively predominate. Conclusion. Due to the presence of these compounds, which possess sedative and antioxidant properties, both types of scutellaria are potential raw materials for the creation of new pharmaceutical drugs.