Дослідження елементного складу нечуйвітру волохатенького

Анотація

Introduction. Minerals are essential nutrients that play a critical role in maintaining human health by regulating a wide range of physiological functions. These include, in particular, bone formation, enzyme activity, nerve impulse transmission, and immune response. Both mineral deficiency and excess may have significant health consequences. Therefore, the search for natural sources of elements – such as medicinal plants – is well justified as part of a comprehensive approach to the prevention and treatment of various diseases. In this context, our attention was drawn to a native plant species—Hieracium pilosella—which is widely distributed across Ukraine and has a sufficient supply of raw material. Hieracium pilosella L. (mouse-ear hawkweed) is a common and highly invasive weed belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is a perennial plant with a basal rosette of leaves, the underside of which is covered with whitish hairs. The flowering stem usually reaches up to 30 cm in height and bears a single pale-yellow inflorescence, with marginal ligulate flowers showing a reddish tint on the underside. Herba Pilosellae is well known in European ethnomedicine and is used to treat urinary tract inflammation and skin diseases due to its diuretic, astringent, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Hieracium pilosella may also be used in the phytotherapy of hypertension and obesity due to its pronounced diuretic effect. This medicinal plant is not described in the European Pharmacopeia, but it has a monograph in the French Pharmacopeia. Preparations from Hieracium pilosella have been known and used for centuries in Polish folk medicine to treat cystitis, nephritis, urolithiasis, as well as cough and inflammatory respiratory conditions, and associated bleeding. For external use, plant extracts are applied to treat infected wounds. In Le Livre des Plantes Médicinales et Vénéneuses de France (Fournier, 1948), the following properties of the plant are described: diuretic action, as well as aperitive and depurative effects, astringent, wound-healing (vulnerary), and bactericidal activities. In Ressources Médicinales de la Flore Française (Garnier et al., 1961), Hieracium pilosella is characterized as a dechlorinating and azoturic diuretic. Its use is reported for influenza, brucellosis (as an infusion), and to enhance diuresis. The plant has also been used in combination with other herbs for rheumatism, gout, and urolithiasis. In Précis de Matière Médicale (Paris and Moyse, 1971), Hieracium pilosella is noted for its pronounced diuretic activity; the whole plant is used as infusions or decoctions and is considered useful in brucellosis. According to the British Herbal Pharmacopeia (1979), Pilosella herba exhibits the following therapeutic effects: when administered orally, spasmolytic, expectorant, anticatarrhal, diuretic, and sialogogue; when applied topically, wound healing. Indications include bronchitis, bronchial asthma, whooping cough, hemoptysis, and edema. Externally, it is used for hernias and fractures as lotions or compresses. Specific indications include whooping cough, pulmonary diseases with excessive sputum production, chest pain, and hemoptysis. Aim of the study. To investigate the qualitative composition and quantitative content of macro- and microelements in Hieracium pilosella herb in order to expand knowledge about its chemical composition and assess the prospects for its further use. Materials and Methods. The study used plant material of the Hieracium pilosella herb (supplier: LLC “Greenmilya”, Kharkiv). Elemental composition was determined using atomic emission spectrography, which is based on the evaporation of plant ash in an electric arc discharge, photographic recording of the emitted spectrum, and measurement of the intensity of spectral lines of individual elements. Results and Discussion. The content of 15 macro- and microelements was determined in the Hieracium pilosella herb. The levels of heavy metals in the studied raw material, determined by atomic emission spectrography, were within the permissible limits established for food products and plant materials. Based on the experimental data, the total ash content of the herb was 12.27 ± 0.12%. Among macronutrients, the dominant elements were: potassium (3900 µg/100 g), silicon (1100 µg/100 g), and calcium (920 µg/100 g). These accounted for 55%, 16%, and 13% of the total elemental content, respectively. Among trace elements, the predominant ones were: aluminum (245 µg/100 g), iron (185 µg/100 g), zinc (86 µg/100 g), and manganese (21 µg/100 g). The general pattern of quantitative distribution of elements was as follows: macroelements: K > Si > Ca > Mg > P > Na, microelements: Al > Fe > Zn > Mn > Ni > Mo. Conclusions. Using atomic emission spectroscopy, the content of macro- and microelements in the Hieracium pilosella herb was determined. A total of 15 elements were identified in the raw material studied. Among macronutrients, potassium (3900 µg/100 g), silicon (1100 µg/100 g), and calcium (920 µg/100 g) predominated; among trace elements, aluminum (245 µg/100 g), iron (185 µg/100 g), zinc (86 µg/100 g), and manganese (21 µg/100 g).