ScienceRise: Biological Science

Study of the potential anti-inflammatory properties of a new remedy based on a dicarboxylic acid derivative in the conditions of toxic hepatitis

Anastasia Morozyuk — 2025-09-30

The aim of the study is to investigate changes in the level of C-reactive protein in the blood serum of rats under the conditions of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatitis and its correction with a new agent based on a dicarboxylic acid derivative and a selenium-containing compound.

Materials and methods. The study was conducted on outbred white rats weighing 200-250 g in compliance with all principles of ethical treatment of animals. The model of toxic hepatitis was reproduced by subcutaneous administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) at a dose of 4.5 ml/kg b.w. (50% solution in oil) three times a week for a month. The animals were divided into groups: I – control, which was injected with a solvent (2% starch solution); II – rats with paracetamol-induced hepatitis; III – rats with hepatitis, which received a new agent based on a dicarboxylic acid derivative and a selenium-containing compound at a dose of 32 mg/kg b.w. to correct liver pathology. The content of C-reactive protein in the blood of animals was studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the appropriate set of reagents according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Results. Significant changes in the level of C-reactive protein were recorded in animals from the induced hepatitis group compared to intact control animals, as well as structural changes in the liver tissue of animals with induced hepatitis compared to intact control animals. The use of the new agent for correction led to the normalization of indicators.

Conclusions. In the conditions of prolonged tetrachloromethane-induced hepatitis, a significant increase in the content of C-reactive protein in the serum of rats from the group "Hepatitis" compared to animals of intact control was recorded. The use of the new remedy based on the derivative of dicarboxylic acid and a selenium-containing compound for the correction of the pathology leads to a significant decrease in the level of C-reproductive protein in animals’ blood serum. It has been shown that the new derivative of dararboxylic acid and selenium-containing compound in conditions of toxic hepatitis has a playhotropic effect in the form of hepatoprotective, spermatomoodulatory and anti-inflammatory activity

Saproxylic rove beetles of the subfamily Aleocharinae (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in primeval fir forest of the Carpathian National Nature Park

Yuriy Motruk — 2025-09-30

Saproxylic beetles are insects that depend on dead and decaying wood for at least part of their lifecycle, and play an important ecological roles in European habitats. Together with fungi, they contribute to the destruction of deadwood as well as are involved in decomposition processes and the recycling of nutrients in natural ecosystems. The subfamily Aleocharinae is one of the largest subfamilies of rove beetles.

The aim of the study is to investigate the diversity of saproxylic beetles (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in primeval fir forest of the Carpathian National Nature Park.

Materials and methods. The report is based on the results of observations and collections, which were conducted in coniferous forests of the Carpathian National Nature Park in 2023–2024. All traps were set up and operated yearly during the vegetation season from early April to late September.

Results. The fauna of rove beetles of the subfamily Aleocharinae accounts for 44 species, of which 23 species are obligate or facultative saproxylic. The community of rove beetles of the subfamily Aleocharinae, collected in primeval fir forest of the Carpathian National Nature Park, is characterized by a high level of faunal diversity.

Conclusions. The community of rove beetles of the subfamily Aleocharinae, collected in primeval fir forest of the Carpathian National Nature Park, is characterized by a high level of faunal diversity. The fauna of rove beetles of the subfamily Aleocharinae accounts for 44 species, of which 23 species are saproxylic. The result of our research is a section of the composition of the beetle community at a certain stage of forest succession. In the future, these data can be used by researchers to assess other territories, in particular with the aim of forming proposals for rational sustainable permanent forest use, which Ukrainian forestry is gradually moving towards

Study of the antiulcer properties of extracts obtained from the fruit of the domestic plum (Prunus Domestica L.)

Liubov Galuzinska — 2025-09-30

Aim. To search for and select an effective dose of plant extracts with anti-ulcer activity, obtained from the fruits of Prunus domestica L. (family Rosaceae, cultivar "Ugorka"), which are widely cultivated in Ukraine as a fruit-berry crop.

Materials and Methods. For the experimental investigation of the anti-ulcer activity of the extracts under study and the comparative drug ranitidine, two models were chosen, in which ulcers were induced on the gastric mucosa by an ethanol-prednisolone mixture and by indometacin solution. Against the background of the model pathology, biomarkers were measured in gastric homogenate and in blood serum: lipid peroxidation (LPO), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), diene conjugates (DC), and reduced glutathione (GSH). The degree of ulcer defect was assessed visually using a 5-point scale.

Results. Under the ethanol-prednisolone ulcer model in rats, after administration of the extract PEF at a dose of 200 mg/kg, a reduction in the degree of ulcer defect by 36.6 % was observed; inhibition of the LPO process was accompanied by a decrease in serum DC by 1.4-fold, TBARS by 1.8-fold, and an increase in GSH by 1.2-fold. In the gastric homogenate, a significant increase in GSH by 1.4-fold and a decrease in DC and TBARS by 1.4-fold were also observed. The extract PEPC at 200 mg/kg was also effective in this ulcer model, with anti-ulcer activity of 31.8 %, confirmed by normalization of biochemical parameters in serum and gastric homogenate.

A marked anti-ulcer effect was also observed in the indometacin ulcer model and was confirmed by a significant reduction in ulcer formation by 1.4-fold and 1.5-fold, respectively, when treated with PEF extract at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg compared to animals in the control group. A statistically significant enhancement of antioxidant defense in gastric homogenate (1.2-fold) and liver homogenate (1.3-fold) was noted at 100 mg/kg, and 1.4-fold at 200 mg/kg.

The administration of PEPC extract at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg in the indometacin ulcer model positively affected the general condition of the animals and reduced the degree of damage to the gastric mucosa (GSM). There was inhibition of LPO processes, evidenced by statistically significant decreases in TBARS in gastric homogenate (1.3-fold and 1.5-fold, respectively) and liver (1.4-fold). A significant increase in antioxidant defense was also detected in gastric homogenate (1.3-fold) and liver homogenate (1.4-fold) at 100 mg/kg and 1.5-fold at 200 mg/kg.

Conclusions. In the conditions of experimental gastric ulcers in animals, treated with the PEF and PEPC extracts, moderate anti-ulcer properties were observed, although they were inferior to the comparative drug ranitidine. It has been demonstrated that the PEF and PEPC extracts inhibit the course of LPO reactions and support endogenous antioxidant defense systems

Occupational factors, life expectancy, and biotechnological and pharmacological health support strategies

Olga Filiptsova — 2025-09-30

The aim of the study was to analyze the associations of life expectancy and professions among prominent people of different historical periods, as well as some biotechnological and pharmacological aspects of promoting longevity.

Materials and methods. The work used statistical analysis and descriptive-comparative analysis.

Results and discussion. The analysis of the literature shows that the average human life expectancy is a variable value. Life expectancy for the period from 1800 to 2011 increased from 30 to 68 years, in 2016 it was 69 years; for men - 67 years, for women - 71.1 years. There are significant differences in the life expectancy of a person within each country. The factors that determine the average life expectancy relate to education, income, employment and profession, as well as other indicators of socio-economic status. 640 prominent people were selected for the study, including 537 men and 103 women. Prominent people were residents of 45 countries, the largest number of people in the USA - 255, Great Britain - 65, Ukraine - 49, France - 42, Germany - 33 individuals. Prominent people were divided into a group of living (109 people) and deceased (531 people). The average life expectancy of the living is 73.4 years and this is more than the average life expectancy of the deceased, their age is 72.3 years. During the work, it has been found that there are differences in the average life expectancy within each country, between professional groups. The average life expectancy of all prominent people in the study is 72.9 years. It has been found that among the professional groups in the study, politicians have the highest average life expectancy. The results of studies of average life expectancy in the relationship between gender and professional activity showed that for men this figure is 71.4, for women - 74.8 years.

Conclusions. According to the results of the study, the average life expectancy of men is 71.9 years, and of women is 74.4 years. In the group of living people, the highest indicators of average life expectancy are programmers, and in the group of living and deceased prominent people, this indicator is highest among politicians. These data confirm scientific data on the dependence of life expectancy on gender and professional activity. In our further studies, we plan to study possible associations with diseases

Acute toxicity and antimicrobial activity of the Plume Poppy extract (Macleaya microcarpa (Maxim.) Fedde.)

Natalia Voloshchuk — 2025-09-30

Modern medicine is facing a global problem of increasing antibiotic resistance, which significantly limits the effectiveness of traditional antibacterial drugs. This necessitates the search for new sources of antimicrobial agents, among which plant extracts containing biologically active substances with antibacterial and antifungal properties are of particular interest.

The aim was a study of the acute toxicity and antimicrobial activity of Plume Poppy herb dry extract.

Material and Methods. The study objects were: Plume Poppy herb, which was harvested in the Vinnytsia region during the flowering period in the summer of 2023; the dry extract of Plume Poppy herb, obtained by extraction and evaporation. The study of the acute toxicity of the Plume Poppy herb dry extract by intragastric administration to mice was carried out using the express method of T.V. Pastushenko. The study of the antimicrobial activity of the Plume Poppy herb dry extract was carried out using the disk-diffusion method and the method of two-fold serial dilutions on the basis of the Microbiology Department laboratory of National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsia.

Results. According to the classification of K.K. Sidorov, the dry extract of Plume Poppy herb is classified as class III - moderately toxic substances. LD₅₀ was 149 mg/kg for males and 174 mg/kg for females. A pronounced direct antimicrobial activity of the Plume Poppy herb dry extract has been established. The specified extract exhibits moderate antistaphylococcal activity, acts on vegetative forms of bacilli, inhibits the growth of yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida and at the same time is less effective against gram-negative bacteria.

Conclusions. The Plume Poppy herb is a source of biologically active compounds and represents a promising raw material for the development of new herbal medicinal products for external use, particularly dry extracts and their solutions with pronounced antimicrobial activity