The genetic, morphological and taxonomic diversity of the genus Sorbus is due to homoploid and polyploid hybridisation, autopolyploidy and apomixis, which also influence the production and diversity of secondary metabolites, especially flavonoids. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships and variations of flavonoids in terms of hybrid origin and ploidy level between the parental species and their hybrid derivatives. The sampling design included leaf material of the following Sorbus accessions from ten natural localities: parental taxa (di-, tri- and tetraploids of S. aria; diploid S. torminalis and S. aucuparia) and their di-, tri- and tetraploid hybrid derivatives from crosses of S. aria × S. torminalis (subg. Tormaria) as well as the tetraploid S. austriaca and S. bosniaca, which originate from crosses of S. aria × S. aucuparia (subg. Soraria). We analysed the flavonoid profiles from the leaf fractions by LC-MS. A total of 23 flavonoids were identified, including apigenin and luteolin derivatives, which distinguish the hybrid groups from each other. This profiling highlights the distinctiveness of the Tormaria and Soraria accessions and emphasises the potential of the subg. Tormaria for further research on bioactive compounds in biological studies.

Lavandula angustifolia Mill. is the most important genus in the Lamiaceae as it contains species with essential oils of a high economic value. Lavender oil is used in the pharmaceutical, perfume and confectionery industries. Although L. angustifolia is commercially cultivated in many regions of the world, it grows wild in the Balkans. The present study was designed to describe the qualitative and quantitative composition of the essential oil of wild L. angustifolia and to evaluate, in vitro, its antiproliferative effects. Essential oils were obtained by steam distillation (Clevenger type). The chemical profile of the essential oil was examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) [1]. The antiproliferative effects were evaluated with three human tumor cell lines: MCF7 (breast adenocarcinoma, ATCC® HTB-22™), NCI-H460 (lung carcinoma, large cell lung cancer ATCC®HTB-177™) and MOLT-4 (acute lymphoblastic leukemia ATCC® CRL-1582™), and were expressed as GI50, (the lowest concentration able to slow the growth of the cells to 50% that of untreated cells. For this purpose, well-characterized cell lines with regard to tumor type, genotype, proliferation rates, growth characteristics (solid and haematological) and general drug sensitivity and resistance were used (3 cell lines found in the National Cancer Institute cell line screen) [2 – 4]. A known antitumor compound doxorubicin was used as the control. A total of 26 compounds were identified in the essential oils extracted from L. angustifolia flowers collected in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The main constituents were the monoterpene alcohols: linalool (37.90%), lavandulol (3.8%) and their esters linalyl acetate (12.10%), lavandulyl acetate (8.3%). Lavander essential oil exhibited good activity against the acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells (GI50 17 ± 5 µg/ml) and moderate activity against the breast adenocarcinoma line (GI50 94 ± 41 µg/ml) and the large cell lung cancer line (GI50 97 ± 43 µg/ml). Lavander essentilal oil demonstrated significant antiproliferative activity against all tested cell lines, while MOLT-4 cells were especially sensitive. The present studies suggest possible usage of this essential oil as an anticancer agent. Further research is required to evaluate the practical value in therapeutic applications. Keywords: Lavandula angustifolia, essential oil, antiproliferative activity. References: [1] Adams RP. Identification of Essential Oil Components by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy, 4th edition. Carol Stream, Illinois: Allured Publishing 2007; 325 – 327 [2] Mossman T. Rapid colorimetric assay for cellular growth and survival: Application to proliferation and cytotoxicity assays. J Immunol Meth 1983; 65: 55 – 63 [3] Boyd MR, Kenneth DP. Some practical considerations and applications of the National Cancer Institute in vitro anticancer drug discovery screen. Drug Dev Res 1995; 34: 91 – 109 [4] www.dtp.nci.nih.gov

Red currant (Ribes rubrum L.) berries are rich in bioactive compounds and exhibit nutritive and protective features. This research examined the content of secondary metabolites of the red currant variety Redpoll lyophilized juice and waste extract and their antioxidative and spasmolytic effects. The flavonol and anthocyanin contents of the samples were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The antispasmodic effects were assessed in in vitro conditions, and the potential impact of the samples and possible action mechanisms were revealed. The results showed the prevalence of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside as the dominant anthocyanin with higher content in the juice sample. Quercetin content, as the prevalent flavonol, was higher in the waste sample. The berry juice showed a greater ability for scavenging free radicals, whereas the waste better inhibited lipid peroxidation. The juice was a superior antispasmodic agent for spontaneous, KCl-, CaCl₂-, BaCl₂-, histamine-, and acetylcholine-induced ileal contractions. This first evaluation of the red currant variety Redpoll lyophilized juice and waste extract indicated the beneficial effects of juice as an antioxidant and spasmolytic agent. Therefore, this red currant juice sample could be designated for the prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

Triterpenes are very important secondary metabolites with wide structural diversity and significant role in pharmacy and medicine.In the present research, a comparative study of pharamacological activities of the triterpene fractions obtained from several plant species belonging to Lamiaceae family, was carried out. In-vitro anti-proliferative activity was performed using a standardproliferation assay based on tetrazolium salts. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of triterpene fractions was determined by an assay of inhibition of albumin denaturation. In general, the triterpene fractions obtained from plant species belonging to Lamiaceae family showed a strong anti-proliferative activity and anti-inflammatory activity.The triterpene fraction of Rosmarini folium showed the strongest anti-proliferative activity (GI50range from 4 to 37 μg/ml) and the strongest anti-inflammatory activity in the range from 57.27% to 80.69%. This comparative study provides scientific evidence to support the traditional use of Lamiacae plant species for medical purposes as anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative medicines.

The current state of research on the anti‑SARS‑CoV‑2 potential of artemisinin‑related compounds has identified arteannuin B as a potent inhibitor of the nCoV‑2019BetaCov/Wuhan/WiV04/2019 and BetaCov/Italy/CDG1/2020 strains of the virus. The aim of this work was to fractionate the targeted sesquiterpenoid compounds, arteannuin B and artemisinin, from the complex matrix of the crude ethanolic leaf extract of Artemisia annua L. using high‑speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) and to test the simplified or purified fractions against the genomically characterized Alpha SARS‑CoV‑2 variant in vitro. This is the first detailed in vitro anti‑SARS‑CoV‑2 study using an analytically characterized supercritical fluid extract of A. annua L. The preparative HSCCC method enabled the isolation of purified arteannuin B in a single chromatographic step, which was confirmed by LC‑ESI‑QTOF‑MS/MS. The MS data confirmed the selectivity of the HSCCC method for the targeted fractionation of artemisinin from the complex matrix, as it was successfully separated from the EtOH crude extract without co‑elution with arteannuin B. Antiviral activity determined by quantitative real‑time PCR (qRT‑PCR) yielded half‑maximal effective concentrations (EC₅₀) of 93.7 µg/mL (SC‑CO₂ extract), 173.5 µg/mL (EtOH extract), 187.3 µg/mL (artemisinin knockout fraction), 38.1 µg/mL (arteannuin B fraction), and >100 µg/mL (artemisinin). The arteannuin B fraction was highly active at 50 µg/mL (p < 0.0001) and 100 µg/mL (p < 0.0001), and inhibited the amplification of the SARS‑CoV‑2 N and RdRp genes by 84% and 100%, respectively. An important contribution of this study is the demonstration of the antiviral activity of arteannuin B against the Alpha variant of SARS‑CoV‑2, which is known to have increased infectivity and transmissibility.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by joint inflammation and destruction, leading to significant pain and disability. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is identified as a biomarker for RA’s inflammatory process. This study aims to investigate the potential of flavonoids and phenolic acids to inhibit ADA activity (in silico) and evaluate their anti-inflammatory effects in a RA model (in vivo). Methods: The molecular docking study was conducted using YASARA Structure 19.12.14. software following the Auto Dock 4.2 protocol. A rat model with pristane-induced arthritis was used to test the anti-inflammatory effect of selected polyphenols. The consistency of the development of the rat model was evaluated through the following indicators artistic score, paw volume, and body weight. Quercetin was administered intragastrically at doses of 150 and 400 mg/kg over 15 days. The C-reactive protein (CRP) level in serum was measured with an automatic biochemical analyzer. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 29.0.2.0. Results: Molecular docking simulations showed flavonoids inhibited ADA activity with inhibition constants ranging from 0.012 mM to 0.190 mM. In the in vivo RA model, quercetin significantly reduced joint inflammation and serum CRP levels at a higher dose of 400 mg/kg. Conclusion: Quercetin shows promise as an anti-inflammatory agent for RA by targeting ADA, suggesting that flavonoid-rich plant extracts could enhance RA treatment.