The genus Tribulus L. (Zygophyllaceae) includes 12 species, the most important of which is Tribulus terrestris L. This annual herb grows in temperate and tropical climates, and has a rich chemical composition of biologically active substances and chemical elements. Medicinal plants, and the phytopreparations obtained from them, are becoming more and more popular in world practice as they are used to successfully treat human diseases. Their therapeutic effect is due to the presence in them, of a variety of natural compounds and biologically important trace elements, especially in higher concentrations present in higher doses. T. terrestris is becoming more and more popular for the treatment of diseases of the human genital area and sexual dysfunctions. The elemental content in the tissues of leaf, flower, and fruit of T. terrestris was determined by using multi-element instrumental epithermal neutron activation analysis. For the first time, 26 essential and trace elements were observed in the plant species collected in Russia (from cultivated) and China (wild growing). It was confirmed that the elemental composition of T. terrestris grass varies depending on the habitat (geographic zones). The place of growth affects the accumulation of elements by the plant.

The composition of the essential oils obtained from different parts of both wild and cultivated forms of Salvia sclarea L. were investigated by both GC and GC/MS. The principal components of the oils were linalool (22–32%) and linalyl acetate (25–51%). It was found that the oil composition was not influenced by the part of the plant from which oil was obtained, except for the leaves. Oil composition was not influenced by plant parts (except for the leaves), state of plant maturity, location of cultivation site, whether the plant was wild or cultivated, year of harvest, color of bracts or cultivation conditions.

The rising demand for safe plant compounds and herbal products that contribute positively to human health is in line with current market trends. Plants belonging to the Satureja genus, particularly the aromatic medicinal S. montana L. from the Lamiaceae family, are well suited to these trends as they serve as pharmaceutical raw materials. This research aimed to assess the influence of sowing date and fertilization doses, as well as their interaction, on the fresh weight, essential oil content, and composition of S. montana. Experimental cultivation involved varying nitrogen and phosphorus levels. The second cut had the highest fresh weight and oil production compared to the first cut. The highest total plant biomass was achieved with autumn sowing and fertilization at 55 kg N/ha and 37 kg P/ha, whereas Spring sowing exhibited higher essential oil production, with the maximum oil % with 74 kg P/ha and oil yield after applying 55 kg N/ha and 74 kg P/ha. The GC-MS analysis revealed that carvacrol was the predominant compound, with it being recommended to grow S. montana in Spring at doses of 55 kg N/ha and 74 kg P/ha for the superior oil yield. Additionally, S. montana essential oil demonstrated notable biological and antimicrobial activity, positioning it as a potential alternative to chemical food preservatives.

The antivirus activity of the essential oil from fruit and roots of Heracleum L. species (Apiaceae) was investigated in vivo against influenza Types A and B. The oils, delivered to test animals (mice) by means of oral, intranasal, and inhalation, were distilled in an all-glass Ginsberg's apparatus (as described in the USSR Pharmacopoeia) from autumn-harvested fresh roots and dry, ripe fruits of plants cultivated at the scientific station of the Komarov Botanical Institute of Russian Academy of Science (Leningrad district, Priozerskij area). Investigations on toxicity indicated that essential oils of Heracleum have a toxicity LD50 at the level of 0.2-0.4 ml. The most effective antiviral activity against influenza in mice was observed when the essential oil was mixed with vegetable oil and given orally as a prophylactic. Results of the study also indicated that the essential oil could be effectively used as a disinfectant for sanitation of lodgings and other materials. Investigations indicated the ...

The essential oils of the fruit of Heracleum nanum Satzyperova, H. leskovii Grossh., grandiflorum Stev. ex Bieb., H. moellendorfii Hance, H. dulce Fisch, and H. mantegazzianum Somm. et Levier were examined by GC and GC/MS. The oils were found to be rich in octyl acetate (18.0–65.0%), octyl butyrate (7.0–32.0%), octyl hexanoate (0.8–13.0%) and octyl octanoate (0.9–20.0%). Constituents of the fruit oils maybe used in chemo-taxonomic studies of this genus.