Ziziphora species represent the prototypical example of the Lamiaceae family. The phytochemicals present in Ziziphora include monoterpenic essential oils, triterpenes and phenolic substances belonging to the flavonoids. In Kazakh traditional medicine, Ziziphora species possess several medicinal uses. In particular, Z. bungeana Lam. and Z. clinopodioides Lam. are used for the treatment of illnesses related to the cardiovascular system or to combat different infections. Unfortunately, the majority of the information about the complex Ziziphora species is only available in Russian and Chinese language, therefore, we decided gather all available information on Kazakhstan Ziziphora, namely its content compounds, medicinal uses and published patents, to draw the attention of scientists to this very interesting plant with high medicinal potential.

The chemical composition of the hydroethanolic extracts (60% v/v) from the aerial parts of Thymus marschallianus Willd (TM) and Thymus seravschanicus Klokov (TS) from Southern Kazakhstan flora was analyzed together with their hexane fractions. Determination of antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities of both extracts was also performed. RP-HPLC/PDA and HPLC/ESI-QTOF-MS showed that there were some differences between the composition of both extracts. The most characteristic components of TM were rosmarinic acid, protocatechuic acid, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, and apigenin 7-O-glucuronide, while protocatechuic acid, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, luteolin 7-O-glucuronide, and eriodictyol predominated in TS. The content of polyplenols was higher in TS than in TM. The GC-MS analysis of the volatile fraction of both examined extracts revealed the presence of thymol and carvacrol. Additionally, sesquiterpenoids, fatty acids, and their ethyl esters were found in TM, and fatty acid methyl esters in TS. The antioxidant activity of both extracts was similar. The antibacterial activity of TS extract was somewhat higher than TM, while antifungal activity was the same. TS extract was the most active against Helicobacter pylori ATCC 43504 with MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) = 0.625 mg/mL, exerting a bactericidal effect. The obtained data provide novel information about the phytochemistry of both thyme species and suggest new potential application of TS as a source of bioactive compounds, especially with anti-H. pylori activity.

Ziziphora species (Lamiaceae) have been used in traditional medicine as sedatives, antiseptics, carminatives, or expectorants. Despite their common applications in phytotherapy, there is still lack of evidence about the composition of their extracts and its impact on biological properties of the plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of Ziziphora bungeana, a less studied species growing in Kazakhstan, using HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS instrumentation and to determine its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activity together with inhibitory properties against tyrosinase and toxicity in erythrocyte lysis assay. Extracts from Z. bungeana were found to be sources of flavonoids, phenolic acids, organic acids, and terpenes that determined their antiradical activity. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of extracts were lower for Gram-positive bacteria (1.25–10 mg/mL) than for Gram-negative bacteria and fungi (5–20 mg/mL). The EC₅₀ value calculated for antiradical activity ranged between 15.00 ± 1.06 µg/mL and 13.21 ± 3.24 µg/mL for ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively. Z. bungeana extracts were found to decrease the activity of tyrosinase by 50% (at 200 µg/mL) similarly to kojic acid and were slightly cytotoxic for human melanoma A375 cell line (at 200 µg/mL) with no effect on HaCaT keratinocytes. In the end, Z. bungeana did not reveal toxic effects in hemolytic assay as compared to the positive control Triton X-100. The performed tests show potential application of the plant in the treatment of infectious diseases, disorders caused by free radicals, and skin problems.

This review systematically compiles and evaluates current research on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, and the clinical potential of plants of the genus Ribes L. Ribes species have long been used in traditional medicine for cardiovascular diseases, hepatitis, gastrointestinal ailments, hyperlipidemia, and detoxification, owing to their rich content of phenolic glycosides, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and polysaccharides. We analyze data from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, focusing on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, and vision-protective properties of extracts and isolated compounds. Particular attention is given to R. nigrum, a species recognized in French and British pharmacopeias for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties. Our synthesis reveals significant gaps: many Ribes spp. remain poorly characterized chemically; toxicology and pharmacokinetics are seldom studied; clinical trials are limited in number and rigor. We propose that future research should prioritize the comprehensive metabolomic and chemoprofiling of understudied Ribes species; standardized safety and dosage studies; the elucidation of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of key bioactives; and well-designed randomized clinical trials to validate traditional uses and establish therapeutic efficacy. Our review demonstrates that Ribes spp. are promising sources for novel phytopharmaceutical agents and functional foods, but that translational and regulatory research is essential to move from traditional claims toward evidence-based medical applications.

Kaolinite stands out as a promising natural geomaterial for developing new therapeutic systems aimed at addressing global health challenges, such as multidrug-resistant infections. In this study, we report on the formulation and biological activity of a therapeutic mixture composed of white micronized kaolinite (KAO) and Ziziphora essential oil (ZEO), intended for topical application on infected wounds. GC–MS analysis revealed that the primary component of ZEO is pulegone, constituting 72.98% of the oil. ZEO demonstrated good bioactivity against bacterial and fungal strains (MIC 1.25–5 mg/mL). Additionally, ZEO at a concentration of 0.0156% (0.156 mg/mL) was found to significantly stimulate collagen synthesis. The antimicrobial activity of the tested KAO–ZEO mixture formulation (30% KAO/0.25% ZEO in an excipient base) showed the highest effectiveness against Candida spp. (MIC 0.08–25 mg/mL) and Gram-positive bacteria (MIC 0.16–25 mg/mL), with lower activity against Gram-negative bacteria (MIC 25–50 mg/mL). Moreover, the KAO–ZEO mixture was nontoxic (cell viability near 100%) to human skin fibroblasts according to the ISO 10993-5 standard and promoted collagen synthesis by skin cells. This is the first documented formulation combining KAO and ZEO, demonstrating significant antimicrobial properties along with the ability to stimulate collagen production in fibroblasts. These properties highlight KAO–ZEO as a promising novel treatment, which may synergize with current care standards and improve wound healing outcomes.