Since ancient times, many scientists and doctors have used various herbs to treat diseases. Conventional drugs often have side effects, and pathogens are becoming resistant to these types of drugs. In such circumstances, the study of traditional medicinal plants is an effective and logical strategy for finding new herbal medicines. One such herb is Plantago major, a perennial plant in the Plantaginaceae family that is found throughout the world. The Plantago major plant has been used as a medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Studies have shown that plant extracts of Plantago major exhibit antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects, and have wound-healing properties. This review collects and presents the results of various studies of Plantago major plant extracts with antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties, which demonstrate a wide range of therapeutic possibilities of Plantago major plant extracts and have a huge potential for use as a medicinal raw material.

The Apiaceae family, which encompasses a variety of economically important vegetables, herbs, and spices, stands out as one of the largest plant families. Crops such as anise, fennel, carrot, coriander, and parsley are not only valued for their culinary uses but also serve as important sources of botanical flavors and fragrances. Members of the Apiaceae family are known for their diverse medicinal properties, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as benefits for diabetes management and liver protection. In addition, these plants produce a number of unique, specialized metabolites such as volatile phenylpropanoids, furanocoumarins, sesquiterpene coumarins, polyacetylenes, and phthalides. Some of these compounds are rare phytochemicals found exclusively in this family, highlighting their potential for bioprospecting. The objective of this review is to support future research on Apiaceae by providing up-to-date information on their key characteristics, origin and traditional uses. It also collects and analyses the scattered information available in the literature on the chemical composition and biological activities of essential oils and various extracts from selected Apiaceae species, demonstrating their potential for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and other industrial applications.

Elymus repens (L.) Gould, commonly known as couch grass, is mainly distributed as a medicinal herb of great ethnopharmacological importance. This review presented for the first time the significance of nomenclature clarity, current insights on distribution, traditional use, phytochemistry and their biological activities. The bioactive compound composition of E. repens displayed a variety of compounds including carbohydrates, phenolic acids, flavonoids, benzoxazinoids and volatile compounds, all of which contributed to its medicinal properties. The biological potential of this plant underlines diuretic, antiurolithiatic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and also antidiabetic qualities with molecular insights showing synergistic interactions across many compound classes. The current reported data notably confirmed its potential in lowering renal calculi and alleviating associated symptoms; however, the findings remain limited. E. repens’ medicinal potential is further confirmed by its historical application as an herbal tea and aqueous preparation, which clearly indicates its favorable safety profile. Along with this, from many encouraging results, there exist considerable deficiencies in standardization, clinical validation and also mechanistic clarification. This review highlights the necessity for careful studies to determine the therapeutic efficiency, enhance formulation and promote E. repens as a scientifically therapeutic agent.

Today, the development of pharmaceutical substances based on biologically active compounds from plants is highly relevant. In this context, it is of great importance to explore methods for the optimal extraction of biologically active substances from the raw material of the plant Euphorbia humifusa Willd., which grows in our country and is rich in biologically active compounds. Obtaining an extract that meets pharmacopoeial requirements, as well as determining the technological parameters of the plant raw material, is crucial for the research. This scientific article presents the results of the pharmaceutical and technological parameters of the raw material from the plant Euphorbia humifusa Willd. The purpose of this study. To determine the pharmaceutical and technological parameters of the aerial part of the plant Euphorbia humifusa Willd. Methods and Materials. The research material consisted of the leaves and stems of Euphorbia humifusa Willd. Pharmaceutical and technological parameters of the plant raw material were determined, including specific gravity (dу, g/cm³), bulk density (d₀, g/cm³), tapped density (dH, g/cm³), porosity of the raw material, voidage of the raw material, free volume of the raw material layer (V), and the absorption coefficient of the extractant (Х, ml/g). Results. The following parameters of the plant raw material were determined during the study: specific gravity (dу) – 1.31±0.017 g/cm³, bulk density (d₀) – 0.32±0.010 g/cm³, tapped density (dH) – 0.12±0.002 g/cm³, voidage – 0.75±0.014 g/cm³, porosity of the raw material – 0.60±0.005 g/cm³, and free volume of the raw material layer – 0.90±0.011 g/cm³. Additionally, pharmacopeial quality indicators of the plant raw material were established: moisture content, 7.95±0.05%; total ash, 6.63±0.12%; and ash insoluble in a 10% HCl solution, 1.25±0.10%. The contents of heavy metals, such as cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic, and radionuclides, such as strontium-90 and cesium-137, in Euphorbia humifusa Willd. were within permissible limits. Conclusion. Cadmium and mercury heavy metals were not detected in the composition of Euphorbia humifusa Willd., while the levels of lead and arsenic comply with the standards established in Pharmacopoeial Article 1.5.3.009 “Determination of Heavy Metals in Medicinal Plant Raw Materials and Herbal Preparations.”

Psychiatric disorders significantly impact global health, with treatment-resistant patients facing serious complications. Schizophrenia shows treatment resistance in approximately one-third of cases, while antidepressants are effective in half of users. The rising incidence of suicidal ideation in bipolar disorder necessitates the development of new drugs. This narrative review highlights molecules approved by the FDA and EMA from 2018 onward, detailing new indications and formulations. Key approvals include the antipsychotic lumateperone, drug combinations such as OLZ/SAM and KarXT for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and esketamine for treatment-resistant depression. Other notable approvals include brexanolone and zuranolone for postpartum depression. However, no new treatments for anxiety disorders or OCD have been introduced. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing research into new psychiatric medications to enhance efficacy and minimize adverse effects.

BACKGROUND: Providing the least costly, safe, and highly effective pharmacotherapy to patients with rheumatoid arthritis remains an urgent issue. AIM: This work aimed to develop approaches for optimizing drug provision for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (using the city of Almaty as an example). METHODS: This work used the information resources of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan; reports from the Almaty City Rheumatology Center, the State Register of Medicinal Products of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Clinical Protocol for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis No. 12 dated September 29, 2016; wholesale prices for medicinal products, antineoplastic agents, and immunomodulators (anatomical therapeutic chemical groups L01, L04) provided by the City Rheumatology Center; and statistical indicators accumulated based on data from the World Health Organization and the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan. RESULTS: The highest disease prevalence (60%) was observed among working-age patients aged 35–55 years, whereas only 0.36% of the medicinal products used belonged to biologic agents. The cost ranking (ascending order) of adverse drug reaction therapy was as follows: adalimumab, etanercept, rituximab, tocilizumab, golimumab, and infliximab. With regard to additional cost expenditures, the leading agents (based on the lowest cost of the treatment course) were golimumab, rituximab, and infliximab. The lowest total treatment cost across all treatment stages (in ascending order) was identified for etanercept, adalimumab, and infliximab. CONCLUSION: Strengthening physician-led patient education regarding treatment strategies is necessary to improve adherence among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. To expand therapy options, the inclusion of etanercept in the guaranteed free medical care list must be considered. To reduce expenditures for medicinal provision, producing biologic agents in the Republic of Kazakhstan is required.