The search for neuroprotective compounds in lavender is driven by its traditional use for brain health, with antioxidant activity serving as a key mechanism in reducing oxidative stress and supporting cognitive function. Lavender’s potential to protect neurons is based on its calming, anti-stress properties, which increase the brain’s resistance to neurodegeneration. Although lavender is not a traditional medicinal plant in Ukraine, it is increasingly recognised for its medicinal properties and is widely cultivated in the country. Lavender use in Ukraine is influenced by both global herbal practices and local medical traditions. The aim of this study was to optimise the preparation of lavender herb extracts, perform chemical profiling and evaluate their antioxidant and neuroprotective activities. The study focused on Lavandula angustifolia cultivated in Lviv, Ukraine. Modern analytical methods were used, including HPLC, spectrophotometry, molecular docking, lyophilisation and pharmacological testing. The selection of the optimal conditions for obtaining lavender herb extracts was determined on the basis of the results of the total yield of phenolic compounds in each extract, where it was found that the raw material–solvent ratio (1:10) in water and 50% ethanol gave the highest yield of substances; the preferred extraction time was 20 min, and the temperature was 60–70 °C, especially for water extraction. Further HPLC analysis identified marker compounds including rosmarinic acid (28.31 mg/g), chlorogenic acid (1.64 mg/g) and luteolin (0.23 mg/g) in the lyophilised ethanol extract, which were previously recognised as neuroprotective markers by molecular docking. The water extract showed higher antioxidant (total 50.85 mg/g) and neuroprotective activity, probably due to synergistic interactions among the components. Behavioural tests further demonstrated the neuroprotective potential of lavender herb. These results demonstrate the potential neuroprotective activity of lavender herb and open new possibilities for its use in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases.

Provide updated data on the antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of original dry extracts from Lavandula angustifolia herb of Ukrainian origin. The aim – an experimental comparative study of the chemical profile and antimicrobial activity of the original dry extracts of Lavandula angustifolia herb and their effect on the ability to destroy biofilms of microbial cultures or prevent their formation in vitro. Materials and methods. The objects of the study are dry extracts obtained from the lavender herb with purified water and ethanol solutions (40 and 70 %). The main biologically active substances (BAS) of the extracts were determined by the Thin-layer chromatography and Absorption spectrophotometry methods. The microbiological properties of the test samples of the investigated plant extracts were studied in vitro by the two-fold serial dilutions method. The ability of microorganisms to form a biofilm was determined by the method of adhesion to polystyrene in flat-bottomed plastic plates. The optical density of the initial bacterial suspension was measured on the Densi-La-Meter device, and the density of inoculated bacterial cells on the Multiskan EX photometer at a wavelength of 540 nm. The study of the antimicrobial activity of water and ethanol extracts of lavender herb in a wide range of concentrations was carried out by the agar diffusion method in the "wells" modification, which is commonly used in microbiological practice. Results. Water and water-ethanol extracts of lavender of Ukrainian origin were obtained. Terpenoids (linalool, linylyl acetate and traces of 1,8-cineol), flavonoids (hyperoside, isoquercitrin), and hydroxycinnamic acids (rosmarinic, chlorogenic acids) were identified in the extracts. The total content of phenolic compounds is 2.02–2.60 mg/g, flavonoids – 1.46–3.17 mg/g. The largest amount of BAS was extracted with 70 % ethanol. According to the results of experimental studies, the extracts of the lavender herb, obtained by extraction with a water-ethanol solution (40 and 70 % ethanol) at a concentration of 1 mg/ml, have antimicrobial properties against a wide range of infectious agents (S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans). Studies of the influence of test samples of lavender extracts at a concentration of 1 mg/ml on the ability of microorganisms (S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa) to form biofilms demonstrated that the highest inhibitory activity against biofilm formation was found in the case of the action of test of a sample of phytoextract obtained by extraction with a water-ethanol solution (40 % ethanol), which accounted for S. aureus ‒ 57.8 %, P. aeruginosa – 66.7 %. A wide spectrum of antimicrobial action was established for the tested lavender phytoextracts under the conditions of application of the concentration range of 10-60 μg/ml. The best spectrum of antimicrobial action and the highest activity corresponds to the lavender extract, obtained by extraction with 70 % ethanol, with the effect depending on the concentration. Conclusion. The lavender herb of Ukrainian origin is a promising and affordable source of potential antimicrobial active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Water-ethanol lavender extract (70 % ethanol), according to research results, has shown high antimicrobial and antifungal potential. According to preliminary data, antimicrobial activity correlates with the content of phenolic compounds. The obtained results may be useful for the search for original substances for the complex correction of symptoms of neurological deficits of infectious etiology

Seed processing effects induced by two types of cold plasma, CP (low-pressure plasma, LCP; dielectric barrier discharge plasma, DBD), and vacuum (V) treatments were compared by estimating changes in the emergence and growth of lavender seedlings, the density of leaf trichomes, and the biochemical composition of leaf extracts, including the content of photosynthetic pigments, TPC, antioxidant activity, and the amounts of two hydroxycinnamic acids associated with antioxidant activity—chlorogenic and rosmarinic acid. DBD treatment for 3 min stimulated the emergence and growth of seedlings but induced negative or neutral effects on biochemical parameters. All treatments, except DBD3, increased the density of glandular trichomes in leaves. Short-term treatments with LCP (0.5 min), DBD (2 min), and V (2 min) increased the total phenolic compound (TPC) content by 15–25%, and the first two treatments enhanced antioxidant activity (21–32%). HPLC analysis revealed that V (2 min) treatment was the most effective, increasing the content of chlorogenic (49%) and rosmarinic (14%) acid. LCP (1 min) and DBD (2 min) treatments increased chlorogenic acid content by 9% and 26%, respectively. The obtained results support the potential of pre-sowing seed treatments with CP and vacuum to produce raw lavender material enriched by biologically active compounds for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.