Background: Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Sch.Bip. (T. parthenium) is an aromatic perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, also known as feverfew. It is widely distributed in various regions of Europe and other parts of the world. The plant has a rich background in the traditional medicine of many nations and has been used as a remedy for fever, pain, inflammation, asthma, rheumatism, menstrual disorders, etc. Methods: GC–MS analysis was conducted to determine the chemical composition of the isolated essential oil (EO). Using the method proposed by Litchfield and Wilcoxon, the average lethal dose (LD₅₀) of the EO on Wistar rats was determined for two routes of administration: oral (p.o.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.). The subacute toxicity of the EO was also tested by oral administration of a daily dose of 1.0 g/kg body weight (BW) for 28 days. The toxicity of the EO was evaluated by observing and evaluating changes in behavior, body weight, basic hematological and serum biochemical parameters, and histopathological changes of the internal organs. Results: Thirty-seven volatile organic compounds representing 94.58% of the total oil composition were tentatively detected in the obtained T. parthenium EO. The dominant compounds were camphor (45.47%), trans-chrisantenyl acetate (21.65%), camphene (9.48%), and cis-isogeraniol (5.42%). The results showed that the EO was not toxic when administered in acute oral doses. The acute mean lethal dose for intraperitoneal administration was LD₅₀ i.p. = 2.13 g/kg BW. In the subacute study involving administration of an oral dose of EO for 28 days, there were a number of changes in the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of the blood compared with the control group of animals. However, no symptoms of toxicity, changes in the body weight of the rats, death, or pathological changes in the histological indicators of the examined organs—brain, heart, stomach, liver, spleen and kidney—were found. Extrapolating the results obtained from the rat experiments, we can state that the EO is safe for use in doses below 1 g/kgBW for a period not exceeding one month.

Tanacetum vulgare L. has been traditionally applied as a remedy for headaches, rheumatism, digestion, respiratory and neurological problems, and other medical conditions. However, the literature data on its effects on cognitive function are scarce. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of two doses of T. vulgare alcohol extract on cognitive functions, hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, and organ toxicity in rats. Rats were treated with T. vulgare 200 mg/kg (TV 200) and 1000 mg/kg (TV 1000) for 28 days. After one week of pre-treatment, the animals were subjected to a series of tests. We found that in the active avoidance test, only TV 200 improved learning and memory, while in the passive avoidance test, both doses facilitated these processes. In addition, the two doses enhanced spatial memory. In the elevated plus maze test, only the higher dose of TV 1000 resulted in anxiolytic-like behavior. Both doses of the extract significantly increased the hippocampal expression of BDNF. We suggest that increased neurotrophic factor expression could be one of the important mechanisms underlying the cognition-enhancing effects of T. vulgare extract.

The great many hormones released by the endocrine cells of the glands and lining epithelium of gastric mucosa determine its significance for the processes in the gastrointestinal tract. One of these hormones, serotonin, plays an important role in the regulation of the motility, secretion and sensation in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the present study was to conduct immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies of serotonin-producing EC cell of gastric mucosa. Gastric mucosa biopsies were obtained and studied immunihistochemically for serotonin expression in the mucosa endocrine cells. Electron microscopic study was performed to specify the processes of synthesis, accumulation and release of secretory product by those cells. The immunohistochemical study revealed a considerable number of serotonin-containing EC cells scattered in the lining epithelium and between the glands in the corpus and pyloric region of the stomach. The electron microscopic study followed the stages of formation of the secretory granules from the initial accumulation of granular substance, its membrane packing and formation of mature granules to their disintegration in the secretory process. Serotonin as a neurotransmitter and gastrointestinal hormone appears to be a key to understanding a number of symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders like nausea, vomiting, pain, diarrhea and constipation. A detailed study of serotonin functions in the gastrointestinal tract realised through different types of receptors, and of the development of specific antagonists and agonists to these receptors would open up new opportunities for a more efficient treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

Background: Scientific interest has grown in naturally derived compounds capable of supporting or enhancing cognitive performance. Tanacetum vulgare L. is an abundant source of secondary metabolites and has been associated with a broad range of biological activities; however, its potential influence on cognitive function remains largely unexplored. Methods: The present study explored the effects of T. vulgare essential oil (EO) on cognitive performance, hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, and histomorphological alterations in a rat model. Animals were administered T. vulgare EO at doses of 0.5 and 1.5 mL/kg for 28 days and were subjected to a series of behavioral tests after one week of pretreatment. Results: Both doses of EO facilitated the formation of short- and long-term memory traces in the inhibitory avoidance tasks, with a more pronounced effect observed at the lower dose, whereas improvement in passive learning was evident only at the higher dose. Spatial and recognition memory were enhanced at both doses. EO treatment significantly increased hippocampal BDNF expression without inducing pathological alterations. Conclusions: These findings suggest that T. vulgare EO may improve specific hippocampal-dependent cognitive functions, with upregulation of hippocampal BDNF representing a potential underlying mechanism.

Background: Local regulation of gastrointestinal tract digestion is performed by a large number of hormones produced by the mucosal enteroendocrine cells. Some of the earliest differentiating cells in the gastrointestinal tract are enteroendocrine cells. Serotonin-producing cells - EC cells are found mostly in the stomach and duodenum. Aim: The aim of our study is to establish the presence and to make morphological and morphofunctional characteristic of ЕС cells in the developing gastrointestinal tract of a human. Materials and methods: Our study was performed with biopsy specimen from human stomach and duodenum and fragments of gastrointestinal tract of human embryos 6th gestation week, studied by immunohistochemical, electron microscopy and morphometric methods. Results: EC cells have already been differentiated in the 6th gestation week. Embryonic EC cells had identical characteristics with those of adults. They were in two morphofunctional conditions: stage of increased synthesis and stage of relative secretory rest. Conclusion: In the early embryonic period - 6th gestation week EC cells have already been differentiated. The occurrence of EC cells with hormonal production prior to the definitive differentiation of tissues presupposes participation of serotonin in the digestive tube histogenetic processes.