This article considers modern approaches to obtaining synthetic oil from unconventional hydrocarbon feedstocks, including plastic waste, tires, biomass, coal, and extra-heavy oil. Particular attention is paid to multi-stage technologies, such as pyrolysis, catalytic depolymerization, gasification followed by Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, and hydrocracking of heavy residues. The important role of catalysts in increasing the selectivity and economic efficiency of processes is noted: nanostructured, bifunctional, and pollution-resistant systems are increasingly used. Economic factors influencing the competitiveness of this industry are considered, including the volatility of prices for traditional oil, government support measures, and the development of waste logistics infrastructure. It is emphasized that the strengthening of the position of synthetic oil is associated with the growth of environmental requirements stimulating the recycling of plastics, tires, and biomass; at the same time, compliance with high environmental standards and transparency of emission control play a critical role in the social aspects of projects. In addition to improving the environmental situation, the development of synthetic oil contributes to the creation of jobs, the resolution of problems of shortage of classical oil fields, and the increase of energy security. It is concluded that further improvement of technologies and integration into industrial clusters can turn this sphere into a significant component of the future energy sector.

The Chamaenerion genus, particularly Chamaenerion angustifolium and Chamaenerion latifolium, is recognized for its rich phytochemical composition and extensive medicinal properties. These species are abundant in polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, which contribute to their potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of their phytochemical constituents, with an emphasis on how processing methods, including fermentation, influence bioactivity. Notably, fermentation enhances the levels of key bioactive compounds, such as oenothein B, gallic acid, and ellagic acid, thereby increasing their pharmacological potential. Additionally, this review evaluates the biological activities of Chamaenerion species in relation to their chemical composition, while also considering the limitations of current studies, such as the lack of in vivo or clinical trials. The literature for this review was sourced from scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, covering research from 2010 to 2024. Future studies should focus on optimizing extraction methods, elucidating synergistic bioactivities, and conducting in-depth clinical trials to validate their efficacy and safety.

Prunus ulmifolia Franch. (Rosaceae) was investigated for its phytochemical composition from South-Eastern Kazakhstan for the first time. HPLC analysis confirmed rutin (0.88%) in ethanol extract, and the extract also exhibited antioxidant activity. The GC/MS analysis identified total 44 components from main groups e.g. oxygenated monoterpenes (51.06%), oxygenated sesquiterpenes (20.33%), non-terpene derivatives (18.71%), and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (7.89%), and the maximum content was of acyclic alcoholic monoterpenoid citronellol (36.58%). The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) from previous reports and present study was used to demonstrate the variations between essential oil compositions in different Prunus species. It formed three main clusters, cluster I consisted of species with benzaldehyde as dominant component. Cluster II included plants with benzaldehyde as secondary component, and cluster III was of P. ulmifolia in which benzaldehyde was not detected. Further, the essential oil was assessed for cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities too, and it showed better cytotoxic but poor antimicrobial activities. Graphical Abstract

Background/Objectives: For the first time, water-soluble encapsulated forms of 20-hydroxyecdysone were synthesized as clathrate complexes with β-cyclodextrin. The derivatives included a ketoxime form (20-NOH), obtained by selective oximation of the C-6 carbonyl, and a triacetate form (3Ac-20E), obtained by regioselective acetylation of the C-2, C-3, and C-22 hydroxyl groups. Methods: The chemical structures of the obtained compounds were confirmed using spectroscopic methods, including ¹H and ¹³C NMR. The Z-configuration of the oxime in 20-NOH was established by the diagnostic upfield shift in the C-5 resonance (δ 36.0 ppm) relative to the parent compound (δ 51.4 ppm). Results: The antioxidant activity was evaluated using FRAP and DPPH assays. The β-cyclodextrin complexes were shown to exhibit significantly higher radical scavenging activity, with IC₅₀ values of 10 mg/mL). Conclusions: The obtained results indicate that β-cyclodextrin complexes significantly enhance the biological activity of 20E and highlight the potential of these compounds for pharmaceutical applications.

One of the urgent challenges is to clean up industrial wastewater from toxic and heavy metal ions in a more efficient and environmentally friendly way. Bentonite montmorillonite, bentonite red, zeolite and diatomite of the Almaty region were selected as the materials of the study. In this study was investigated the adsorption properties of natural minerals by physico-chemical methods for the sorption treatment of wastewater from Pb+2, Ni+2, Zn+2 ions. X – ray phase analysis determines the chemical composition of the materials studied. The main component of diatomite is SiO2, in zeolite – Laumontite composition Ca4Al8Si16O48·14H2O (51.3 %). The base of bentonites is bedellite – montmorillonite, which has an amorphous structure. The method of atomic absorption spectrometry was used to investigate the sorption of heavy metal ions (Pb+2, Ni+2, Zn+2) by the natural adsorbents under investigation. Bentonites, Mukra and Medium Tentec have the best sorption properties. Here, the content of lead, nickel and zinc ions is reduced by an average of 82–85 %. In the case of diatomite, the ion content of the same metals is reduced by approximately 74–76 %, and for zeolite by 64 %. Generally speaking, the adsorption properties of these minerals are expected to be achieved by the high porosity in the case of diatomite and zeolite or the penetration of ions into the interpackage space between the bentonite layers. Mixing adsorbents, increasing their mass percentages and increasing the mass of the mixture leads to increased efficiency of the degree of cleaning from these ions. In conclusion of the study, natural minerals of the Almaty region have sorption properties that can be used for practical purposes, in particular for wastewater treatment Однією з актуальних проблем є очищення промислових стічних вод від іонів токсичних та важких металів більш ефективним та екологічним способом. Як матеріали дослідження були обрані бентоніт монтморилоніт, бентоніт червоний, цеоліт і діатоміт Алматинської області. У цій роботі досліджувалися адсорбційні властивості природних мінералів фізико-хімічними методами для сорбційного очищення стічних вод від іонів Pb+2, Ni+2, Zn+2. Рентгенофазовим аналізом визначено хімічний склад досліджуваних матеріалів. Основним компонентом діатоміту є SiO2, цеоліту – ломонтит складу Ca4Al8Si16O48·14H2O (51.3 %). Основою бентонітів є бейделліт-монтморилоніт, що має аморфну структуру. Методом атомно-абсорбційної спектрометрії було проведено дослідження з сорбції іонів важких металів (Pb+2, Ni+2, Zn+2) досліджуваними природними адсорбентами. Кращими сорбційними властивостями мають бентоніти родовищ Мукри та Середній Тентек. Тут вміст іонів свинцю, нікелю та цинку зменшується в середньому на 82–85 %. У разі використання діатоміту вміст іонів цих же металів зменшується приблизно на 74–76 %, для цеоліту на 64 %. Загалом очікується прояв адсорбційних властивостей цих мінералів, які мають забезпечуватися внаслідок високої пористості у разі діатоміту та цеоліту або проникнення іонів у міжпакетний простір між шарами бентонітів. Змішування адсорбентів, збільшення їх масових часток та підвищення маси суміші призводить до підвищення ефективності ступеня очищення цих іонів. Визначено, що природні мінерали родовищ Алматинської області мають сорбційні властивості, які можна використовувати в практичних цілях, зокрема для очищення стічних вод

Betulinic acid-derived human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) maturation inhibitors connect natural-product medicinal chemistry with inhibition of capsid–spacer peptide 1 (CA–SP1) processing. This critical narrative review examines how chemical modifications relate to target structure, conformational dynamics, antiviral activity and development limitations. C-3 pharmacophore replacement and modification of the C-28/C-17 region improved antiviral breadth and exposure, but improved cellular potency alone did not establish clinical differentiation. Cryo-electron microscopy, microcrystal electron diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance support engagement of the CA–SP1 six-helix bundle and restriction of its dynamics. Molecular simulations offer an ensemble-based explanation whose interpretation depends on assembly state, cofactors, sampling and experimental validation. Binding kinetics and cleavage measurements provide particularly informative connections between molecular observations and antiviral activity. Later-generation compounds demonstrate that broader susceptibility coverage and favorable pharmacokinetics must be evaluated alongside tolerability, resistance and regimen requirements. Progress therefore depends on aligning compound identity, relevant target assemblies, experimentally constrained dynamics, and functional processing and exposure, while retaining negative and discordant findings.