Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L., Elaeagnaceae.) is a thorny shrub that has small, yellow to dark orange, soft, juicy berries. Due to hydrophilic and lipophilic ingredients, berries have been used as food and medicine. Sea buckthorn (SB) oil derived from berries is a source of valuable ingredients for cosmeceuticals. The unique combination of SB oil ingredients, in qualitative and quantitative aspects, provides multiple benefits of SB oil for internal and external use. Externally, SB oil can be applied in both healthy and damaged skin (burns or skin damage of different etiology), as it has good wound healing properties. Due to the well-balanced content of fatty acids, carotenoids, and vitamins, SB oil may be incorporated in cosmeceuticals for dry, flaky, burned, irritated, or rapidly ageing skin. There have been more than 100 ingredients identified in SB oil, some of which are rare in the plant kingdom (e.g., the ratio of palmitoleic to γ-linolenic acid). This review discusses facts related to the origin and properties of SB oil that make it suitable for cosmeceutical formulation.

The medlar (Mespilus germanica) is a deciduous tree that belongs to the Rosaceae family. This plant has been valued throughout history for its culinary uses and medicinal applications. Medlar fruit contains a high amount of vitamin C, carbohydrates, and pectin, making it a valuable remedy for treating scurvy. In folk medicine, medlar is used to treat constipation and other digestive issues. This study investigates the quantitative composition and seasonal variation in phenolic compounds in flowers, leaves, and fruits of Mespilus germanica L. using high performance liquid chromatography, as well as total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The predominant class of phenolics in flowers were flavonols, with 52.5% of the total phenolic content. On the other hand, dominant phenolics in fruits were flavan-3-ols, with procyanidin B2 and epicatechin being most abundant, whereas in leaves, hydroxycinnamic acids were the most prevalent phenolic compounds. Seasonal variations were noted for analyzed compounds in various plant parts. This study highlights significant changes in the phenolic profile of M. germanica during various harvesting periods and suggests that both fruits and leaves are rich sources of bioactive compounds. However, its nutraceutical potential might depend on harvesting time.

Objective. The literature provides data on the antioxidant activity of different botanical parts of walnut (Juglans regia L., Juglandaceae) growing in various countries. This research has evaluated the antioxidant activity of pericarp (green husk) of unripe walnut fruit, originated from Sumadija region in Serbia. Methods. The methanol extract of walnut husk was characterized by the total phenol and tannin content, while antioxi­dant evaluation was done by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Results. It has been found that the antioxidant activity of walnut pericarp is within the range 25.32-79.35 % and is concentration dependent. The IC50 is 1.223 mg/ml. The total phenol content was 119.8 mg GAE/g and tannin 2.645 %. Conclusion. The investigated parameters of the green walnut pericarp from Sumadija region fit the range of values documented for different parts of walnut species growing in other areas in the world.

Background/Aim. Cyclamen hederifolium (C. hederifolium) Ait. belongs to the family Primulaceae, which includes 23 species of cyclamen, naturally distributed in the Central and Southern Europe, Western Asia and some parts of North Africa. This plant is considered highly poisonous and not suitable for human use. However, tuber extracts have been used in traditional medicine and homeopathy. The aim of this study was to investigate C. hederifolium growing naturally in Serbia for its metal content and biological activities (anti-oxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activity). Methods. Content of metals was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. We used several different assays for assessment of antioxidant activity of both aqueous and ethanol extracts of C. hederifolium: 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, 2,20-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, total reducing power assay (TRP) and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assay. The disk diffusion assay was used to investigate sensitivity of laboratory bacterial and fungal control strains against investigated extracts. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of C. hederifolium were examined on 4 different tumoral cell lines by in vitro MTT bioassay. Results. The presence of Mn, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, K, Cu was confirmed in aqueous and ethanol extract, as well as in whole tubers and soil, while Cr, Ni, Pb and Cd were not detected. Both aqueous and ethanol extract of C. hederifolium tubers showed antioxidant activity, that positively correlated to content of phenols and flavonoids in it. Aqueous extract was slightly superior in these terms than ethanol one. None of the tested extracts showed antimicrobial activity. Both investigated extracts showed cytotoxicity against four cancer cell lines 4T1, HCT116, CT26, LLC1, in the concentration range 15,625?2,000 ?g/mL. Ethanol extract showed stronger cytotoxicity than aqueous ex-tract. Conclusion. Seven metals were identified in the C. hederifolium tubers, extracts and soil. Both extracts exhibited antioxidant and cytotoxic activity.

The aim of this study is to investigate the chemical composition of ethanol, acetone extracts and essential oil of the roots and aerial parts of Sanguisorba minor subsp. muricata. Flavonoids and phenolic acids were identified as the main components in the studied extracts herein. Rutin and quercetin-3-sophoroside were found to be dominant flavonoids in both extracts. Although it was observed that the determined chemical compositions of the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts and roots of the plant species were quite different from the data obtained by Headspace measurement, as expected, the essential oils obtained from the species were found to be rich in mainly monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes. While salicylaldehyde, carvacrol and linalool were determined as the main components in the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of the species, the main components in the essential oil obtained from the roots were observed as borneol, myrtenol and α-campholenol.

Prescribing of drugs could be considered inappropriate if a drug and dose selected bear unbeneficial benefit/harm ratio to the patient (PIP - Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing), as well as if a drug that the patient needed was not prescribed (PPO- Potential Prescribing Omissions). This is a major public health problem, since it carries risk to the patient due to adverse drug effects, interactions or complications, but also creates major economic burden for both the patient and the healthcare system. The study was designed as a qualitative research method based on the principles of grounded theory. In order to obtain data, interviews were conducted with each of the respondents. Main factors that predispose for inappropriate prescribing in the elderly are: poor communication (physician-patient, physician - physician, physician - pharmacist), habits of physicians and patients, polypharmacy, lack of motivation, lack of time and avoidance of reference texts. High prevalence of inappropriate prescribing is unacceptable and unjustifiable. It is necessary to use the guidelines, established criteria, relevant and official publications during prescribing and administration of drugs, which should be regular supplement to clinical experience.