The composition of an ethanol extract from the roots of Rumex tianschanicus Losinsk of the Trans-Ili Alatau wild flora was studied in order to determine its antiulcer activity. The phytochemical composition of the anthraquinone–flavonoid complex from (AFC) R. tianschanicus revealed the presence of numerous polyphenolic compounds, the most abundant of which are anthraquinones (1.77%), flavonoids (6.95%), and tannins (13.39%). The use of column chromatography (CC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in conjunction with UV, IR, NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry data allowed the researchers to isolate and identify the major components of the anthraquinone–flavonoid complex’s polyphenol fraction: physcion, chrysophanol, emodin, isorhamnetin, quercetin, and myricetin. The gastroprotective effect of the polyphenolic fraction of the anthraquinone–flavonoid complex (AFC) of R. tianschanicus roots was examined in an experimental model of rat gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin. The preventive and therapeutic effect of the anthraquinone–flavonoid complex at a dose of 100 mg/kg was analyzed using intragastric administration per day for 1 to 10 days, followed by a histological examination of stomach tissues. It has been demonstrated that prophylactic and prolonged use of the AFC R. tianschanicus in laboratory animals resulted in significantly less pronounced hemodynamic and desquamative changes in the epithelium of gastric tissues. The acquired results thus offer fresh insight into the anthraquinone and flavonoid metabolite component composition of R. tianschanicus roots, and they imply that the examined extract can be used to develop herbal medicines with antiulcer activity.

Rheum cordatum Losinsk is a plant species distributed in Kazakhstan but remains relatively understudied despite its promising biological potential. The present study aimed to explore leaf extracts of R. cordatum by utilizing advanced green extraction technologies including supercritical CO₂ (ScCO₂), subcritical ethanol (Sc) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) to characterize their phytochemical composition and evaluate their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. A total of 53 phytochemical compounds were identified, with gallic acid (30.71 µg/mg UAE-EtOH-4h), rutin (21.93 µg/mg ScCO₂-150) and hesperidin (14.98 µg/mg ScCO₂-150) being notably abundant. Among the tested extracts, ScCO₂ extraction at 150 bar (ScCO₂-150) demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity, exhibiting IC₅₀ values of 0.0132 mg/mL (DPPH) and 0.0462 mg/mL (ABTS), coupled with the highest total phenolic content (140 mg GAE/g). Moreover, the ScCO₂-150 extract showed pronounced antimicrobial efficacy, particularly against Bacillus subtilis Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 125 to 250 µg/mL. These findings highlight the considerable potential of R. cordatum leaves as a valuable, abundant and sustainable source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents, with supercritical CO₂ extraction presenting substantial advantages in selectively obtaining bioactive phytochemicals.

In terms of prevalence, thyroid pathology, associated both with a violation of the gland function and changes in its structure, occupies one of the main places in clinical endocrinology. The problem of developing low-toxic and highly effective herbal preparations for the correction of thyroid hypofunction and its complications is urgent. Salidroside is a glucoside of tyrosol, found mostly in the roots of Rhodiola spp., and has various positive biological activities. The purpose of this study was to study the antihypothyroid potential of salidrosid-containing extract from R. semenovii roots, which was evaluated on a mercazolyl hypothyroidism model. We showed that extract containing salidroside is a safe and effective means of hypothyroidism correction, significantly reducing (p ≤ 0.001) the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone and increasing the level of thyroid hormones. The combined use of R. semenovii extract with potassium iodide enhances the therapeutic effect of the extract by 1.3-times.

Climate change and progressive aridification represent a substantial threat to the sustainability of wild medicinal plant resources in Central Asia. Rheum tataricum L.f. (R. tataricum), a mesoxerophytic species with high pharmacological potential and a restricted distribution range, was selected as a model for investigating adaptive responses to combined climatic and edaphic stress. Relationships among climatic parameters, soil agrochemical characteristics, anatomical and morphological traits, and the metabolomic profile of roots and rhizomes were analysed across six ecopopulations distributed along latitudinal and altitudinal gradients in southern and western Kazakhstan. To quantify population-level vulnerability to climatic stress, a Climate Sensitivity Index (CSI) was calculated. All investigated ecopopulations exhibited high climate sensitivity (CSI = 0.30–0.40), indicating persistent climatic stress. Significant altitudinal dependence was detected for such anatomical traits, as primary cortex thickness, as well as for the accumulation of tannins, anthraquinones, and flavonoids. The metabolomic profile was strongly associated with seasonal precipitation, temperature, relative air humidity, soil agrochemical properties, and root elemental composition. These findings demonstrate pronounced anatomical and metabolomic plasticity in R. tataricum, which appears to function as a key adaptive mechanism in arid ecosystems. The results provide a scientific basis for sustainable bioprospecting, conservation of natural populations, and targeted cultivation aimed at obtaining specific metabolomic profiles.

This study investigated interspecific and intraspecific polymorphism in Rheum (Polygonaceae) from Kazakhstan using the inter-primer binding site (iPBS) retrotransposon marker system. The results revealed considerable variation in the level and nature of genetic polymorphism both within and among Rheum species and ecopopulations across different regions of Kazakhstan. Rh. compactum and the ecopopulation Rh. tataricum from the Zhambyl Region (ZH) exhibited the lowest levels of polymorphism, supporting their designation as conservation priorities. Genetic differentiation analysis among species and ecopopulations identified clear distinctions, resulting in the formation of well-defined clusters with high bootstrap support. Minimal genetic distances were observed between the two ecopopulations of Rh. tataricum, along with a high degree of intraspecific genetic homogeneity in Rh. compactum and Rh. nanum. A distinct genetic divergence between Rh. compactum and the other taxa was detected, reinforcing its status as a separate species rather than a synonym of Rh. altaicum. The iPBS markers proved effective for investigating genetic variation in Rheum, offering valuable insights for future studies aimed at understanding the evolutionary history of the genus.

Assessment of the composition of peripheral blood cells and red bone marrow in preclinical studies is a key component of program for analysis of biologically active compounds obtained from the plant materials. Current study concerns effect of the complex extract from Rumex plants (R. confertus, R. tianschanicus, R. thyrsiflorus) on parameters of blood cells and bone marrow of laboratory animals. During the study, data were obtained on the effect of the extract on hematopoiesis when administered at 100 mg/kg of animal weight. The results obtained show that application of the extract is accompanied by a statistically significant increase in the number of neutrophil precursors, such as myeloblasts and band neutrophils (p≤0.05). According to our results the extract we obtained from Rumex plants does not cause inhibition of early bone marrow precursors and is safe and non-toxic.