The study of medicinal plants is important, as they are the natural reserve of potent biologically active compounds. With wide use in traditional medicine and the inclusion of several species (as parts and as a whole plant) in pharmacopeia, species from the genus Salvia L. are known for the broad spectrum of their biological activities. Studies suggest that these plants possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiangiogenic, hepatoprotective, cognitive and memory-enhancing effects. Phenolic acids, terpenoids and flavonoids are important phytochemicals, which are primarily responsible for the medicinal activity of Salvia L. This review collects and summarizes currently available data on the pharmacological properties of sage, outlining its principal physiologically active components, and it explores the molecular mechanism of their biological activity. Particular attention was given to the species commonly found in Kazakhstan, especially to Salvia trautvetteri Regel, which is native to this country.

Medicines, their safety, effectiveness and quality are indispensable factors of national security, important on a global scale. The COVID-19 pandemic has once again emphasized the importance of improving the immune response of the body in the face of severe viral infections. Plants from the Salvia L. genus have long been used in traditional medicine for treatment of inflammatory processes, parasitic diseases, bacterial and viral infections. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of plant extracts LS-1, LS-2 from Salvia deserta Schang. and LS-3, LS-4 from Salvia sclarea L. plants growing in southern Kazakhstan by conventional and ultrasonic-assisted extraction, respectively. The cytotoxic effects of the named sage extracts on neonatal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFn) were evaluated using the MTT assay. Immunomodulatory effects of the studied extracts were compared by examining their influence on pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and phagocytic activity of murine immune cells. Depending on the physiological state of the innate immune cells, sage extracts LS-2 and LS-3 had either a stimulating effect on inactivated macrophages or suppressed cytokine-producing activity in LPS-activated macrophages. The greatest increase in TNF-α secretion was found after treatment of spleen T lymphocytes with sage extract LS-2, obtained by ultrasonic-assisted extraction.

In major wheat-growing regions, rust diseases and common bunt significantly reduce wheat productivity, especially in years with favorable conditions for phytopathogen development and limited resistant cultivar use. Thus, the development of genetically resistant wheat cultivars carrying combinations of valuable resistance genes is an effective strategy to mitigate these losses. In this study, 156 advanced winter wheat breeding lines were evaluated for resistance to yellow (stripe) rust, leaf (brown) rust, and common bunt under an artificial infection background. Concurrently, molecular screening was performed using DNA markers to detect rust (Yr5, Yr10, Yr15, Lr9, Lr34/Yr18, and Lr37/Yr17) and common bunt resistance genes (Bt8, Bt9, Bt10, Bt11, and Bt12). Based on the integrated analysis of phenotypic and DNA marker-based molecular data, fourteen and five lines resistant to common bunt and yellow rust, respectively, were identified, and alleles associated with resistance were also detected. Notably, one line (9909) exhibited high resistance to both rust diseases and common bunt. These selected advanced breeding lines represent promising candidates for the development of wheat cultivars with enhanced disease resistance, thereby supporting sustainable productivity in wheat-growing regions.

Introduction: Watermelon and pumpkin are traditional melon crops cultivated in Kazakhstan and many countries worldwide. The recent decade has seen an increase in the production and consumption of melon crops due to growing consumer interest in healthy eating. There is a significant demand for watermelon juice production, not only because of its organoleptic properties like color, taste, and aroma, but also due to significant bioactive compounds such as carotenoids (lycopene), flavonoids, phenolic compounds, amino acids, and vitamins. Utilizing local melon crops to develop new types of mixed juices is a relevant and promising direction.Purpose: To develop a recipe for the production of mixed juice based on melon crops (watermelon).Materials and Methods: The objects of study were mixed juices based on watermelon juice. The obtained watermelon juice samples were characterized by nutritional value, determined amino acid composition, and vitamin and mineral content. Organoleptic, physicochemical, and microbiological indicators of the juices were studied.Results: A recipe for mixed juice based on watermelon was developed using apple, pumpkin juices, and diffusion juice of rose hips. Organoleptic, physicochemical, and microbiological indicators of the juices were studied. The juice samples have original organoleptic indicators, a uniform consistency, a harmonious, well-balanced taste, and a bright color. Physicochemical research showed that the titratable acidity of the analyzed juices is within 0.9-1.9 mmol H+/100 g, active acidity - 3.9-4.3 pH units. Yeast and total microbial counts are within sanitary standards and regulations, molds and coliforms not detected. Adding rosehip juice positively affects the content of vitamins C, B1, and B3, increasing by 47%, 14%, 23% respectively. Besides vitamins, mixing juices also significantly increases the content of arginine, methionine, proline, and magnesium.Conclusions: As a result of the conducted research, a recipe for mixed juice based on watermelon with the addition of pumpkin juice and diffusion rosehip juice was developed. The mixed juice is a valuable source of bioactive compounds, providing a refreshing and strengthening effect on the body. Watermelon processing will solve the problem of processing melon raw materials and expand the range of domestic beverages with high nutritional and biological value.

Kazakhstan possesses considerable potential for the development of organic agriculture. In organic production systems, the use of chemical plant protection products is restricted or completely excluded, making the cultivation of genetically resistant wheat lines to major fungal diseases one of the most effective approaches for maintaining stable grain production. The current study aimed to evaluate disease resistance in wheat genotypes by integrating phenotypic screening and marker-assisted selection and their validation under organic farming conditions. A total of 50 facultative and introgressive wheat lines were evaluated under an artificial infection background for resistance to yellow rust, leaf rust, stem rust, and common bunt. Molecular marker analysis was performed to identify resistance-associated alleles. Integrated phenotypic and molecular analyses enabled the identification of three promising genotypes, namely 1675-52, 1723-32, and 1716-24. They combined a high level of resistance to yellow rust and common bunt with the presence of resistance-associated alleles. These selected genotypes were subsequently validated under organic field conditions. The results demonstrated that these lines maintained stable resistance to yellow rust and common bunt and produced seed yield ranging from 5.45 to 5.94 t/ha, exceeding that of the standard cv. Almaly (4.88 t/ha). The obtained results confirm the effectiveness of integrating phenotypic screening with marker-assisted selection for identifying wheat genotypes with complex disease resistance. These genotypes represent promising prebreeding resources for organic agriculture, subject to validation across a wider range of environments.