Genistein is an isoflavone first isolated from the brooming plant Dyer’s Genista tinctoria L. and is widely distributed in the Fabaceae family. As an isoflavone, mammalian genistein exerts estrogen‐like functions. Several biological effects of genistein have been reported in preclinical studies, such as the antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral activities, the effects of angiogenesis and estrogen, and the pharmacological activities on diabetes and lipid metabolism. The purpose of this review is to provide up‐to‐date evidence of preclinical pharmacological activities with mechanisms of action, bioavailability, and clinical evidence of genistein. The literature was researched using the most important keyword “genistein” from the PubMed, Science, and Google Scholar databases, and the taxonomy was validated using The Plant List. Data were also collected from specialized books and other online resources. The main positive effects of genistein refer to the protection against cardiovascular diseases and to the decrease of the incidence of some types of cancer, especially breast cancer. Although the mechanism of protection against cancer involves several aspects of genistein metabolism, the researchers attribute this effect to the similarity between the structure of soy genistein and that of estrogen. This structural similarity allows genistein to displace estrogen from cellular receptors, thus blocking their hormonal activity. The pharmacological activities resulting from the experimental studies of this review support the traditional uses of genistein, but in the future, further investigations are needed on the efficacy, safety, and use of nanotechnologies to increase bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.

One of the most known species of the genus Vaccinium (Ericaceae) is Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. or lingonberry. Leaves are included in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation (XIV-th edition) and the State Pharmacopoeia of the Republic of Belarus (II-nd edition). The aim of this review is an analysis of data about a chemical content and types of pharmacological activities of Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. to discuss the tendency of future investigations on this plant. The main parts of works describe researches of chemical contents of fruits as medicinal and edible plant material. The majority of researches describe results of in vitro experiments. A significant interest is the study of the neuroprotective activity of the Vaccinium vitis-idaea extracts as well as their anti-cytokine and antiapoptotic properties and metabolic effects. The main biologically active compounds are phenologlycosides, tannins, proanthocyanes, saponins etc. These results will be of great significance for the development of new drugs from this plant and use along with the fruits of other parts of the plant.

For many years, plants have been used in the traditional medicine of different cultures. The biennial plant of the family Asteraceae, Onopordum acanthium L., also known as Scotch thistle, is used in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and cardiotonic agent. The plant is widespread in the world; it grows in Europe and Asia and was introduced to America and Australia. Stems and buds of the first-year plant are used in cooking as an analogue of artichoke in European cuisine. Additionally, inflorescences contain a complex of proteolytic enzymes “onopordosin”, which may be used as a milk-clotting agent in the dairy industry. The chemical composition of the aerial part and roots of O. acanthium is represented by flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, lignans, triterpenoids, sesquiterpene lactones, and sterols. The anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and cardiotonic properties of the plant have been confirmed by pharmacological experiments with extracts and individual compounds using in silico, in vitro, and in vivo methods. This work is a review of information on the chemical composition and pharmacological studies of O. acanthium as a promising medicinal plant.

The unique biological properties of A. annua have stimulated the research on its cultivation in different regions of the world. In this study, the effect of the Se and nano-Si supply on the yield, biochemical characteristics and mineral content of A. annua was investigated. Growth stimulation and a significant increase in the antioxidant status were recorded under Se and nano-Si foliar application. A decrease in the number of essential oil components and significant changes in the essential oil amount and composition led to significant phenophase shifts: nano-Si significantly stimulated eucalyptol and artemisia ketone accumulation and decreased germacrene D production, whereas Se demonstrated the opposite effect. A joint Se and nano-Si supply significantly decreased the camphor content and increased artemisia ketone and artemisinin levels by 1.3–1.5 times. Se/Si supplementation affected the macro- and microelements content, causing either a redistribution of leaves/stems elements (Al, Li and Zn) or a significant decrease in Ca, Mg, K, B, Cu, Fe and Mn concentrations in leaves, with no signs in growth inhibition or a decrease in the photosynthetic pigments content. The biofortification of A. annua with Se singly or in combination with nano-Si resulted in the synthesis of products with a Se content of as much as approximately 16% of the daily adequate Se consumption level (ACL) when using 5 g day⁻¹ as a spice, or 36% of ACL when using 50 mL of tea infusion (1:2, v/w). The results indicated a high possibility of Se and nano-Si application toward the regulation of A. annua growth, biochemical characteristics (including essential oil and artemisinin) and mineral content.

(1) Background: Two Caucasian blueberries Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. are famous berry bushes growing in the Caucasus region and used to treat neurological diseases, but the chemistry and bioactivity of leaf extracts are still poorly studied. (2) Methods: Phenolic compounds of V. myrtillus and V. arctostaphylos leaf extracts were profiled and quantified by HPLC–PDA–ESI–tQ–MS. The neurotropic potential of Vaccinium extracts was studied using the model of middle cerebral artery permanent occlusion to determine cerebral blood flow, the area of the brain tissue necrosis, and antioxidant enzyme activity (including superoxide dismutase, succinate dehydrogenase, and cytochrome C oxidase), as well as the concentration of TBARS. (3) Results: Hydroxycinnamates and flavonoids were identified in the leaves of V. myrtillus and V. arctostaphylos, and the dominant metabolite of both extracts was 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid in the amount of 105–226 mg/g. The studied extracts enhanced the cerebral hemodynamics and decreased the frequency of necrotic and lipooxidative processes in the brain tissue, accompanied by an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The positive effect of V. arctostaphylos was stronger and exceeded the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba standardized extract. (4) Conclusion: The leaf extracts of Caucasian blueberries V. myrtillus and V. arctostaphylos as a new source of hydroxycinnamates demonstrated a protective effect of the brain ischemia pathology and can be used as therapeutic agents to treat neurological diseases.

Comparative phytochemical and pharmacological analysis of leaves and shoots of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. and endemic of Transcaucasia and North Caucasia Arctostaphylos caucasica Lipsch. was carried out. Phenolic compounds in methanol extracts were investigated by HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS. Pharmacological investigation was carried out at the models of generation of superoxide, DPPH, hydroxyl and nitrosyl radicals. The antityrosinase properties were evaluated in the reaction of tyrosinase inhibition using L -tyrosine as a substrate. Five new compounds were identified in the shoots and leaves of A. uva-ursi: 4,6-di-О-galloylglucose; 2,3-di-О-galloylglucose; 1,4,6-tri-О-galloylglucose; 1,2,4,6-tetra-О-galloylglucose; tetra-О-galloylhexose. Thirty-five phenolic compounds and two saponins were identified for the first time in A. caucasica. Water-alcohol extract (70% ethanol) from A. caucasica had the highest antiradical activity. Water extracts from both species had antityrosinase activity and possessed comparable efficiency (IC₅₀ = 36.4 ± 1.2 µg/ml and IC₅₀ = 35,5 ± 2 µg/ml, respectively). Graphical Abstract