Profitable and environmentally friendly: scientists have found sources of medicinal compounds in three plants common in Russia

Scientists from Tomsk State University, together with colleagues from St. Petersburg, Siberia and the Far East, found among plants common in Russia new sources of compounds that are in demand in pharmaceuticals, the production of dietary supplements and feed additives. They were able to discover 50 previously unidentified compounds in rheunutria, alfalfa and perilla, including polyphenols, which are widely used in medicine due to their anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant properties.

Researchers from the Advanced Engineering School of Tomsk State University (TSU AES) studied the composition of three types of herbs that are widespread in Russia: rhinenutria, alfalfa and perilla. Scientists discovered 194 chemical compounds, 50 of which were identified in these plants for the first time. Many of the substances found have medicinal properties, which will allow them to be used in pharmaceuticals, as well as for the production of dietary supplements and feed additives. RT was told about this by the press service of TSU. The results of the work were published in the Russian Journal of Plant Physiology and Siberian Bulletin of Agricultural Science.

Scientists from the All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR), the Advanced Engineering School of the Far Eastern Federal University, the Sakhalin Research Institute of Agriculture and the Siberian Federal Scientific Center for Agrobiotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences took part in the study.

“A huge number of medicinal herbs grow on the territory of the Russian Federation, but not all of them have undergone modern biochemical analysis. In order to use plants economically, expand the base of plants that we can use, and increase the environmental friendliness and profitability of production, we need to move to even deeper processing of herbs,” Kirill Golokhvast, acting director of TSU NSP, explained to RT the significance of the work.

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To study the chemical composition of plants, the authors of the work used the method of tandem mass spectroscopy. It allows you to determine the ratio of the charge of ions (charged atoms. – RT.) to their mass. For each molecule this total indicator is individual. Tandem mass spectroscopy allows you to accurately determine the chemical composition of any sample.

In the extract of perilla seeds (the plant is widespread and even used in Asian cuisine), scientists discovered derivatives of 4-hydroxycoumarin. They are natural anticoagulants, meaning they prevent the formation of blood clots. The authors of the work compiled the first complete list of secondary metabolites (end products of metabolism. – RT ) of perilla. This will make it possible in the future to find practical use of this plant in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Scientists have found formononetin in the weed weed, which is used to prevent obesity, cancer and dementia. Previously, only the roots of this plant were studied. It has now been discovered that the stems and leaves contain more polyphenols and other beneficial substances. This opens up wide opportunities for the use of rheunutria as a pharmaceutical raw material, since the preparation of leaves and stems is simpler and cheaper than rhizomes.

The third plant studied, alfalfa, has long been used as a forage crop. Its seeds consist of about a third of protein and also contain vitamins, oils and other valuable compounds.

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To study the plant, experts used carbon dioxide. The products obtained using this solvent do not require additional purification, the researchers noted.

Scientists first discovered astragalin in alfalfa, which stops the growth of tumors, protects and restores cells, normalizes blood glucose levels, stimulates cardiac activity and has other therapeutic and preventive properties.

“Alfalfa has long been used as a feed crop, but our research helped create a more complete biochemical analysis of it, which expands the possibilities for selection and breeding varieties with special properties,” concluded Golokhvast.