Summary Increasing knowledge of the gut microbiota and its interference in human homeostasis in recent years has contributed to a better understanding of number of different interactions occurring in the gastrointestinal tract. Disruption of the microbiota is detrimental to health and contributes to the development of numerous diseases and may also be an accelerator of pathophysiological processes such as atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide, so the development of new methods to support the treatment and prevention of these diseases becoms one of the priorities of modern medicine. Probiotics may constitute an important element of support in the treatment and prevention of CVD (cardiovascular diseases). A number of papers support such a statement, however, larger clinical trials are needed. Through a number of mechanisms including mitigating inflammation, sealing the intestinal epithelium, and affecting metabolism, probiotics may have a beneficial effect on general health and slow down the pathogenesis of many diseases, including those affecting the cardiovascular system. This article contains a review of current discoveries on the role of probiotics in the prevention and support of CVD treatment.

Summary Introduction Carica papaya L. belongs to Caricaceae family. It is an evergreen tree or shrub with usually unbranched trunk. Previous studies on the methanolic leaf extract of this plant proved the antibacterial, cytotoxic, anticancer and antioxidant effects indicative of promising therapeutic potentials. Methods Chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques along with high performance liquid chromatography quantitative analysis were performed to isolate, tentatively identify and quantify polyphenolic compounds in MeOH extract of C. papaya leaves. UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS and UHPLC-DAD methods were adopted for qualitative and quantitative analysis respectively. In the case of polyphenol separation, some reference substances were isolated by preparative HPLC. Results Six polyphenols were isolated and quantified from C. papaya leaf extract, including three phenolic acids: derivatives of caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid and three flavonoids: quercetin dirhamnosylhexoside, kaempferol dirhamnosyl-hexoside, quercetin 3-O-rutinoside. Among them quercetin dirhamnosyl-hexoside was significantly higher (1.9 mg/g extract) than other identified compounds. Conclusion The results of present study provide a new data on polyphenols composition of C. papaya plant derived from Uganda and promote research on its possible standardization and use as a dietary supplement and/or herbal medicine.

Summary Introduction: There are many scientific reports on the beneficial effects of epigallocatechin gallate and resveratrol on the human body, e.g. antioxidant properties, a protective effect on the circulatory system and reduction of inflammation. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of these substances on the survival of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in the presence of the pro-apoptotic factor staurosporine. Methods: Cell viability WST-1 colorimetric assay. Results: It was confirmed that both 25 µM/ml and 50 µM/ml of epigallocatechin and 50 µM/ml of resveratrol statistically significantly increased the MSC survival rate. Conclusion: An excess supply of epigallocatechin gallate (50 µM/ml and higher) has a cytotoxic effect on MSC, which may have a negative impact on the body’s auto-regenerative capacity. Under toxic and stressful conditions, resveratrol and epigallocatechin gallate perform cytoprotective functions, thereby reducing the negative impact of toxic environmental conditions on the mesenchymal stem cells.

Summary Introduction: Bauhinia variegata is used in traditional medicine in Pakistan. Objective: The present study was designated to analyze phytochemical screening and cytotoxicity assay of crude aqueous and methanol extracts of flowering buds of Bauhinia variegata. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of both extracts were performed by using standard protocols while brine shrimp lethality assay was conducted for cytotoxicity analysis of both extracts. Results: The highest levels of phenolics, flavonoids and terpenoids were observed in methanol extract with respective standard drugs. The aminoacid content was highest followed by phenol and flavonoids in crude aqueous extract of the raw materials. In cytotoxic studies (brine shrimp lethality assay) the use of methanol extract was reported as potent with LD50 of 241.778 µg/ml as compared to aqueous extract with LD50 of 489.7061 µg/ml. Conclusion: This study reveals that the presence of bioactive compounds in both extracts are responsible for the treatment of various ailments and being utilized by the traditional folks as a food as well. And showed that methanol extract possess cytotoxic activity and thus needs further scientific intervention for its value addition.

Summary Introduction: Kidney stone is a major public health problem. Over 5% of the population is affected by kidney stones, with causes a lifetime risk of transmitting renal lithiasis of about 8 to 10%. Objective: The goal of our study is the attitude and awareness of lithiasis patients regarding the use of medicinal plants in eastern Morocco. Methods: We carried out a study on lithiasis patients to retrospectively identify medicinal plants used in this disease, using a pre-established questionnaire. The study was carried out from 10 December 2017 to 28 February 2018. Results: Our survey describes several medicinal plants used to treat renal lithiasis in eastern Morocco. Most patients used Herniaria hirsuta L., Zea mays L., Urtica dioica L., and Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss. This preliminary study showed that the first reason to use medicinal plants in half of lithiasis patients is to calm the pain and expel the stones. The primary source of plant use information is oral tradition. However 67% of lithiasis patients are unaware of the harmful and toxic effects that can appear. Conclusion: Medicinal plants must, like medicines, comply with strict requirements and standard rules of use to which only the specialist in herbal medicine can respond and sensitize people to the dangers of irrational consumption of medicinal plants.

Summary A global society, including developed countries, continues to struggle with fatal diseases that are difficult to treat with Western medicine. A variety of infectious diseases have existed for ages, but in Africa they had been limited thanks to the Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) prior to the introduction of cosmopolitan medicine. Influenza virus repression has been demonstrated by a number of herbal antivirals, yet the invaluable therapeutic potential of herbal medicine has been underestimated. Despite various reliable methods offered by Western medicine, the globally destructive COVID-19 pandemic requires a successful fight. The wisdom of African IKS used in tackling epidemics that have broken out in the past is brought to mind again. Pneumonia – a COVID-19 symptom, could be treated with polyherbal fomentation. Selected plants cultivated across Nigeria for hydrotherapy are under consideration to be used in proper doses. Given the potential associated with IKS, a multi-disciplinary approach involving experts in phytomedicine, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, plant physiology and ecology is necessary to unlock the therapeutic potential of traditional medicine.

Summary Plants have been used to prepare herbal infusions for centuries. Production of herbal tea consists of several steps, beginning with harvesting, cleaning form residues, drying, storage of herb in a suitable material, grinding, and blending. Te plants grow in different regions and climatic conditions, varying by their physical properties. They are consumed for different purposes and due to their chemical constituents. Many of them have therapeutic effects. Besides their various benefits and even antimicrobial effects, they also carry some microorganisms. Thus, the botanical characteristics and effects on the health of frequently consumed herbal teas and recommendations on their consumption with considered microbial risks are reviewed in this article.

Abstract IntroductionInstitute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants (INF&MP) is involved in gathering and evaluation of genetic resources of flax (Linum usitatissimumL.), hemp (Cannabis sativaL.) and medicinal plants, because Poland has signed the Convention on Biological Diversity. Field trials were carried out in 1990–2001 in the Experimental Station in Wojciechów located in Opolskie region. The research material was accessions of genetic resources from the collection of flax, stored at the Institute of Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute in Radzików near Warsaw.ObjectiveThe aim of the publication was to evaluate the following biological features of flax: time of beginning of flowering and vegetation period to yellow maturity.MethodsThe characteristics data for flax accessions are presented according to the methodology of development of the International Flax Database. Each flax accessions from the world collection of flax genetic resources received one of the following assessments of two vegetation periods: very short, short, medium, long and very long. Descriptors of biological features of flax were used, presented in “List of flax descriptors (L. usitatissimumL.)” edited by Janka Nozkova, published in 2011. These descriptors are used to develop the International Flax Database, which in turn helps in the rapid evaluation of theL. usitatissimumgenetic resource collection. Carrying out a detailed characterization of biological features ofL. usitatissimumaccessions is very helpful for breeders in selecting genetic material for breeding new varieties of flax.ResultsThe following results were obtained from the time of the beginning of flowering and the vegetation period to yellow maturity. Time of beginning of flowering was the following: very short – 0 accessions, short – 97 accessions, medium – 20 accessions, long – 2 accessions and very long – 0 accessions of flax. The genotypes tested were characterized by the following results in terms of vegetation period from sowing to yellow maturity: very short – 0, short – 37, medium – 62, long – 0 and very long – 0 accessions of flax.ConclusionsTime of beginning of flowering and the vegetation period to yellow maturity shall be revalorised to the International Flax Database for thoseL. usitatissimumaccessions that did not receive the same assessment of the biological features tested in the two or three years of the study.

Summary Introduction: Arnica flowers are used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. According to EMA only endangered Arnica montana provides the medicinal plant material. However, some European countries also allow the use of A. chamissonis flowers, whose chemical composition is not known in detail. Objective: The aim of the study was to recognize and compare the chemical composition of A. montana and A. chamissonis flowers collected from plants cultivated in Poland. Methods: HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS analysis comprised phenolic acids, flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones. Results: Thirty eight flavonoids and phenolic acids were recognized and quantified, with patuletin, 6-methoxykaempferol and quercetin present only in A. chamissonis flowers. Moreover, helenalin and acetyl-dihydrohelenalin were identified. Conclusion: A. montana and A. chamissonis flowers from plants grown in Poland possess similar composition of simple phenols and polyphenols, present in concentration slightly higher in A. montana. Helenalin and dihydrohelenalin esters identified in arnica flowers from various regions of Europe were not detected.

Summary Introduction: Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is a common spice and precious herbal plant in Vietnam. It contains many bioactive compounds, especially phenolic compounds useful for human health. Hence, the extraction and application of these compounds in medical technology are necessary. Objective: The goal of this study is to determine the optimal extraction conditions with the assistance of microwave, for instance solvent/material ratio (ml/g), solvent concentration (%, v/v) and extraction time, on the extraction yield of ginger rhizome, such as total polyphenol content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity (AC). Methods: The dried sample was extracted by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). TPC and AC of received extract were measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and phenanthroline assay. The optimization process used response surface methodology (RSM) (Central composite face design, CCF) with major influencing factors including solvent concentration, solvent/material ratio and extraction time. Results: The results showed that the optimal extraction conditions were the ethanol concentration of 60%, ethanol/material ratio of 48.6/1 (ml/g), extraction time of 1 minute. Conclusion: The maximum TPC and AC peaked at 27.89±1.99 mg GAE/g dry matter and 12.24±0.04 mmol Fe/g dry matter (DM) at optimal extraction conditions. Besides, some factors strongly affected the extraction yield and interacted together.