Pharmacognosy with the Basics of Plant Biochemistry - Kovalyov V. M. 2004

Special Part
Vitamins
Medicinal plants and raw materials containing various groups of biologically active substances

FRESH KALANCHOE SHOOTS — CORMUS KALANCHOES RECENS

Bryophyllum — Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers., syn. Bryophyllum pinnótum Lam., fam. Crassulaceae

Air plant; the name originates from the Chinese plant name kalanchoe; bryophyllum comes from the Greek brýein meaning 'to grow' and phúllon meaning 'leaf'.

A perennial evergreen succulent herbaceous plant. The stem is erect, sturdy, fleshy, 50–150 cm tall, and often woody at the base. Leaves are opposite, short-petioled, thick, succulent, elliptic or ovate, with obtusely dentate margins; initially simple, they later become compound and pinnate with three to five elliptic leaflets. The inflorescence is a multi-flowered panicle. Flowers are bisexual; the calyx is greenish-white-pink, bell-shaped, 2–4 cm long, with four triangular pointed Teeth; the corolla is 4–4.5 cm long, featuring a greenish elongated tetrahedral tube. The fruit is a follicle.

Distribution. Native to tropical Africa. Cultivated in the tropics of Asia, America, and Australia. In Ukraine, it is grown as an annual crop in greenhouses.

Harvesting. The raw material consists of plants that have reached a height of 45–65 cm, with slightly woody lower stem parts and newly emerged upper pinnate leaves. The shoots are cut with a knife at a height of 3–4 cm from the ground. Harvesting is carried out three times a year. Prior to Processing, the raw material is kept in a dark place for seven days at a Temperature of 5–10 °C.

Chemical composition of the raw material. The aerial PARTS OF THE plant contain Polysaccharides, Lectins, catechins, Flavonoids, organic acids (malic, oxalic, citric, acetic), Enzymes (dehydrase, carboxylase, etc.), ascorbic acid, and Trace Elements.

Biological activity and application. Kalanchoe juice exhibits antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and promotes tissue regeneration. It is used for treating non-healing wounds and bedsores, as well as in surgical, dental, and obstetrical-gynecological practice.

FRESH LIVELONG HERB — HERBA SEDI MAXIMI RECENS

Greater stonecrop — Sedum maximum (L.) Hoffm., fam. Crassulaceae

Tall stonecrop; the name derives from the Latin sedare meaning 'to alleviate' or 'to soothe pain'; maximus, -a, -um means 'very large' or 'largest'.

A perennial succulent herbaceous plant. Roots are spindle-shaped and thickened. Stems are robust, straight or arcuate at the base, branched at the top, green or purple, 40–80 cm tall. Leaves are succulent, fleshy, flat, opposite (sometimes lower leaves are alternate or clustered in threes), sessile, oblong-elliptic, distinctly sinuate, 4–13 cm long and 2–5 cm wide. The inflorescence is a dense corymbose panicle 5–10 cm in diameter. The calyx is three times shorter than the corolla. The corolla is pinkish-white, polypetalous, with five petals. The fruit is an aggregate follicle. Seeds are small, brown, oblong-ovate, about 0.5 mm long.

Distribution. Grows in forests among shrubs, scattered across the Polissia and Forest-Steppe regions, predominantly west of the Dnieper River.

Harvesting. The flowering plant is cut using knives or pruning shears, excluding coarse parts. The material is loosely packed in 15–20 kg lots into boxes with openings in the side walls and lid. It should be stored for no more than a day, though immediate processing is preferable.

Chemical COMPOSITION OF THE raw material. The herb contains piperidine Alkaloids (such as sedamine), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, isorhamnetin and their Glycosides), catechins, Coumarins (coumarin, esculetin), phenolcarboxylic acids, arbutin, Tannins, organic acids, Vitamin C, polysaccharides (15.4%), the specific sugar sedoheptulose, and trace elements.

Biological activity and application. Biosed, an aqueous extract prepared from preserved fresh herb, exhibits biostimulatory, general tonic, and anti-inflammatory effects.

CHAGA (BIRCH MUSHROOM) — FUNGUS BETULINUS

Sterile form of the phytopathogenic fungus Inonotus obliquus (Pers.) Pil., fam. Hymenochaetaceae

Chaga, black birch mushroom

Plant description. A perennial parasitic fungus developing on birch trunks as growths whose shape depends on The Nature of the injury through which infection occurred. Fungal spores penetrate the wood at damaged bark sites and destroy it. Hard, black growths appear at the infection site, gradually increasing in size with a bumpy surface and numerous shallow cracks. Most often, they are rounded, elongated, or spherical with irregular contours, up to 30–40 cm long and 10–15 cm wide.

A cross-section reveals three layers: the outer layer is black, very hard, 1–2 mm thick, and heavily cracked; the middle layer is dense, brownish-dark, with fine yellow streaks of varying thickness that become more numerous toward the interior and usually extend throughout the growth to the tree trunk; the inner layer is decayed, brown or yellowish, extending deep into the tree as wood rot. The growth period of the fungus is 10–15 years, and its weight can reach up to 5 kg.

Distribution. Found throughout the forest zone of Europe and Asia. It develops on living mature birch trunks, and less frequently on alder, rowan, elm, or maple.

Harvesting. It can be harvested year-round, but autumn through spring is preferred when chaga is not obscured by foliage. The growths are chopped off along the tree trunk, the decayed inner part is removed while retaining the outer and hard middle parts, and the phloem is cleaned off. Growths from dead or drying trees are unsuitable, as are large, old, brittle specimens found near the base of old trees that are black throughout their thickness. To facilitate rapid drying, chaga is chopped into pieces up to 10 cm long and dried in dryers at temperatures not exceeding 60 °C. The raw material spoils quickly in damp rooms.

Chemical composition of the raw material. The main active constituents of chaga are considered to be Water-soluble, intensely colored chromogens formed from a complex of active aldehydes, polyphenols, hydroxyphenolcarboxylic acids, and Quinones. All these compounds are genetically linked to the hydroxyaromatic precursors of The Biosynthesis of tannins and Lignans found in birch bark and wood. The fruiting body of the fungus contains polysaccharides, free phenols, the triterpenoid inotodiol, sterols, organic acids, Lignin, and Cellulose. Humic-like substances consisting of high-molecular-weight oxycarboxylic aromatic acids have also been isolated. The antitumor activity is attributed to the presence of pterins, which are pteridine derivatives. Free pterin is a fragment of Folic acid and certain pigments.

Biological activity and application. Befungin, a semi-thick extract enriched with cobalt salts, is used as a general tonic and analgesic agent for Chronic gastritis, gastrointestinal dyskinesia accompanied by atonia, and gastric ulcers. It is also prescribed to Cancer patients to improve their overall condition.

FRESH BRYONY ROOTS — RADICES BRYONIAE RECENS

White bryony — Bryonia alba L., fam. Cucurbitaceae

White bryony; the name comes from the Greek bryein meaning to grow or turn green (referring to the green, persistent shoots), and the Latin albus, -a, -um meaning white.

Plant. A perennial herbaceous monoecious vine with a thick, fleshy, turnip-shaped, thickened ROOT up to 50–70 cm long and 3–4 cm in diameter, yellowish on the outside and white within. Stems are numerous, climbing, equipped with spirally coiled tendrils 5–6 cm long. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, ovate, five- to seven-lobed, with a cordate base and coarse teeth. Flowers are unisexual (the plant is monoecious), regular, arranged in axillary inflorescences; staminate flowers are gathered in racemes, while pistillate ones form corymbs. The corolla is sympetalous, yellowish-white, with a five-parted spreading limb. The fruit is a juicy, berry-like, spherical black berry 8–10 mm in diameter, containing four to six black, ovate, flattened, wrinkled seeds. It blooms in June–July, and the fruits ripen from July to September.

Distribution. Found throughout Ukraine, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, most commonly in forest and forest-steppe regions along river valleys, among shrubs, on mountain slopes, and near fences; occasionally found as an adventive or naturalized weed in the southern and western Regions of the European part of the CIS.

Harvesting. Wild stocks are limited; therefore, harvesting must be coordinated with state environmental protection agencies. Roots of two- to three-year-old plants are dug up either before flowering (April–May) or in autumn. Soil is carefully shaken off, the aerial parts are trimmed, and the roots are washed in cold water. They should be dispatched for processing on the day of collection. The plant is poisonous.

Chemical composition of the raw material. The roots contain triterpenoids, including cucurbitacins B, L, D (elatericin A), E (alpha-elaterin), I (elatericin B), and others; alkaloids (0.24%), essential oil (0.34%); Choline, 3-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids, Lipids, Steroids, flavonoids, coumarins, polysaccharides, and sucrose.

Biological activity and application. Loshtak (a tablet formulation) is used as a tonic, radioprotective, and immunomodulatory agent. The tincture of fresh roots exhibits analgesic and local irritant properties and was formerly a component of the Akofit preparation used to treat radiculitis, rheumatism, and neuritis.

In homeopathy, fresh roots are used for inflammatory conditions of the joints, Pleura, and Meninges, as well as Croupous Pneumonia, Pleurisy, and PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE.

COMFREY ROOTS — RADICES SYMPHYTĪ

Common comfrey — Symphytum officinale L., fam. Boraginaceae

Common comfrey; the name originates from the Latin METABOLISM/31.html">Transcription of the Greek plant name symphyton, derived from symphyein (to grow together), most likely alluding to the dense thickets formed by the plant.

Perennial herbaceous plant. It features a short rhizome with a thick (up to 2 cm in diameter at the top), fleshy, branched, wrinkled brownish-black root that is grayish-yellow when broken. The stem is erect, 40–100 cm tall, branched, and angular at the base. Leaves are large, alternate, harshly hairy, ovate-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate; the upper stem leaves are sessile, lanceolate, acute, and decurrent. Flowers are regular, drooping, arranged in scorpioid cymes at the apex of the stem and branches. The calyx is five-parted; the corolla is bell-shaped, five-lobed, directed upward, initially reddish-purple and turning yellowish-white by the end of flowering. The fruit is dry, breaking apart into four nutlets.

Distribution. Widely distributed across Europe, the Caucasus, Siberia, and Central Asia, growing in moist soils along river banks, in meadows, and among shrubs.

Harvesting. Roots are dug up in spring at the onset of vegetation (April–May) or in autumn after the aerial parts have died back. Soil is shaken off, and the roots are quickly washed in cold water to prevent mucilage release, then wilted, cut into pieces, and split lengthwise if necessary. They are dried in attics or under sheds in a 1–2 cm layer, or in dryers at temperatures of 45–50 °C.

Chemical composition of the raw material. The roots are rich in allantoin (up to 6%), which is structurally similar to purpurin; they contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (0.3%) such as viridiflorine and echinatine in the form of N-oxides, as well as triterpenes, phenolcarboxylic acids, CARBOHYDRATES (16%), and mucilaginous glycofructans.

Biological activity and application. Comfrey roots were used by Paracelsus for treating wounds, ulcers, and various bone disorders. The raw material is official in Eastern European countries. It is used exclusively externally as compresses and ointments for bone fractures, dislocations, sprains, and ligament tears (owing to the regenerative action of allantoin).

In homeopathy, fresh roots harvested before the plant begins to bloom are used for bone trauma, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and hemorrhoids.

Roots of a related species, prickly comfrey (Symphytum asperum), serve as a component in Zarenko's herbal mixture formula.

BEAN HUSKS — PERICARPIUM PHASEOLI; BEAN HERB — HERBA PHASEOLI

Common bean — Phaseolus vulgaris L., fam. Fabaceae

Common bean; the name comes from the Greek phaseolos (bean) and the Latin vulgaris (common).

Annual herbaceous plant. The stem is erect, branched, non-twining, and 30–80 cm tall (bush form). Leaves are long-petioled. Stems and leaf petioles are pubescent with spreading hairs; leaflets are trifoliate, with asymmetrical ovate lateral leaflets and triangular terminal leaflets that are rounded at the base and acute at the apex, 8–15 cm long, and short-hairy. Flowers are white, pink, or lilac, arranged in axillary racemes. The fruit is a legume (pod). Pericarps are hanging, 5–20 cm long, 1–2.5 cm wide, straight or slightly curved, glabrous or short-bristly, ranging from pale yellow to yellow.

Distribution. Native to South or Central America. Cultivated as a food crop throughout Ukraine.

Harvesting. The herb is collected during the fruiting period. The husks remain as a byproduct after harvesting the pods. The raw material is dried outdoors in the shade.

Chemical composition of the raw material. The herb contains flavonoids (kaempferol-3-glucuronide, quercetin-3-glucuronide, robinin); caffeic, ferulic, chlorogenic, and neochlorogenic acids; coumarins (umbelliferone, scopoletin, isoscopoletin, aesculetin); Amino Acids, and trace elements (copper, cobalt, nickel, silicon).

The pericarp is rich in nitrogen-containing compounds (amino acids, choline, trigonelline, the piperidine alkaloid pipecolic acid, allantoin), Higher Fatty acids, and the unsaturated dicarboxylic traumatic acid. Fresh unripe pericarp contains the toxalbumin phasin.

Pipecolic acid

Traumatic acid

Biological activity and application. Bean herb serves as a raw material for The production of glyphazine, a medication used for mild to moderate forms of Diabetes Mellitus and edema caused by Kidney diseases. The pericarp exhibits The properties of a "plant Insulin," lowering Blood glucose concentration, and is a component of the antidiabetic herbal mixture arfazetin.

BURDOCK ROOT — RADICES BARDANAE

Greater burdock — Arctium lappa L., syn. Lappa major Gaertn., fam. Asteraceae

Greater burdock; the name originates from the latinized plant name arktion (burdock); lappa is the Latin name for burdock.

The plant is a biennial herbaceous species. Roots are branched, fleshy, fusiform, greyish-brown on the outside and pale grey on the inside. The stem is erect, up to 2 m high, grooved, diffusely branched, and arachnoid-pubescent. Leaves are petiolate, alternate, ovate-cordate, acuminate, and thinly grey-tomentose underneath; basal leaves reach up to 50 cm in length, while upper leaves are significantly smaller. Flowers are bisexual, tubular, purple, arranged in globose capitula that form a racemose or corymbose inflorescence. The fruit is an achene.

Distribution. Found almost throughout Ukraine, occasionally in the southern steppe regions. It grows in gardens, orchards, waste areas, near dwellings, along roads, on the banks of rivers and streams, and in forests.

Harvesting. In autumn, roots of first-year vegetation plants are harvested; in spring, at the beginning of vegetation, roots of second-year plants are gathered. They are dug up with spades, shaken free of soil, and the aerial part and thin rootlets are cut off. The roots are washed in cold water, peeled, cut into pieces 10-25 cm long, split lengthwise if necessary, and dried outdoors or in an attic under an iron roof, or in well-ventilated rooms spread in a thin layer. Artificial drying is carried out at temperatures up to 50 °C.

Chemical composition of the raw material. The roots contain numerous polyacetylene Hydrocarbons, the primary ones being C₁₇-alkynes: tridecadiene-(1,11)-tetrayne-(3,5,7,9), tridecene-(1)-pentayne-(3,5,7,9,11), tridecatetrayne-(1,3,5,11)-diyne-(7,9), tridecatriyne-(1,3,11)-triyne-(5,7,9), and acetylene acid. The raw material also contains essential oil, a bitter sesquiterpene lactone of the germacranolide type (arctiopikrin), flavonoids, inulin (about 20%), fatty oil, and sulfur-containing compounds. Specific lignan glycosides, one of which is arctiin, have been isolated from the seeds.

Biological activity and application. Burdock root exerts diuretic, choleretic, antiseptic, and diaphoretic effects, stimulates the production of Proteolytic Enzymes and insulin, and actively influences metabolism. Certain polyacetylenes exhibit strong antibiotic and fungistatic activity, though they are unstable in their isolated state.

Externally, an infusion of the roots in provencal oil (Oleum Bardanae), known as "burdock oil," is used to treat alopecia areata, tinea versicolor, seborrhea, Hair loss, and to promote hair growth. "Burdock oil" is also obtained from other burdock species: woolly burdock (Arctium tomentosum L.), lesser burdock (A. minus L.), and wood burdock (A. nemorosum L.).

MUGWORT HERB — HERBA ARTEMISIAE VULGARIS

Mugwort — Artemisia vulgaris L., fam. Asteraceae

Mugwort, felon herb; named in honor of Artemisia, the wife of Mausolus, the King of Caria (circa 352 BC).

The plant is a perennial herbaceous species.

Rhizomes are nearly vertical, multi-headed, woody, cylindrical, with numerous brown adventitious roots. Stems are multiple; they are straight or ascending at the base, mostly paniculately branched, ribbed, and pubescent in the upper part. Leaves are alternate and pinnatifid; the apical leaves are three- to five-lobed or have an entire leaf blade, while the lower leaves are petiolate and stem leaves are sessile, dark green and glabrous above, and white-tomentose and pubescent underneath. Flowers are small, pink or reddish, contained in obovoid or elliptic capitula, which occur singly or in groups on short branches in the axils of linear-lanceolate leaves, forming paniculate inflorescences. The marginal florets of the capitula are female with a narrowly tubular, bidentate corolla, while the central florets are bisexual with a funnel-shaped, tubular, pentadentate corolla. The fruit is an achene. It blooms from July to August, and the fruits ripen in August-September.

Distribution. Distributed almost everywhere except for the Far North regions. It grows in meadows, at forest edges, in forest glades, along the banks of rivers and water bodies, on mountain slopes, among shrubs, and near human habitation as a weed, often forming dense thickets.

Harvesting. The herb is harvested at the beginning of flowering (July-August) by cutting off the tops of the stems and lateral branches up to 35 cm long and no more than 5 mm thick with a knife. The herb is tied into bundles and hung up or spread in a thin layer (5-7 cm) on paper or fabric. It is dried in the shade in a draft or in a well-ventilated room.

Chemical composition of the raw material. The herb contains essential oil (0.1-0.3%), which includes phellandrene, pinene, cineole, camphor, cadinene, thujone and its esters; the bitter sesquiterpene lactone psilostachyin; flavonoids (quercetin and isorhamnetin glycosides), rutin, Chalcones with an isoprenoid radical (cordoin, isocordoin and their derivatives); coumarins (umbelliferone, scopoletin, aesculin, aesculetin, etc.), polysaccharides, resinous substances, and tannins.

Cordoin

Isocordoin

Biological activity and application. The herb is official in many European and American countries as a bitter tonic to stimulate appetite. In experiments, it exhibits antitumor and antiulcer activity. It is widely used in Oriental medicine.

In homeopathy, the fresh herb with roots is used for Epilepsy, and in gynecology for uterine bleeding and threatened Miscarriage.

WHITE DEAD-NETTLE FLOWERS - FLORES LAMII ALBI

White dead-nettle — Lamium album L., fam. Lamiaceae

White dead-nettle (Lamium album)

A perennial, herbaceous, rhizomatous plant with soft pubescence. Stems are four-angled, erect, 15-50 cm tall. Leaves are opposite, petiolate, ovate or ovate-triangular, with a cordate base and a coarsely serrate margin, 3-12 cm long and 5-6 cm wide. Flowers are arranged in axillary whorls of 6-16, nearly sessile, with linear-subulate bracts. The calyx is tubular-campanulate, with five teeth. The corolla is bilabiate, white or yellowish-white, pubescent externally; its tube is short, curved, and hairy inside. Fruits are oblong-ovate olive-green nutlets.

Distribution. It grows sporadically in the western and right-bank regions of Ukraine, in forests, among shrubs, and in waste places. Industrial harvesting is carried out mainly in the forest and forest-steppe regions of Ukraine.

Harvesting. Flower corollas are collected by hand, pulling them out of the calyces during full bloom at the onset of wilting. They are packed loosely into containers and dried immediately under a canopy or in well-ventilated rooms, spread in a thin layer and stirred periodically.

Chemical composition of the raw material. The most important Class of BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES in white dead-nettle flowers is flavonoids (isoquercitrin, quercetin, kaempferol, astragalin); they also contain a significant amount of mucilage (up to 10%), Iridoids (lamiol, lamioside), saponins, tannins, essential oil, ascorbic acid, traces of alkaloids, chlorogenic, and gallic acids. Choline, histamine, and tyramine make a certain contribution to the pharmacological activity of the raw material.

R = H — Lamiol

R = CH₃CO — Lamioside

Biological activity and application. The raw material is imported into Western European countries, where it is used as a diuretic and hemostatic agent for hemorrhoids, urethritis, nephritis, and cystitis; it also exhibits a mild hypotensive effect, which is attributed to the presence of triterpene saponins.

LOVAGE ROOT — RADICES LE VISTICAE

Garden lovage — Levisticum officinale Koch., fam. Apiaceae

Garden lovage; the name originates from the Greek plant name libystikon; Latin officinalis, -e — medicinal, of the apothecary shop.

Plant. A perennial 1-2 m tall, with a thick rhizome up to 5 cm long and large, branched, fleshy roots up to 40 cm long and about 3 cm wide. The stem is erect, branched in the upper part, rounded, furrowed, fistular, with a bluish-gray bloom.

Leaves are sheathing: the lower ones are long-petiolate, large, bipinnate or tripinnate; the middle ones are smaller. Flowers are bisexual, regular, five-petaled, whitish-yellow, small, gathered in terminal compound umbels surrounded at the base by multi-leafed involucres. The fruit is a schizocarp (diachene).

Distribution. Native to the mountainous regions of Southern Europe. In Ukraine, it is cultivated as a spicy, essential-oil-bearing, and ornamental plant.

Harvesting. Roots are dug up in autumn when the plant reaches three to four years of age. The raw material is dried in the shade in the open air or in a warm room. Artificial drying is carried out at a temperature of 35-40 °C. The raw material is hygroscopic.

Chemical composition of agents. The essential oil content in the roots exceeds 1%. Its main components are phthalides (70%), among which ligustilide, 3-butylphthalide, cnidilide, and sedanolide have been identified; along with α- and β-pinene, α- and β-phellandrene, etc. In addition, the raw material contains coumarins (psoralen, bergapten), caffeic and chlorogenic acids, and β-sitosterol glucoside.

Ligustilide

3-Butylphthalide

Cnidilide

Biological activity and application. The raw material is official in European countries and possesses diuretic activity; the extract is a component of the medication Canephron, which is used for chronic kidney diseases.

PROPOLIS — PROPOLIS

Propolis (bee glue) is a waxy, resinous substance produced by worker bees. They collect it from trees, mainly poplar, birch, and willow, to seal and disinfect beehives. During the summer, one hive yields 100-150 g of propolis. Fresh propolis has a dough-like consistency, a dark yellow or red color, a pleasant odor, and a bitter taste. As a result of oxidation and Condensation, the raw material hardens and changes its color to a dark brownish-green. At 40 °C, propolis is plastic; upon cooling to 15 °C, it becomes brittle; its melting point ranges between 80-100 °C; it mixes easily with wax; it is insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol.

Chemical composition. Propolis has a heterogeneous composition that closely resembles the chemical makeup of poplar, birch, or willow buds, depending on the proportion of tree species near the apiary. It is rich in resinous substances (40-53%), Essential Oils (8-10%), and wax (23-30%), as well as Phenolic Compounds (14-16%), polysaccharides (2-2.5%), floral pollen impurities, and volatile compounds. Its biological activity is driven by flavonoids (pinobanksin and pinocembrin flavonols, chrysin flavones, galangin flavanol, etc.), sesquiterpenoids (betulene, betulenol), and enzymes. Trace elements such as manganese, copper, zinc, and cobalt also contribute to its overall activity.

Biological activity and Applications. Propolis exhibits a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities: bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties take precedence, alongside proven antimicrobial, antiviral, antimycotic, anti-inflammatory, and spasmolytic effects. These preparations enhance the body's immune defense.

Medical practice utilizes propolis tincture, the aerosol preparations Promisol and Proposol, and Propoceum ointment as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and reparative agents.

Some individuals exhibit hypersensitivity to propolis.

FLORAL POLLEN

Bee floral pollen

Floral pollen is classified as a secondary apicultural product. It contains Proteins, amino and Nucleic Acids, Nucleoproteins, enzymes, hormone-like substances, fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic), lipids and lipoids (including Phospholipids and sterols), Vitamins (carotenoids, tocopherols, ascorbic, pantothenic, folic, and nicotinic acids), phenolic and triterpene compounds, and mineral elements.

Bee pollen loads (corbiculate pollen) consist of pollen gathered by bees and processed with salivary gland secretions. The bees shape this pollen into pellets, transport them on their hind legs to the hive, deposit them into wax Cells, and seal them with honey. The chemical composition of pollen loads differs from loose floral pollen by having a higher concentration of biologically active compounds.

Under the action of enzymes and acids present in honey and bee saliva, pollen loads transform into bee bread, or perga. Perga shows an increased content of simple sugars, lactic acid, simple Peptides, and amino acids resulting from The breakdown of complex proteins.

Biological activity and preparations. Pollen exerts a regenerative effect on the Functions of the Liver, Kidneys, and digestive tract, and stimulates hematopoiesis. Both loose pollen and pollen loads help regulate Lipid Metabolism.

Pollen, pollen loads, and bee bread are recommended as dietary supplements for debilitated patients, children, and the elderly.

Polenapin consists of tablets containing pollen loads. The preparation is used to treat gastrointestinal and liver disorders, as well as a general tonic.

Micropol and Apicomplex contain pollen, royal jelly, propolis, and honey. These preparations are manufactured in the form of suppositories and cachets.

Cernilton comprises tablets containing pollen extract. It is used to combat general fatigue in the elderly, children, and convalescents, as well as in cases of chronic infectious diseases.

Administered in the form of tablets, capsules, and extracts, it serves as a tonic dietary Supplement. Preparations containing floral pollen are contraindicated in individuals with a predisposition to allergic reactions.