Nurgali Rakhymbayev

Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. is a member of the Asteraceae family that has traditionally been used as a medicinal and edible plant. Scientific interest in this species is associated with its diverse phytochemical composition and potential biological activities.

The genus Abutilon (Malvaceae) comprises taxonomically and phytochemically diverse medicinal plants with a long history of ethnomedicinal use. This critical narrative review integrates evidence on the taxonomy, traditional applications, phytochemical composition, pharmacological activities, molecular mechanisms, safety, and pharmaceutical potential of Abutilon species, incorporating the literature published through September 2026. Flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenoids, phytosterols, polysaccharides, and fatty acids represent major reported constituent classes, although the reliability of their identification and quantitative characterization varies among studies. A. indicum and A. theophrasti remain the most extensively investigated species. Experimental findings support preliminary antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, and other biological activities, predominantly in biochemical, cellular, and animal models. Mechanistic investigations have reported modulation of NF-κB/MAPK signaling, inflammatory mediators, glucose-regulatory processes, and oxidative stress-related responses; however, direct molecular target validation remains limited. Pharmaceutical studies have explored tablets, phytosomal formulations, and plant-mediated nanoparticles, but evidence of improved systemic bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy, and long-term safety remains insufficient. Toxicological findings indicate preparation- and dose-dependent responses, while controlled clinical evidence is extremely limited. Methodological heterogeneity, incomplete chemical standardization, and limited pharmacokinetic characterization further restrict cross-study comparisons and therapeutic translation. Future research should prioritize authenticated botanical materials, chemically standardized preparations, reproducible dose–response studies, direct mechanistic validation, comprehensive toxicological assessment, and appropriately designed clinical investigations. Overall, Abutilon represents a potentially valuable source of pharmacologically active natural products, but current evidence does not establish standardized clinical applications.

Food adulteration and species mislabeling represent important challenges for food safety, regulatory control, and consumer protection, particularly for products requiring species-specific authentication. This study investigated two complementary analytical approaches relevant to meat authentication: species-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) for the molecular detection of porcine mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and Fourier-transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometric analysis for exploratory assessment of slaughter-related compositional changes in a controlled murine proof-of-concept model. A total of 85 commercially available Halal-labeled meat products, including sausages, cutlets, minced meat, dumplings, raw meat, and seasoning products, were analyzed for the presence of porcine mitochondrial DNA. Under the applied qualitative assay conditions, porcine mitochondrial DNA was detected in 64 of 85 analyzed samples (75.3%). This finding is specific to the investigated sample set and does not distinguish intentional formulation or substitution from unintended cross-contact or other potential sources of porcine-derived DNA. In parallel, FT-NIR spectroscopy over the 10,000–4000 cm⁻¹ spectral range was evaluated as a rapid, non-destructive approach for assessing compositional changes associated with blood removal in a controlled murine model. Principal component analysis of standard normal variate (SNV)-preprocessed spectra demonstrated separation between blood-retained and blood-drained tissues; the first principal component (PC1) and the second principal component (PC2) accounted for 93% and 4% of the total spectral variance, respectively. The spectral regions contributing most strongly to the observed separation were associated predominantly with O–H- and N–H- related vibrational features, consistent with variation in major tissue constituents such as water and proteins. These findings illustrate the complementary information provided by species-specific molecular detection and exploratory spectroscopic profiling. Further validation in commercially relevant livestock species and independent sample sets is required before a combined analytical workflow can be established.

Abutilon theophrasti Medic. is a widely distributed species belonging to the Malvaceae family. It represents a potential source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Despite the species’ pharmacological significance and its widespread distribution, information on the diagnostic pharmacognostic characteristics of A. theophrasti Medic. remains limited, and no such studies have previously been conducted on raw materials growing in Kazakhstan. The objective of this study was to ascertain the diagnostically significant morphological, anatomical, and histochemical characteristics of A. theophrasti Medic. in order to facilitate the identification and pharmacognostic standardization of medicinal plant raw materials. The subjects of the study were the plant’s aerial and underground organs, including leaves, stems, petioles, inflorescences, flowers, fruits, and roots. A comprehensive analysis of the raw material was conducted using a variety of analytical methods, including macroscopic, microscopic, and histochemical approaches. The study’s findings enabled the identification of characteristic features of the plant’s aerial and underground organs through macroscopic analysis. Microscopic examination revealed diagnostically significant characteristics of the species A. theophrasti Medic., including an anomocytic stomatal apparatus, numerous simple and stellate trichomes, calcium oxalate druses, and characteristic anatomical features of the leaf, stem, sepals, and root. Taken together, these characteristics form a diagnostic complex that can be used to identify this species. Histochemical analysis revealed the localization of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and trace amounts of essential oil in the tissues of the leaf petiole and root. However, alkaloids, starch, and sesquiterpene lactones were not detected. The identified morphological, anatomical, and histochemical data serve to supplement the information on the diagnostically significant characteristics of the species, carrying practical importance for the quality assessment of plant raw materials.

Octadecyldimethylamine oxide (C18DAO), an amphiphilic quaternary ammonium compound, was investigated as a potential promoter of hair growth. The research analyzed both the physicochemical properties of surface films and their bioactive effects on cultured hair follicle dermal papilla cells of human origin at low micromolar concentrations. Exposure to C18DAO promoted cell proliferation, upregulated the production of fibroblast growth factors FGF-7 and FGF-10, and stimulated hair follicle elongation in organ culture. Immunochemical analysis revealed the activation of key signaling pathways, including ERK, AKT, and CREB, as well as increased levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. In vivo experiments using C57BL/6 mice showed that topical application of C18DAO accelerated the transition into the anagen phase and promoted more rapid hair regrowth. These findings indicate that C18DAO can enhance the regenerative capacity of hair follicles and may serve as a promising candidate for the development of novel topical therapies for alopecia. Moreover, the amphiphilic nature of C18DAO, which enables it to form highly ordered molecular films and interact with cell membranes, is likely a key factor in initiating proliferative and trophic signaling within the dermal papilla microenvironment. Further research is warranted to assess its long-term safety, determine precise molecular targets, and evaluate its therapeutic efficacy in clinical settings.

BACKGROUND: Providing the least costly, safe, and highly effective pharmacotherapy to patients with rheumatoid arthritis remains an urgent issue. AIM: This work aimed to develop approaches for optimizing drug provision for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (using the city of Almaty as an example). METHODS: This work used the information resources of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan; reports from the Almaty City Rheumatology Center, the State Register of Medicinal Products of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Clinical Protocol for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis No. 12 dated September 29, 2016; wholesale prices for medicinal products, antineoplastic agents, and immunomodulators (anatomical therapeutic chemical groups L01, L04) provided by the City Rheumatology Center; and statistical indicators accumulated based on data from the World Health Organization and the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan. RESULTS: The highest disease prevalence (60%) was observed among working-age patients aged 35–55 years, whereas only 0.36% of the medicinal products used belonged to biologic agents. The cost ranking (ascending order) of adverse drug reaction therapy was as follows: adalimumab, etanercept, rituximab, tocilizumab, golimumab, and infliximab. With regard to additional cost expenditures, the leading agents (based on the lowest cost of the treatment course) were golimumab, rituximab, and infliximab. The lowest total treatment cost across all treatment stages (in ascending order) was identified for etanercept, adalimumab, and infliximab. CONCLUSION: Strengthening physician-led patient education regarding treatment strategies is necessary to improve adherence among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. To expand therapy options, the inclusion of etanercept in the guaranteed free medical care list must be considered. To reduce expenditures for medicinal provision, producing biologic agents in the Republic of Kazakhstan is required.

The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition of the CO2 extract obtained from the underground part of Ferula asafoetida L., a plant widely used in traditional Kazakhstani medicine, with a particular focus on the amino acid and fatty acid profiles. Materials and methods. The plant material was collected in accordance with current Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) guidelines and underwent thorough pre-processing. A subcritical CO2 extraction method was applied to preserve thermolabile and volatile components while minimizing solvent residues. Chemical analysis was performed using GC-MS, and the amino acid and fatty acid profiles were determined by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) based on standardized methods. Results. The resulting CO₂ extract had a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (90.2 %), primarily oleic acid (46.1 %) and linoleic acid (43.0 %), along with a complete set of 20 amino acids, including 25.92 % essential amino acids. The major bioactive compounds identified were 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, ethyl ester (18.61 %) and ethyl oleate (13.18 %), which have potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These findings suggest the extract’s suitability for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Conclusions. Although the extract shows promising potential for pharmaceutical applications, further verification through comprehensive pharmacological studies is necessary

Today, the development of pharmaceutical substances based on biologically active compounds from plants is highly relevant. In this context, it is of great importance to explore methods for the optimal extraction of biologically active substances from the raw material of the plant Euphorbia humifusa Willd., which grows in our country and is rich in biologically active compounds. Obtaining an extract that meets pharmacopoeial requirements, as well as determining the technological parameters of the plant raw material, is crucial for the research. This scientific article presents the results of the pharmaceutical and technological parameters of the raw material from the plant Euphorbia humifusa Willd. The purpose of this study. To determine the pharmaceutical and technological parameters of the aerial part of the plant Euphorbia humifusa Willd. Methods and Materials. The research material consisted of the leaves and stems of Euphorbia humifusa Willd. Pharmaceutical and technological parameters of the plant raw material were determined, including specific gravity (dу, g/cm³), bulk density (d₀, g/cm³), tapped density (dH, g/cm³), porosity of the raw material, voidage of the raw material, free volume of the raw material layer (V), and the absorption coefficient of the extractant (Х, ml/g). Results. The following parameters of the plant raw material were determined during the study: specific gravity (dу) – 1.31±0.017 g/cm³, bulk density (d₀) – 0.32±0.010 g/cm³, tapped density (dH) – 0.12±0.002 g/cm³, voidage – 0.75±0.014 g/cm³, porosity of the raw material – 0.60±0.005 g/cm³, and free volume of the raw material layer – 0.90±0.011 g/cm³. Additionally, pharmacopeial quality indicators of the plant raw material were established: moisture content, 7.95±0.05%; total ash, 6.63±0.12%; and ash insoluble in a 10% HCl solution, 1.25±0.10%. The contents of heavy metals, such as cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic, and radionuclides, such as strontium-90 and cesium-137, in Euphorbia humifusa Willd. were within permissible limits. Conclusion. Cadmium and mercury heavy metals were not detected in the composition of Euphorbia humifusa Willd., while the levels of lead and arsenic comply with the standards established in Pharmacopoeial Article 1.5.3.009 “Determination of Heavy Metals in Medicinal Plant Raw Materials and Herbal Preparations.”

Ferula asafoetida L. has been studied for centuries by many scientists as food products and in traditional medicine, which are relevant for Kazakhstan as well. Recent studies have shown that Ferula asafoetida L. has neuroprotective, memory-enhancing, digestive enzymatic, antioxidant, antispasmodic, hypotensive, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, antitumor, cytotoxic, and anthelmintic effects. The aim of this study is to determine the component composition by GC-MS method and to study the antimicrobial properties of Ferula asafoetida L. extract obtained by CO2 extraction, which grows in Kazakhstan. Materials and methods. To determine the possibility of using Ferula asafoetida L., we carried out the component composition of the extract obtained by CO2 extraction in subcritical conditions of the underground part of Ferula asafoetida L. by a certain GC-MS method and also investigated the antimicrobial effect of this extract. Results. The plant raw materials were collected in accordance with GACP requirements. Conducted subcritical CO2 extraction of plant raw materials showed a 2.5% extraction yield. The study of the component composition by GC-MS revealed 46.3% of sulfate compounds. The determination of antimicrobial activities showed high efficacy against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus subsp. Aureus, Bacillus subtilis subsp. Spizizenii), gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica) and fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger). Conclusions. The possibility of using the obtained CO2 extract of Ferula asafoetida L. in the field of pharmaceutical products as a substance and a drug that has a huge antimicrobial effect