Scientists from the Siberian State Medical University have discovered the immunomodulatory properties of plants of the genus of bitter grass common in Siberia and the Far East.
According to the study's authors, the sugars found in aqueous extracts have a beneficial effect on the immune system, as they stimulate the activity of immune-competent cells in laboratory animals. They published the results of their study in the journal Molecules.
It is reported that immunomodulatory drugs, or rather drugs that enhance the immune system, are widely in demand. Scientists from the Siberian State Medical University were able to discover such properties in plants belonging to the genus of bitter grass. With pronounced immunomodulatory activity, certain types of polysaccharides do not contain pyrogenic impurities and do not have a toxic effect on phagocytic cells (bacteria-eating cells), that is, they are relatively harmless to the human body in effective therapeutic concentrations, which allows them to be considered a promising material for the development of a new drug.
It is reported that bitter grass (Saussurea) is a genus of perennial plants from the Asteraceae family, and there are about 450 different species that grow throughout Eurasia and North America. Specialists from the Siberian State Medical University said: “Due to its spread and effectiveness, bitter grass is often used in folk medicine.” , either individually or in herbal formulations.
Experts explained that the therapeutic effect of this plant is that it is a choleretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic, because it contains various biologically active compounds.
A group of scientists at the Siberian State Medical University and the Russian Goldberg Institute for Pharmaceutical Research, in cooperation with their colleagues from the American University of Montana, studied the high molecular components of the bitter herb, such as water-soluble sugars. Some species of the genus Saussurea have been studied, and their polysaccharides have shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cell-protective effects.
Within the framework of this study, scientists focused on the bitter herb (Saussurea salicifolia) and the bitter herb Frolovii (Saussurea frolovii Ledeb). It has been proven that giving polysaccharides isolated from the aqueous extract of these plants to mice enhances the activity of some bacteria-eating cells, which helps strengthen the immune system. Experts explained that these cells in mammals capture and digest foreign particles, such as bacteria.
Mikhail Belousov, head of the “Targeted Therapies” project at the Siberian Medical University, said: “We have found that the most effective polysaccharides that show activity are extracted at pH = 6. The polysaccharide belonging to the xyloglycan class is considered the main component in polysaccharides, regardless of the type.
He also pointed out that the polysaccharide fractions isolated from plants of the sweet and bitter genus, first contribute to increasing the production of nitric oxide in antigen-presenting cells (“defensive cells”), which is one of the body’s most effective functions in biological interactions and participates in the development of innate and specific immunity. , and protection from infectious disease pathogens.
Methods that have proven effective in reducing cholesterol levels
The level of cholesterol in the blood can be reduced by following a specific diet without the need to take medications.
Dr. Vadim Zakiyev, a cardiologist, says in an interview with Gazeta.Ru: “Doctors currently have a fairly wide range of medications, such as: statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, and inclisiran. However, drug therapy is always added to the diet. Some patients can be content with following A specific diet to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood without the need to take medications. This has been proven by following the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet. Both diets rely on reducing the proportion of animal fats, such as: fatty meats, butter, processed meats, and fatty dairy products, in exchange for increasing From vegetables, fruits, nuts, vegetable oils, especially olive oil, and fatty fish.
In addition to following a specific diet, physical activity helps reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood. But if the cholesterol level is high, it cannot be reduced by diet and physical activity without special medications, as in this case they complement each other.
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