Substances of silver nanoparticles dialyzed through a 13 kDa membrane, synthesized in a medium of humic ligands modified with hydroquinone and 2-hydroxynaphthoquinone from PowHumus brown coal, specifically enhance the M2 properties of peritoneal macrophages due to inhibition of NO synthase and significant activation of arginase, thus enhancing anti-inflammatory properties of cells. In small, but effective concentrations, they do not have cytotoxic properties and do not contain pyrogenic impurities. The studied humates are able to influence the mechanisms of immune response formation and are an effective means for correcting inflammation and regeneration.

Introduction. Representatives of the Ericaceae family are quite common in Russia and are promising for the creation of new medicines of plant origin. At the same time, only 4 of them are official. The study of biologically active substances and pharmacological activity of Andromeda polifolia L., Chamaеdaphne calyculata (L.) Moench, Ledum palustre L., Empetrum nigrum L. with rich resource reserves is promising.Aim. Comparative study of the composition of total flavonoid fractions from A. polifolia, C. calyculata, L. palustre, E. nigrum and study of their effect on the NO-stimulating activity of peritoneal macrophagesMaterials and methods. The crushed aboveground part (leafy shoots) was previously depigmented with chloroform, treated with 70 % aqueous acetone, then acetone was removed. Flavonoids were extracted with ethyl acetate from the aqueous phase. The identification of flavonoids was carried out by HPLC (UltiMate 3000 chromatograph) according to the coincidence of retention times and spectral characteristics, the calculation of the content was carried out by simple normalization. The effect of the samples on nitric oxide production was studied on macrophages of C57BL/6 mice. Endotoxin control in the samples was carried out using a LAL test and cell incubation in the presence of polymyxin B.Results and discussion. The composition of flavonoid fractions from A. polifolia, C. calyculata, L. palustre and E. nigrum has been studied. 8 phenolic compounds were found in C. calyculata shoots, including isoquercitrin, herbacetin, naringenin and naringin – for the first time for this species. 5 compounds were detected in A. polifolia shoots, including isoquercitrin and herbacetin, for the first time for this species. 5 and 4 compounds were identified in L. palustre and E. nigrum shoots, respectively, while quercetin glycosides are predominant in all samples: isoquercitrin, hyperoside and rutin. The fraction of C. calyculata flavonoids at doses of 1, 5, 10 mcg/ml inhibits the production of nitric oxide by macrophages by 30 %, and E. nigrum flavonoids at doses of 100 and 200 mcg/ml, on the contrary, enhance the production of nitrites by macrophages by 33 and 37 %, respectively.Conclusion. A comparative study of the composition of total flavonoid fractions from A. polifolia, C. calyculata, L. palustre, and E. nigrum, which are capable of activating both M1 and M2 polarization of peritoneal macrophages in mice, has been conducted, which requires further in-depth study. The flavonoids C. calyculata and E. nigrum are promising for further study.

Objective: A polysaccharide complex (PSC) from the aboveground part of Saussurea salicifolia L. (SS) was isolated and studied to show that SS PSC contains 54.99 ± 0.53

The effect of polysaccharides isolated from the aboveground parts of Saussurea salicifolia (L.) DC on Th2 type immune response reactions was studied. Administration of water-soluble polysaccharides presented by arabino-galacturonans (weight average molecular weight 158.49 kDa) to mice against the background of experimental Th2 immunity reduced the severity of anaphylactic and local immediate type hypersensitivity reactions. It also suppressed the production of ovalbumin-specific IgE and IgG1 and increased the stability of mast cell membranes. The studied polysaccharide complex increased IFNγ secretion and inhibited IL-4 synthesis. These findings suggest that these polysaccharides may be considered as potential anti-allergic agents that suppress the development of allergy in its early stages.

Humic acids isolated by sodium pyrophosphate extraction from various types of peat activate macrophages in the classical proinflammatory pathway and stimulate nitric oxide production by these cells. This effect is mediated by activation of intracellular signaling pathways involving MAPK p38, PI3K, MEK 1/2 kinase, cAMP, and NF-κB via TLR-2 and TLR-4 receptors.

This paper reports the spectroscopic properties of phosphates KLuP2O7, Sr9Sc(PO4)7, K3Lu(PO4)2, doped with Pr3+ ions. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra under selective excitation with UV photons, PL excitation spectra, and decay kinetics of pulsed cathodoluminescence are studied. Recordings of luminescence spectra were done with non-irradiated samples and after their irradiation with fast electrons (E = 10 MeV) or fast reactor neutrons. Three typical channels of electronic excitations radiative relaxation have been identified: interconfigurational d−f transitions, intraconfigurational f−f transitions in Pr3+ ions and luminescence associated with defects. After irradiation, significant changes in the luminescence characteristics were observed: a redistribution of the intensity of the intraconfigurational d−f transitions, an increase in the luminescence yield of defects and the manifestation of new emission centers. The formation of radiation-induced defects presumably occurs due to the formation of complexes consisting of phosphorus and oxygen atoms.

Physicochemical and pharmacological properties of the humic substances from coal of the Kansk-Achinsk coal basin, the Pereyaslovskoe deposit, have been studied. The presence of polycyclic aromatic structures and aliphatic fragments with various functional groups as substituents (carboxyl, carbonyl and quinoid, phenolic, alcoholic, ether and ester, amino and amide) was established by means of UV, IR, 13C NMR spectroscopy, fluor-imetry, and elemental analysis. It has been determined by HPLC that coal humic substances are highly hydro-philic polydisperse biopolymers with medium molecular weights. According to the indicator of microbiological purity (category 3B), the content of microorganisms does not exceed the indicators required by the State Pharmacopeia of the Russian Federation (SPh XIV edition). The content of radionuclides, toxic metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic) corresponds to the norms (according to SPh XIV edition). The presence of 11 essential elements has been established. The studied humic substances belong to the V class of hazard (low-hazard sub-stances, according to GOST 32644-2014), do not have allergising properties and cytotoxic effect within a broad concentration range. Antioxidant, immunotropic, cytoprotective properties were established in the studies of specific pharmacological activity with various experimental models. The ability to inhibit free radicals such as hydroxyl radicals (HO.) and superoxide-anion radical (O2-. should be stressed, as these radicals are able to by-pass the endogenous antioxidant defense systems of the body. It is concluded that the studied humic substances of the Kansk-Achinsk coal basin, the Pereyaslovskoe deposit, are safe and effective biologically active sub-stances of natural origin for use as a promising biologically active substance in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Drug development & registration. 2022;11(2):59–64. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.33380/2305-2066-2022-11-2-59-64. Published: 25.05.2022.

The course administration of humic acids isolated with sodium pyrophosphate from raised bog sphagnum peat reduces the parameters of a Th1-type immune response in C57BL/6 mice, the severity of an anaphylactic shock in outbred CD1 mice, and degranulation of mast cells after their immunization with ovalbumin. The addition of humic acids increases the stimulated production of IL-4, IL-10 and reduces the production of IL-2, IFNγ by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy donors.

The course administration of humic acids isolated by the sodium pyrophosphate method from pine-sphagnum-cotton sedge peat reduced the general anaphylaxis reaction in mice and guinea pigs immunized with ovalbumin and decreased serum content of IgG1 and IgE in mice. The serum from mice treated with humic acids and sensitized with ovalbumin did not increase the rate of degranulation of mast cells isolated from intact Wistar rats in the presence of ovalbumin in comparison with the serum of control animals.

In this work luminescence properties of crystalline powders of Sr9Lu(PO4)7 doped with Pr3+ ions were studied upon excitation in UV range in temperature range 5-320 K. Photoluminescence spectra show intensive emission corresponding to radiative interconfigurational 5d→4f electronic transitions, weak narrow lines of intraconfigurational 4f→4f transitions as well as emission of two types of crystal lattice defects. Upon pulsed excitation, timing characteristics of emission related to the impurity center and defects were studied, as well as temperature dependence of emission yield. The processes of energy transfer between impurity center and defects are discussed.

Luminescent properties of Sr9Lu(PO4)7 crystalline powders doped with Pr3+ ions upon excitation in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum are considered. in the temperature range 5-320 K, are considered.. In the photoluminescence spectra, an intense glow corresponding to radiative interconfigurational 5d->4f-electronic transitions, weak narrow lines of intra-configuration 4f->4f-transitions, and also the emission of two types of crystal structure defects, are observed, Under pulsed electronic excitation, the temporal characteristics of emission associated with an impurity center and defects and the temperature dependence of the luminescence yield were studied. The processes of energy transfer between defects and an impurity center are discussed. Keywords: 5d->4f luminescence, energy transfer, decay kinetics, ion Pr3+

Introduction. The nitric oxide molecule is one of the most versatile, multifunctional mediators of biological reactions in the body. NO participates in the formation of innate and specific immunity, the inflammatory process and protection against infectious pathogens. It is known that polysaccharides of higher plants are widely used to activate pro- and anti-inflammatory reactions. Previous studies have shown the promise of a more detailed research in the immunomodulatory properties of plant polysaccharides of the genus Saussurea DC, the mechanisms of their immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory action depending on the origin and conditions of extraction. Aim. The aim of present research was to evaluate the dependence of the affection of the extraction parameters of water-soluble polysaccharides (WSPS) from the aerial parts of S. salicifolia (L.) DC., S. controversa DС., S. frolovii Lebeb. on NO synthase activity and peritoneal macrophages proliferation. Materials and methods. Chemical methods for the isolation of water-soluble polysaccharides, cultural and biochemical methods for assessing biological activity were used. Results and discussion. Water-soluble polysaccharides (WSPS) from plants S. salicifolia (L.) DC., S. controversa DС., S. frolovii Ledeb. obtained with different extraction parameters have the ability to enhance production of nitrites antigen-presenting cells in the same way as standard macrophage activator liposaccharide. Polysaccharides from S. controversa and S. frolovii at acidic extractant are free of endotoxin impurities. All water-soluble polysaccharide samples obtained using neutral and alkaline extractants contain endotoxin impurities. Samples from the S. controversa contained this impurity after extraction in an acidic extractant. Polysaccharide samples are not cytotoxic. Conclusion. It was stated that water-soluble polysaccharides from plants of the Saussurea genus using an acidic extractant do not possess cytotoxic properties, do not contain endotoxin impurities and significantly enhance the production of nitric oxide by macrophages. These samples used in a detailed study of the immunomodulatory properties and further development on their basis of new treatment methods various diseases that require correction and regulation of the functional activity of immune cells, including macrophages.

Introduction . Macrophages occupy a special place in the formation and coordination of the immune response, their population is characterized by heterogeneity, however, two main types are distinguished among them: pro-inflammatory (classically activated) macrophages M1, which are activated by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of bacteria, produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide (NO) and initiate an immune response, and anti-inflammatory (alternatively activated) macrophages M2, which are activated by such cytokines as interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-10 or IL-13 and are associated with suppression of the immune response and tissue healing. The proinflammatory properties of macrophages are most often associated with the activation of an intracellular signaling cascade with the participation of the IKK-2 kinase complex and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), which is the most important signal transduction molecule. Previously, the authors showed that humic acids (HA) of peat cause the appearance of pro-inflammatory properties in macrophages; however, the intracellular mechanisms of such activation have not been studied. Aim . Study of the contribution of the intracellular signaling cascade IKK-2/NF-κB to the activation of pro-inflammatory properties of macrophages by humic acids of peat. Materials and methods . The studies were carried out using cultural methods and western blotting. Results and discussion . It was shown that the addition of the IKK-2 inhibitor to the macrophage culture reduced the ability of HA to stimulate the production of nitric oxide by the cells. Western blotting revealed that after 30 minutes simultaneous incubation of HA with macrophages, the content of the NF-κB p65 molecule in the cells increased, after 60 minutes it decreased to the values of intact control, and after 17 hours it decreased 3 times compared to the control level. However, the IKK-2 inhibitor after a 30-minutes incubation did not have a blocking effect on the IKK kinase, whereas in an hour of the co-incubation of the cells with the inhibitor and substances, a decrease in the level of NF-κB p65 was observed. This trend continued in 17 hours. Conclusion. The stimulating effect of peat humic acids on macrophages is realized, among other things, due to the activation of the IKK-2 kinase complex with further release of the p65 subunit of the NF-κB molecule. The dependence of the degree of NF-κB activation on the period of interaction of the cell with activating agents is traced. HA start the intracellular signaling cascade of the nuclear factor NF-κB already within the first 30 minutes.

Introduction. The nitric oxide molecule is one of the most versatile, multifunctional mediators of biological reactions in the body. NO participates in the formation of innate and specific immunity, the inflammatory process and protection against infectious pathogens. It is known that polysaccharides of higher plants are widely used to activate pro- and anti-inflammatory reactions. Previous studies have shown the promise of a more detailed research in the immunomodulatory properties of plant polysaccharides of the genus Saussurea DC, the mechanisms of their immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory action depending on the origin and conditions of extraction.Aim. The aim of present research was to evaluate the dependence of the affection of the extraction parameters of water-soluble polysaccharides (WSPS) from the aerial parts of S. salicifolia (L.) DC., S. controversa DС., S. frolovii Lebeb. on NO synthase activity and peritoneal macrophages proliferation.Materials and methods. Chemical methods for the isolation of water-soluble polysaccharides, cultural and biochemical methods for assessing biological activity were used.Results and discussion. Water-soluble polysaccharides (WSPS) from plants S. salicifolia (L.) DC., S. controversa DС., S. frolovii Ledeb. obtained with different extraction parameters have the ability to enhance production of nitrites antigen-presenting cells in the same way as standard macrophage activator liposaccharide. Polysaccharides from S. controversa and S. frolovii at acidic extractant are free of endotoxin impurities. All water-soluble polysaccharide samples obtained using neutral and alkaline extractants contain endotoxin impurities. Samples from the S. controversa contained this impurity after extraction in an acidic extractant. Polysaccharide samples are not cytotoxic.Conclusion. It was stated that water-soluble polysaccharides from plants of the Saussurea genus using an acidic extractant do not possess cytotoxic properties, do not contain endotoxin impurities and significantly enhance the production of nitric oxide by macrophages. These samples used in a detailed study of the immunomodulatory properties and further development on their basis of new treatment methods various diseases that require correction and regulation of the functional activity of immune cells, including macrophages.

The in vitro addition of water-soluble polysaccharides isolated from the leaves of Crataegus sanguinea Pall . to culture of mouse peritoneal macrophages induced classical activation of antigen-presenting cells by increasing NO synthase activity and reducing arginase expression.

The charge transport and trap nature responsible for the leakage current through thermally cured methyl‐terminated organosilicate low‐κ dielectric films are studied. It is found that the Frenkel emission does not describe correctly the charge transport in the studied films. The charge transport occurs via the phonon‐assisted electron tunneling between neutral traps as described in the Nasyrov–Gritsenko model. The obtained thermal trap energy value 1.2 eV is close to that for the oxygen divacancy (SiSiSi cluster) in SiO2. The electron energy loss spectra, photoluminescence excitation of 2.7 eV blue band spectra, and data from the simulation within the density functional theory for the model SiCOH low‐κ structure confirm the presence of oxygen vacancy and divacancy in the studied films. The thermal trap energy value estimated as half the Stokes shift of the blue luminescence also gives a value close to 1.2 eV. It proves the correctness of the Nasyrov–Gritsenko model for describing the charge transport mechanism and the conclusion that oxygen divacancies are traps responsible for the leakage current in the studied low‐κ films.

The emission centers and excited state characteristics of silica glasses implanted with Gd ions were studied by time-resolved pulsed cathodoluminescence. It was found that in the process of ion implantation, two types of new emission centers associated with Gd ions as well as Si quantum dots are formed in glassy silica. The distributions of excited states over the lifetime were found for both new centers and Si quantum dots. The nature of dispersion of the emission decay time was discussed in terms of structural disorder in the matrix. Thermal annealing and an increase in the ion fluence lead to the stimulation of the formation of Gd-related new centers and Si quantum dots. The micromechanisms for the formation of new Gd-related centers and two types of Si quantum dots were proposed on the basis of two scenarios for the introduction of Gd ions into the SiO2 network: insertion of Gd into interstitial voids near oxygen-deficient centers and Gd  →  Si substitution with subsequent expulsion of Si atoms to the interstitial voids. New emission oxygen-deficient centers and quantum dots created by ion-beam technology in silica glasses are of interest for the development of new functional materials for photonics, and micro- and opto-electronics.