INSTITUTUL NAÅ¢IONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE - ICECHIM

3. Chemistry in medical and pharmaceutical applications - OCOMPARATIVE DETERMINATIONS FOR CERTAIN PHYTOTERAPEUTICALSUBSTANCES FROM INDIGENOUS HERBSMihaela NEAGU 1 , Luntraru V. 1 , N. Bordei 1 , A., Cozea 1 , G.A. Traistaru 11S.C. HOFIGAL EXPORT IMPORT S.A. Serelor no.2, sector 4, Bucharest, Romania,Research and Development DepartamentThis paper presents physical-chemical analysis of extracts from some fruit ofindigenous medicinal plants for their added value in phytotherapy for heart diseasepreparations (food suplements), for improving of blood circulation. Studied fruits were:chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), rosehip (Rosa canina), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) andhawthorn (Crateagus monogyna), with high content in antioxidant activity compounds. Themain compounds studied in these papers are: flavones, phenols and anthocyanins. Fruitextracts studied are important sources of antioxidants.Oxidative stress is involved in developing of many chronic diseases such ascardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, inflammatory arthritis, autoimmunediseases, diabetes, ageing and even cancer. In modern society the risk under oxidative stress ishigh, so we really need powerful protection against it, achieved through an adequateconsumption of antioxidants in diet (fruits and vegetables) or dietary supplements.Following research conducted by authors experimental results showed increasedanthocyanin content in all analyzed fruits. Thus: extracts from the fruit of chokeberry,rosehip, hawthorn and bilberry with large amounts of anthocyanins, proanthocyans and otherantioxidant activity compounds with beneficial effects for the heart and arteries contributeeffectively for improving health, especially in cardiovascular diseases, improving elasticity ofblood vessels. The three extracts can be combined in certain proportions, within certainpharmaceutical formulations with high antioxidant activity, mainly for cardiovascular and eyedisease.References[1] Małgorzata Zielinska-Przyjemska, Anna Olejnik, Agnieszka Dobrowolska-Zachwieja, Włodzimierz Grajek,(2007), Effects of aronia melanocarpa polyphenols on oxidative metabolism and apoptosis of neutrophils fromobese and non-obese individuals, Acta Sci. Pol., Technol. Aliment. 6(3) 2007, 75-87;[2] Barros, L., Carvalho, A. M., Morais, J. S., Ferreira, I. C. F. R. (2010a). Strawberry-tree, blackthorn and rosefruits: detailed characterization in nutrients and phytochemicals with antioxidant properties, Food Chemistry,120, 247-254;