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Molecular Mechanisms in Spinal Cord Injury and RNA Therapy
Ozljeda kralježničke moždine vrlo je ozbiljna povreda središnjeg živčanog sustava. Najčešće ozljeda nastaje zbog utjecaja vanjskog fizičkog čimbenika. Patofiziološki može se podijeliti na faze primarne i sekundarne ozljede. Primarna ozljeda odnosi se na događaje odmah nakon početne traume, a zatim slijedi kaskada događaja sekundarne ozljede. Ozljedu kralježničke moždine karakteriziraju vrlo složeni, samopropagirajući, simultani molekularni mehanizmi u kojima sudjeluju stanice živčanog i imunosnog sustava te druge stanice. Uz kreiranje patofizioloških procesa one zajednički sudjeluju u zaštiti i obnovi oštećenog tkiva. Međutim, zbog vrlo ograničene sposobnosti regeneracije središnjeg živčanog sustava, trenutno nije moguć potpuni oporavak nakon ozljede, stoga pacijenti imaju doživotne komplikacije kao što je neuropatska bol koji predstavlja neugodan emocionalni i osjetni doživljaj. Trenutna istraživanja ukazuju na važan utjecaj nekodirajućih RNA molekula u patofiziološkim molekularnim mehanizmima koji nastaju nakon ozljede kralježničke moždine te koji zatim djeluju kao pokretači nastanka neuropatske boli. Daljnjim istraživanjem nekodirajuće RNA molekule mogle bi postati nove mete lijekova za liječenje neuropatske boli inducirane ozljedom kralježničke moždine.A spinal cord injury is a very serious damage to the central nervous system. It most commonly occurs due to the impact of an external physical factor. Pathophysiologically, it can be divided into primary and secondary injury phases. The primary injury refers to events immediately following the initial trauma, followed by a cascade of events in the secondary injury. Spinal cord injury is characterized by highly complex, self-propagating, simultaneous molecular mechanisms involving cells of the nervous and immune systems along with other cells. In addition to creating pathophysiological processes, they collectively participate in the protection and repair of damaged tissue. However, due to the extremely limited regenerative capacity of the central nervous system, complete recovery after injury is currently not possible, leading to lifelong complications for patients, such as neuropathic pain which is an unpleasant emotional and sensory experience. Current research indicates the significant impact of non-coding RNA molecules in the pathophysiological molecular mechanisms that arise following spinal cord injury, which then act as triggers for the development of neuropathic pain. Further research into non-coding RNA molecules could lead to the discovery of new drug targets for treating neuropathic pain induced by spinal cord injury
Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with celiac disease
Dosadašnja istraživanja su pokazala da oboljeli od celijakije često
imaju niže koncentracije 25(OH)D što može biti posljedica oštećenja
crijevne sluznice i slabije apsorpcije te složenih imunoloških zbivanja.
Svrha ovog istraživanja bila je ispitati povezanost koncentracije
25(OH)D u krvi pacijenata s dijagnosticiranom celijakijom, s
posebnim naglaskom na učestalost nedostatka vitamina D i njegovu
povezanost s parametrima dijagnoze celijakije poput Marsh
klasifikacije i vrijednosti protutijela na tkivnu transglutaminazu (tTG).
Istraživanje je obuhvatilo 73 pacijenta (62 žene i 11 muškaraca),
kojima je dijagnosticirana celijakija, a prosječna dob ispitanika bila je
48 godina.Ispitivani su antropometrijski podaci, uključujući indeks
tjelesne mase (ITM) te laboratorijski parametri važni za dijagnozu
celijakije poput tTG protutijela i patohistološki nalazi crijevnih resica
prema Marsh klasifikaciji, kao i koncentracije 25(OH)D.
Rezultati su pokazali da60,3% pacijenata u uzorku ima manjak
25(OH)D (<75 nmol/L), s negativnom korelacijom između
koncentracije 25(OH)D i početnih Marsh vrijednosti, što ukazuje na
potencijalnu ulogu statusa vitamina D na razvoj i težinu bolesti.
Također, pronađena je značajna povezanost između nedostatka
25(OH)D i prisutnosti Hashimotovog tireoiditisa. Ostale korelacije,
iako nisu bile statistički značajne, pokazale su potencijalne poveznice
između niske koncentracije vitamina D i bolesti poput osteoartritisa i
osteoporoze.
Zaključci istraživanja naglašavaju važnost redovitog praćenja
koncentracije vitamina D kod pacijenata s celijakijom i razmatranje
nadomjesne primjene kako bi se smanjio rizik od razvoja dodatnih
autoimunih bolesti te kako bi se poboljšalo opće zdravstveno stanje
pacijenata. Ovaj rad također ukazuje na potrebu za daljnjim
istraživanjima s većim uzorkom ispitanika i duljim praćenjem.Previous studies have shown that individuals with celiac disease often
have lower concentrations of 25(OH)D, which may result from
damage to the intestinal mucosa and decreased vitamin D absorption
as well as complex immunologic aspects. The purpose of this study
was to examine the relationship between serum 25(OH)D levels in
patients with diagnosed celiac disease, focusing on the prevalence of
vitamin D deficiency and its correlation with diagnostic parameters
such as Marsh classification and tissue transglutaminase (tTG)
antibody levels. The study included 73 patients (62 women and 11
men), with an average age of 48 years.
Anthropometric data, including body mass index (BMI), and
laboratory parameters critical for celiac diagnosis, such as tTG
antibodies and histopathological findings of intestinal villi per Marsh
classification, as well as 25(OH)D status were evaluated.
Results indicated that 60,3% of celiac patients had 25(OH)D
deficiency (<75 nmol/L), with a negative correlation between
25(OH)D levels and initial Marsh scores, suggesting a potential role
of vitamin D in disease development and severity. A significant
association was also found between vitamin D deficiency and the
presence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Other correlations, although not
statistically significant, showed potential links between low vitamin D
levels and conditions such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
The conclusions emphasize the importance of regular monitoring of
vitamin D levels in celiac patients and considering supplementation to
reduce the risk of developing additional autoimmune diseases and
improve overall health. This study also suggests the need for further
research with more patients included and a longer follow-up
Hodgkin lymphoma
Hodgkinov limfom (HL) rijetka je vrsta maligne bolesti kod koje dolazi do zloćudnog bujanja stanica limforetikularnog sustava. Incidencija HL-a povećana je kod osoba starijih od 55 godina, ali i kod mlađih odraslih osoba, u čijoj je populaciji jedan od najčešće dijagnosticiranih malignih tumora. Na temelju razlika u histološkoj slici i fenotipu tumorskih stanica HL je podijeljen na nodularni limfocitno predominantni HL i klasični HL koji se sastoji od četiri podtipa (HL mješovitih stanica, nodularna skleroza HL, HL s limfocitnom deplecijom i HL bogat limfocitima). Karakteristične maligne stanice klasičnog HL-a su Hodgkinove i Reed Sternbergove (HRS), a stanice nodularno limfocitno-predominantnog HL-a nazivaju se limfocitno predominantne (LP) te su u oba slučaja vrlo rijetke u tumorskom tkivu. Glavni simptom bolesti je bezbolna limfadenopatija, katkad praćena vrućicom, noćnim znojenjem, gubitkom tjelesne mase, svrbežom, splenomegalijom i hepatomegalijom. Patofiziologija bolesti temelji se na genetskim lezijama koje uzrokuju poremećaje u signalnim putevima (NFkB, JAK–STAT, PI3K/Akt, MAPK/ERK i PD-1/PD-L1) i transkripcijskim faktorima malignih stanica, ali i iznimno bitnim interakcijama unutartumorskog mikrookruženja. Epstein-Barr virus, također, ima ulogu u etiologiji bolesti te su njime latentno inficirane HRS stanice u otprilike 40% pacijenata s cHL-om, izražavajući EBV nuklearni antigen 1 i latentne membranske proteine 1 i 2a. HL se dijagnosticira ekscizijskom biopsijom limfnog čvora, a potvrda dijagnoze ovisi o pronalasku HRS stanica ili njihovih varijanti u odgovarajućem histološkom mikrookruženju. Za potvrdu dijagnoze, ali i razlikovanje podtipova HL-a također se koristi protočna citometrija, jer HRS i LP stanice imaju specifičan imunofenotip. Trenutačno su kombinirani kemoterapijski režimi i radioterapija standardna terapija HL-a, čime se postiže šansa od preko 80% za desetogodišnje preživljavanje svih novodijagnosticiranih pacijenata mlađih od 60 godina. Cilj daljnjeg unaprjeđenja terapije je smanjenje doživotne zaostale toksičnosti povezane s liječenjem uz održavanje visoke razine učinkovitosti.Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is a rare type of malignant disease, which belongs to B cell lymphomas. The incidence of HL is increased in people older than 55 years, but also in young adults, in whose population it is one of the most frequently diagnosed malignant tumors. Based on differences in the histological picture and tumor cell phenotype, HL is divided into nodular lymphocyte-predominant HL and classic HL, which consists of four subtypes (mixed cellularity HL, nodular sclerosis HL, lymphocyte-depleted HL, and lymphocyte-rich HL). Characteristic malignant cells of classic HL are Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS), and the cells of nodular lymphocyte-predominant HL are called lymphocyte-predominant (LP) and in both cases are very rare in the tumor tissue. The main symptom of the disease is painless lymphadenopathy, sometimes accompanied by fever, night sweats, weight loss, itching, splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. Pathophysiology of the disease is based on genetic lesions, which cause disturbances in signaling pathways (NF-kB, JAK-STAT, PI3K/Akt, MAPK/ERK and PD-1/PD-L1) and transcription factors of malignant cells, but also extremely important interactions within the tumor microenvironment. Epstein-Barr virus also plays a role in the etiology of the disease, and HRS cells are latently infected with it in approximately 40% of cHL patients, expressing EBV nuclear antigen 1 and latent membrane proteins 1 and 2a. HL is diagnosed by excisional lymph node biopsy, and confirmation of the diagnosis depends on the finding of HRS cells or their variant in the appropriate histological microenvironment. Flow cytometry is also used to confirm the diagnosis, but also to distinguish the subtype of HL, because HRS and LP cells have a specific immunophenotype. Currently, combined chemotherapy regimens and radiotherapy are used as standard therapy for HL, which achieves a chance of over 80% for ten-year survival of all newly diagnosed patients under the age of 60. The goal of further therapy improvement is to reduce lifelong residual toxicity associated with treatment while maintaining a high level of efficacy. For this purpose, various immunotherapies are being investigated as independent drugs or in combination with already existing therapies
DISC1 raw data set for UAS-ghflDISC1
Raw data set for Social interaction network analysis activity, sleep, geotaxis, free-running period, WB, hydrogen peroxide and glutathione in UAS-hflDISC1-2nd and UAS-hflDISC1-3rd line
Utjecaj izolacije na koncentraciju neurotransmitera i parametre mreža socijalnih interakcija kod modela Drosophila melanogaster
Social behavior is an essential need for humans and animals, including Drosophila melanogaster. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in studying the impact of social isolation, the deprivation of social connections, on behavior and brain chemistry. These studies provide valuable information about changed social interactions that are symptoms of different neuropsychiatric disorders.
To investigate the relationship between social isolation and chemical alterations in the brain, we conducted a study where we assessed the concentration of neurotransmitters in D. melanogaster head after a period of one and five days of social isolation. Our LC-MS/MS analysis revealed a significant decrease in concentrations of dopamine, octopamine, glutamate and acetylcholine. Furthermore, to determine if there was a correlation between neurochemical alterations and behavioral modifications, we recorded the social interactions among a group of 12 flies in a circular arena. Python scripts were used to generate and evaluate Social Interaction Networks (SINs) based on five parameters: global efficiency, assortativity, clustering coefficient, betweenness centrality, and closeness centrality. Network analysis revealed that social isolation led to an increase in the clustering coefficient and a decrease in the closeness centrality. This suggests that flies tend to establish smaller but temporary social groups within the network. To reverse the alterations in SINs caused by isolation, we administered dopamine, octopamine and combination of both during five days of isolation. Examination of SINs characteristics of supplemented groups revealed significant variations in clustering coefficients, centrality measures, and assortativity, with noticeable impacts of dopamine and octopamine. The addition of octopamine and the combination of dopamine and octopamine greatly increased closeness centrality, suggesting that flies established more densely linked networks, like what was found in groups without isolation. Additionally, we observed that differences in the age of grouped flies significantly influence local SINs parameters, with younger flies exhibiting similar behavioral patterns as isolated flies.
Our results show that social isolation has lasting neurochemical and behavioral effects, in particular the behavior in a group setting. Moreover, because supplementation with dopamine and octopamine reversed some negative effect of social isolation, supplementation with these neurotransmitters might contribute in the creation of novel therapies targeted at alleviating the negative effects of social isolation.Društveno ponašanje ključna je potreba ljudi i životinja, uključujući Drosophila melanogaster. Nedavno se povećao interes za proučavanje utjecaja socijalne izolacije, deprivacije socijalnih interakcija, na ponašanje i kemiju mozga. Ove studije pružaju vrijedne informacije o promijenjenim socijalnim interakcijama koje su simptomi različitih neuropsihijatrijskih poremećaja.
Kako bismo istražili odnos između socijalne izolacije i kemijskih promjena u mozgu, proveli smo studiju u kojoj smo procijenili koncentraciju neurotransmitera u glavi D. melanogaster nakon razdoblja od jednog i pet dana socijalne izolacije. Naša LC-MS/MS analiza otkrila je značajno smanjenje koncentracije dopamina, oktopamina, glutamata i acetilkolina. Nadalje, kako bismo utvrdili postoji li korelacija između neurokemijskih promjena i modifikacija ponašanja, zabilježili smo socijalne interakcije među skupinom od 12 mušica u kružnoj areni. Python skripte korištene su za generiranje i procjenu mreža socijalnih interakcije (SIN) na temelju pet parametara: globalne učinkovitosti, asortativnosti, koeficijenta grupiranja, betweenness centrality i closeness centrality. Analiza socijalnih interakcija je pokazala da je socijalna izolacija dovela do povećanja koeficijenta grupiranja i closeness centrality parametra. Ovo sugerira da mušice imaju tendenciju uspostavljanja manjih, ali privremenih društvenih grupa unutar mreže. Kako bismo poništili promjene u mrežama socijalnih interakcija uzrokovane izolacijom, suplementirali smo hranu dopaminom, oktopaminom i kombinacijom dopamina i oktopamina tijekom pet dana izolacije. Ispitivanje karakteristika SIN-a suplementiranih skupina otkrilo je značajne varijacije u koeficijentima grupiranja, mjerama centralnosti i asortativnosti, sa značajnim utjecajem dopamina i oktopamina. Dodatak oktopamina i kombinacija dopamina i oktopamina uvelike je povećala closeness centrality parametar, sugerirajući da su mušice uspostavile gušće povezane mreže, poput onoga što je pronađeno u skupinama bez izolacije. Osim toga, uočili smo da razlike u dobi grupiranih mušica značajno utječu na lokalne parametre SIN-a, pri čemu mlađe mušice pokazuju slične obrasce ponašanja kao izolirane mušice.
Naši rezultati pokazuju da socijalna izolacija ima trajne neurokemijske učinke i učinke na ponašanje, posebice ponašanje u grupnom okruženju. Štoviše, budući da je suplementacija dopaminom i oktopaminom poništila neke negativne učinke socijalne izolacije, suplementacija ovim neurotransmiterima mogla bi pridonijeti stvaranju novih terapija usmjerenih na ublažavanje negativnih učinaka socijalne izolacije
The design of compounds with desirable properties – The anti-HIV case study
Efficacy and safety are among the most desirable characteristics of an ideal drug. The tremendous increase in computing power and the entry of artificial intelligence into the field of computational drug design are accelerating the process of identifying, developing, and optimizing potential drugs. Here, we present novel approach to design new molecules with desired properties. We combined various neural networks and linear regression algorithms to build models for cytotoxicity and anti-HIV activity based on Continual Molecular Interior analysis (CoMIn) and Cinderella's Shoe (CiS) derived molecular descriptors. After validating the reliability of the models, a genetic algorithm was coupled with the Des-Pot Grid algorithm to generate new molecules from a predefined pool of molecular fragments and predict their bioactivity and cytotoxicity. This combination led to the proposal of 16 hit molecules with high anti-HIV activity and low cytotoxicity. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of the hits was predicted
Gaussian field-based 3D-QSAR and molecular simulation studies to design potent pyrimidine–sulfonamide hybrids as selective BRAFV600E inhibitors
The “RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK” pathway is an important signaling pathway in melanoma. BRAFV600E (70–90%) is the most common mutation in this pathway. BRAF inhibitors have four types of conformers: type I (αC-IN/DFG-IN), type II (αC-IN/DFG-OUT), type I1/2 (αC-OUT/DFG-IN), and type I/II (αC-OUT/DFG-OUT). First- and second-generation BRAF inhibitors show resistance to BRAFV600E and are ineffective against malignancies induced by dimer BRAF mutants causing ‘paradoxical’ activation. In the present study, we performed molecular modeling of pyrimidine–sulfonamide hybrids inhibitors using 3D-QSAR, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. Previous reports reveal the importance of pyrimidine and sulfonamide moieties in the development of BRAFV600E inhibitors. Analysis of 3D-QSAR models provided novel pyrimidine sulfonamide hybrid BRAFV600E inhibitors. The designed compounds share similarities with several structural moieties present in first- and second-generation BRAF inhibitors. A total library of 88 designed compounds was generated and molecular docking studies were performed with them. Four molecules (T109, T183, T160, and T126) were identified as hits and selected for detailed studies. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed at 900 ns and binding was calculated. Based on molecular docking and simulation studies, it was found that the designed compounds have better interactions with the core active site [the nucleotide (ADP or ATP) binding site, DFG motif, and the phospho-acceptor site (activation segment) of BRAFV600E protein than previous inhibitors. Similar to the FDA-approved BRAFV600E inhibitors the developed compounds have [αC-OUT/DFG-IN] conformation. Compounds T126, T160 and T183 interacted with DIF (Leu505), making them potentially useful against BRAFV600E resistance and malignancies induced by dimer BRAF mutants. The synthesis and biological evaluation of the designed molecules is in progress, which may lead to some potent BRAFV600E selective inhibitors.Rezultati su dobiveni pomoću paketa za molekulsku dinamiku Amber 20
MD simulacije novosintetiziranih inhibitora u aktivnom mjestu BRAF proteina
Rezultati su dobiveni pomoću paketa za molekulsku dinamiku Amber 20
Problems of micronutrition in pregnant and lactating women
Odgovornost buduće majke utječe na razvoj i zdravlje djeteta i prije
samoga začeća. Odgovornost ne uključuje samo redovne preglede te
pridržavanje liječnikovih uputa već i edukaciju o prehrani i potrebnoj
suplementaciji koja je itekako važna već i u prenatalnoj fazi. Mnoge
majke i buduće majke nisu upoznate s nutrijentima koje moraju unositi
kako bi razvitak ploda bio bez mogućih komplikacija te trudnoća imala
najpovoljniji ishod. Iako se na pravilan unos nutrijenata inzistira kod svih
skupina ljudi bez obzira na spol, dob i rasu, ipak je kod trudnica apel za
određenim mikronutrijentima ponešto veći. Razlog tome jesu promjene u
tijelu koje se dešavaju kada dođe do oplodnje te potreba fetusa za
adekvatnim uvjetima u kojima bi se mogao razvijati. Kada je slučaj
nadoknade mikronutrijenata tada je najčešće riječ o željezu, jodu,
folatima te vitaminima kao što su vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin K i
vitamin E. Manjak navedenih suplemenata utječe na mnoge faze u
razvoju kao što su primjerice opskrba fetusa kisikom ili pravilno razvijanje
živčanog sustava. Posljedično navedenim propustima u razvitku dolazi do
zdravstvenih problema postnatalno. Neka od teških stanja koja mogu
pogoditi novorođenčad su nepravilno zarastanje neuralne cijevi koje se
manifestira u obliku spine bifide ili anencefalije. Također manjak
mikronutrijenata može se manifestirati i kroz psihičke poremećaje,
točnije, velika je mogućnost rođenja djeteta s kretenizmom. Loši ishodi
izbjegavaju se unošenjem hranom bogatom istaknutim nutrijentinma te
suplementacijom istim prije ili tijekom trudnoće.The responsibility of the future mother affects the development and
health of the child even before conception itself. This responsibility not
only includes regular check-ups and following the doctor's instructions but
also educating oneself about the nutrition and necessary
supplementation, which is crucial even in the prenatal stage. Many
mothers and expectant mothers are not familiar with the nutrients they
need to intake to ensure the fetus develops without potential
complications and that the pregnancy has the most favorable outcome.
Although proper nutrient intake is emphasized for all groups of people
regardless of gender, age, and race, the emphasis on certain
micronutrients is somewhat greater in pregnant women. The reason for
this lies in the changes in the body that occur during fertilization and the
fetus's need for adequate conditions in which it can develop. When it
comes to micronutrient supplementation, it usually refers to iron, iodine,
folic acid, and vitamins such as vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin K, and
vitamin E. A deficiency in these supplements affects many stages of
development, such as the supply of oxygen to the fetus or the proper
development of the nervous system. As a result of these developmental
deficiencies, postnatal health issues may arise. Some severe conditions
that can affect newborns include improper closure of the neural tube,
which manifests as spina bifida or anencephaly. Additionally, a lack of
micronutrients can also manifest in psychological disorders, with a high
possibility of the child being born with cretinism. Poor outcomes can be
avoided by consuming foods rich in these highlighted nutrients and by
supplementing them before or during pregnanc
Comparison of morphological characteristics and marrubiin content of the species Marrubium vulgare L. and Marrubium incanum Desr.
Marrubium vulgare L., Lamiaceae (obična marulja) ljekovita je biljna vrsta
čije je korištenje propisano monografijom Europske agencije za lijekove
EMA/HMPC/604271/2012. Ona sadrži preko 0,7% diterpena marubiina koji
je marker korišten u kontroli kvalitete i neophodan je za ljekoviti učinak na
dišne tegobe, kao i gastroprotektivnu aktivnost. Znanstvena istraživanja
potvrdila su antimikrobnu, protuupalnu i antioksidativnu aktivnost.
Marrubium incanum Desr. (bijela marulja) morfološki je slična vrsta. Do
sada je objavljena samo jedna studija sadržaja marubiina u bijeloj marulji
tehnikama koje nisu u skladu s metodom Europske farmakopeje, stoga nije
bilo poznato koliko je ta metoda diskriminativna u razlikovanju dviju vrsta.
Kako areal bijele marulje obuhvaća velik dio Hrvatske, postoji realna
opasnost zabuna vrsta i patvorenja biljne droge obične marulje s bijelom
maruljom. Za bijelu marulju potvrđena je samo antimikrobna aktivnost
zbog eteričnih ulja u svom sastavu, kojih ima u gotovo jednakom udjelu
kao u običnoj marulji. Za morfološku usporedbu ovih dviju biljnih vrsta,
korištene su metode vizualne procjene i mikroskopije. Za analizu sadržaja
marubiina provedeno je nekoliko metoda, poput tankoslojne kromatografije
ili TLC (brza vizualna procjena prisutnosti marubiina) te tekućinska
kromatografija visoke djelotvornosti ili HPLC (precizna kvantifikacija,
određivanje točne koncentracije marubiina) s UV i MS detektorom. HPLC
metodom potvrđena je vrlo niska razina marubiina u bijeloj marulji, za
razliku od obične marulje, zbog čega ne preporuča za korištenje umjesto
obične marulje. Navedena metoda može se koristiti za otkrivanje patvorenja
ljekovite droge obične marulje biljnim materijalom bijele marulje.Marrubium vulgare L., Lamiceae (common horehound) is a medicinal plant
whose use is prescribed by the monograph of the European Medicines
Agency EMA/HMPC/604271/2012. It contains over 0.7% of the diterpene
marubiin, a marker used in quality control and responsible for its medicinal
effect on respiratory ailments and gastroprotective activity. Scientific
research has confirmed its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
activity. Marrubium incanum Desr. (white horehound) is a morphologically
similar species. So far, only one study of marubiin content in white
horehound has been published using techniques that are not in accordance
with the Ph. Eur. method, so it's not known how discriminative this method
is in distinguishing the two species. As the areal of white horehound covers
a large part of Croatia, there is a real danger of species confusion and
adulteration of herbal drugs. For white horehound, only antimicrobial
activity has been confirmed due to the essential oils in its composition,
which are present in almost the same proportion as in ordinary horehound.
Morphological comparison of these two plant species was assessed visually
and using microscopy. To analyze the marubiin content, methods such as
thin-layer chromatography or TLC (rapid visual assessment of marubiin
content) and high-performance liquid chromatography or HPLC (precise
determination of marubiin content) with UV and MS detectors were used.
The HPLC method confirmed a very low level of marubiin in white
horehound, unlike ordinary horehound, which is why it is not recommended
for use. This method can be used to detect adulteration of the medicinal
drug of common horehound with plant material of white horehound