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The features of the participation of Smad3 in the functioning of neural stem cells (NSC), neuronal committed precursors (NCP), and neuroglial elements were studied in vitro. It was found that this intracellular signaling molecule enhances the clonogenic and proliferative activities of NCP and inhibits specialization of neuronal precursors. At the same time, Smad3 does not participate in the realization of the growth potential of NSC. With regard to the secretory function (production of neurotrophic growth factors) of neuroglial cells, the stimulating role of Smad3-mediated signaling was shown. These results indicate the promise of studying the possibility of using Smad3 as a fundamentally new target for neuroregenerative agents., (© 2024. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

We studied the effectiveness of Xe/O 2 mixture inhalation (30% Xe and 70% O 2 , 20 min for 5 days) in a model of experimental thromboplastin pneumonitis. Inhalation of the studied mixture decreased the intensity of the inflammatory process in the lung tissue assessed by the temperature response of animals, changed lung weight and lung weight coefficient. At acute stage of pneumonitis, an increase in xenon consumption was recorded due to its retention in the gas exchange zone and a natural decrease in oxygen consumption due to partial alveolar/capillary block. The formation of pneumonitis was accompanied by a pronounced procoagulant shift in the regulation system of the aggregate state of blood. The Xe/O 2 inhalations ensured physiologically optimal levels of prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time against the background of a moderate decrease in fibrinogen level throughout the experiment. At the same time, the activity of the natural anticoagulant antithrombin III increased from day 5 to day 14., (© 2024. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The duration and severity of prothrombotic effects of the maximum tolerated dose of paclitaxel (40 mg/kg) were evaluated in intact outbred mice. Hemostasis was assessed before and on days 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, and 30 after a single injection of paclitaxel using standard coagulation tests (activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, fibrinogen concentration, and antithrombin III) and a "global" method, low-frequency piezothromboelastography. A pronounced prothrombotic effect of paclitaxel was revealed starting from the first day postinjection that consisted in intensification of fibrinogenesis up to the 7th day in parallel with activation of the anticoagulant mechanisms. On days 7-30 after paclitaxel administration, decompensation of its anticoagulant activity due to paclitaxel-induced damage to the endothelium was observed with the formation of a procoagulant status of the hemostatic potential of the blood. A single administration of the maximum tolerated dose of paclitaxel forms a powerful thrombogenic stimulus during the first week and provides a long-term/trace procoagulant shift in the hemostasis system (days 10-30)., (© 2023. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

We studied the effect of an anthocyanin-containing complex from the fruits of S. aucuparia L. on doxorubicin-induced genotoxicity in bone marrow cells of C57BL/6 mice. The complex reduced the genotoxic effect doxorubicin in metaphase plates of bone marrow cells in 24, 48 h, and 10 days after the administration of the cytostatic. The mean number of single fragments and the fraction of cells with gaps and aberrant metaphases also decreased., (© 2023. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The effects of inhalations of an oxygen-xenon (70%/30%) mixture were studied in two models of acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by intratracheal administration of 0.5 mg/kg LPS or 0.04 ml acidin-pepsin (pH 1.2). Inhalation of the oxygen-xenon mixture inhibited the development and reduced the intensity of the inflammatory process in the lung tissue, which was assessed by the dynamics of lung weight and body weight of animals: the therapeutic exposure decreased both parameters. It was found that the thrombogenic stimulus, pathognomonic for the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, decreased under the effect of oxygen-xenon inhalations, while the level of natural anticoagulant antithrombin III increased., (© 2023. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The psychopharmacological effects of a stimulator of functions of progenitor cells of the nervous tissue STAT3 inhibitor (STAT3 Inhibitor XIV, LLL12) were studied under conditions of modeled alcoholic encephalopathy in C57BL/6 mice. The pharmacological agent corrected the parameters of exploratory behavior (characterizing predominantly cognitive activity) in the experimental animals at the late terms of observation. At the same time, the reproducibility of the conditioned passive avoidance response developed at the beginning of the course STAT3 inhibitor administration decreased. These effects developed against the background of a significant increase in the content of neural stem cells and their proliferative activity in the paraventricular zone of the brain., (© 2022. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The effects of JAK and STAT3 inhibitors on the production of neurotrophic growth factors by different types of neuroglial cells were studied under conditions of in vitro and in vivo models of ethanol-induced neurodegeneration. It was shown that these signaling molecules do not participate in the secretion of neurotrophins by intact astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The inhibitory role of JAK in the regulation of this function of microglial cells was revealed. We also revealed significant changes in the role of JAK and the presence of STAT3 specifics within the framework of JAK/STAT signaling in the production of growth factors by various glial elements under the influence of ethanol. Neurodegeneration modeled in vitro led to the appearance of a "negative" effect of STAT3 on the production of neurogenesis stimulants by all types of glial cells. Moreover, the role of STAT3 in oligodendrocytes and microglial cells generally corresponded to that of JAK/STAT signaling. In astrocytes, only selective blockade of STAT3 (but not JAK) led to stimulation of their function. In mice subjected to prolonged peroral alcoholization, the neuroglial responses to the pharmacological regulation of JAK/STAT signaling were different. An inversion of the role of JAK and STAT3 in the production of neurotrophins by oligodendrocytes was noted. In addition, JAK inhibitor did not stimulate secretory function of microglial cells under conditions of prolonged exposure to ethanol in vivo., (© 2022. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

We studied the participation of ERK1/2 and p38 in secretion of neurotrophic growth factors by various types of neuroglia under conditions of in vitro and in vivo modeled ethanol-induced neurodegeneration. The inhibitory role of these protein kinases in the production of neurotrophins by intact astrocytes and the absence of their participation in the regulation of functions of oligodendrocytes and microglial cells were shown. Under conditions of ethanol neurotoxicity, the role of ERK1/2 and p38 in the production of growth factors by glial elements was significantly changed. Neurodegeneration modeled in vitro led to inversion of the role of both protein kinases in the secretion of neurotrophins by astroglia and inhibition of the cytokine-synthesizing function of oligodendrocytes and microglial cells by ERK1/2 and p38. In mice receiving ethanol per os for a long time (as well as in cells in vitro exposed to ethanol), mitogen-activated kinases stimulated the function of astrocytes and inhibited the production of growth factors by microglial cells. At the same time, chronic alcoholization was accompanied by the appearance of the stimulating role of ERK1/2 and p38 in the implementation of the secretory function by oligodendrocytes., (© 2021. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

A single intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin in the MTD to outbred female mice disturbed hemostasis and formed the procoagulant phenotype of hemostatic potential on days 7-10 culminating in a pronounced hypocoagulation on day 15. Hemostasis was corrected with warfarin and an extract containing furocoumarins composed of isopimpinellin (42.97%), bergapten (35.18%), and xanthotoxin (15.41%). The extract was standardized with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, thin-layer chromatography, and HPLC. Furocoumarins and reference drug warfarin were administered intragastrically during 4 days starting on day 6 after the administration of cisplatin. Both furocoumarins and warfarin corrected hypercoagulation on days 7-10. On day 10, furocoumarins normalized coagulation, whereas warfarin resulted in hypocoagulation. On days 15-30, no effects of warfarin were observed. furocoumarins corrected hypocoagulation on days 15-20 with prolongation of this effect up to experimental day 30.

Procoagulant status was modeled in outbred female mice by single injection of cisplatin in a maximum tolerated dose and hemostasis parameters monitored over 30 days by methods of coagulogram and low-frequency piezothromboelastography (global test). Monitoring revealed waveform changes in the hemostatic potential: the structural and chronometric hypercoagulation recorded starting from the first day and attaining its maximum on days 5-7 was followed by hypocoagulation and returned to normocoagulation on day 30. This pattern reflects prolonged effect of cisplatin: formation of severe dysfunction of the endothelium providing the main anticoagulant pool of hemostasis (day 1) aggravated by disturbances of the plastic functions of the liver (days 15-20), and recovery (days 20-30).

Paclitaxel in a single MTD of 40 mg/kg caused chromosome aberrations and genome changes (polyploidy) in the bone marrow cells of mice early and 3 months after the injection. The quantity of early precursors of erythropoiesis in the bone marrow decreased, as did their proliferative potential irrespective of the animal gender. Injection of paclitaxel in the MTD caused the development of bone marrow hypoplasia during the early period of observation (up to 14 days) and 3 months after injection.

In a direct experiment, the rate constants of photochemical k p and non-photochemical k p + quenching of the chlorophyll fluorescence have been determined in spinach photosystem II (PS II) membrane fragments, oxygen-evolving PS II core, as well as manganese-depleted PS II particles using pulse fluorimetry. In the dark-adapted reaction center(s) (RC), the fluorescence decay kinetics of the antenna were measured at low-intensity picosecond pulsed excitation. To create a "closed" P680 + Q A - state, RCs were illuminated by high-intensity actinic flash 8 ns prior to the measuring flash. The obtained data were approximated by the sum of two decaying exponents. It was found that the antennae fluorescence quenching efficiency by the oxidized photoactive pigment of RC P680 + was about 1.5 times higher than that of the neutral P680 state. These results were confirmed by a single-photon counting technique, which allowed to resolve the additional slow component of the fluorescence decay. Slow component was assigned to the charge recombination of P680 + Pheo - in PS II RC. Thus, for the first time, the ratio k p + /k p  ≅ 1.5 was found directly. The mechanism of the higher efficiency of non-photochemical quenching comparing to photochemical quenching is discussed.

We studied toxicity of a new Russian radiopharmaceutical Nanocolloid, (99m)Tc-Al2O3. Tests for acute toxicity showed that this agent belongs to a class of moderate-toxicity substances and does not have cumulative properties. The evaluation of subchronic toxicity after subcutaneous injection of this product to rats (0.04, 0.2, and 0.4 ml/kg) and rabbits (0.02 and 0.2 ml/kg) for 7 days did not reveal changes in the general state, temperature, body weight, indices of the peripheral blood and bone marrow, functions of the heart, liver, kidneys, and nervous system, and morphological characteristics of the internal organs in animals. The drug does not produce a local irritant effect.

Intramuscular injections of Relatox in therapeutic and toxic doses to young outbred laboratory rats for 14 days caused no changes in the peripheral blood and bone marrow parameters, serum biochemical parameters, and morphology of the major viscera. In the toxic dose, the drug caused local irritation (inflammation, atrophy, and sclerosis in muscle tissue). Regeneration processes started in muscle tissue 7 days after Relatox withdrawal.

Gene protective properties of synthetic antioxidant thiophane and the extract of in vitro cultivated roots of Scutellaria baicalensis were studied on the model of Dr. melanogaster larvae genetic structure damage by drugs cisplatin and cyclophosphan (cyclophosphamide). It is established that adding thiophane or Scutellaria baicalensis root extract to a nutrient medium leads to a decrease in amount of Dr. melanogaster recombinants (females bearing recessive yellow and/or singed marker mutations).

Morphology of erythrocytes and conformation of hemoglobin-derived hematoporphyrin were studied in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and patients with circulatory failure using laser interference microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Correlation was revealed (r=0.81) between hemoglobin oxygen saturation and oxyhemoglobin fraction in erythrocytes evaluated by Raman spectroscopy. Patients with CHD and patients with circulatory failure showed reduced oxygen-releasing capacity of hemoglobin and hemoglobin content and increased oxygen-binding capacity of hemoglobin, and hemoglobin affinity for oxygen. Significant differences from the control were observed only in patients with circulatory failure. It was found that hemoglobin content, hematocrit, and the shape of erythrocytes during CHD and circulatory failure did not differ from the control, whereas the area of erythrocytes was increased.

The effect of root extract of Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) cultivated in vitro, on the gene structure of CBA/CaLac mice bone marrow cells damaged by anticancer drugs paclitaxel and cisplatin has been studied. It is established that the root extract exhibits gene protective property upon both single and chronic administration.

Preclinical evaluation of a 0.5 M solution of the manganese(II)- trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate complex (Mn-DCTA, Cyclomang) has been carried out with a view to substitution of potentially toxic gadolinium-containing paramagnetic contrast agents for clinical MRI routines. The toxicological tests of Mn(II)-DCTA were performed on mice and rats. Liquid phantoms were used for evaluating the relaxivity of Mn(II)-DCTA in comparison to that of Gd(III)-DTPA and Mn-DTPA. The diagnostic imaging properties of Mn(II)-DCTA were quantitatively assessed on dogs with cerebral meningeomas (n = 10). The LD50 upon single administration in rats was above 17 ml/kg, thus slightly exceeding the corresponding values for of Gd(III)-DTPA and Mn-DTPA. The relaxivity of Mn(II)-DCTA amounted to R1 = 3.68 (mM(-1) x s(-1)) and did not differ significantly from the values known for Gd-DTPA and Mn-DTPA. Mn(II)-DCTA ensured high-intensity contrast of tumor areas in brain of dogs. It is concluded that Mn(II)-DCTA can be employed as a paramagnetic contrast agent in routine MRI studies and is worth further clinical evaluation.

Pharmacological characteristics of somatotropin pegylated using electron-beam synthesis nanotechnology (PEG-STH) were studied. Oral PEG-STH stimulated the intensity of protein and lipid metabolism and endochondral bone growth without modifying the processes of periosteal and endosteal bone formation. Specific activity of this substance administered orally significantly surpassed that of parenteral non-modified growth hormone.

Administration of enzyme preparation Trombovazim as a corrector of ischemic damage to animals with experimental liver ischemia-reperfusion reduces neutrophilic infiltration of liver parenchyma and decreases hyperfermentemia, which attests to a decrease in the intensity of destructive changes in hepatocytes.

Beginning with the first hours of experiments, cisplatin evoked an increase of chromosomal aberrations in CBA/CaLac bone marrow cells. Significant increase of structural infringements of chromosomes due to chromatid breaks was revealed in metaphase plates of murine bone marrow preparations through 24 h after cisplatin intraperitoneal introduction. In late terms of research (90th day), the high level of aberrations of chromosomes was retained. The most pronounced correction of cisplatin mutagenicity was achieved using a preliminary course of thiophan introduction.

Mutagenic properties of water soluble polysaccharides (WSPS) extracted from Acorus calamus L. have been studied. Neither a single intravenous injection nor a course intraperitoneal introduction of WSPS in a dose of 1/2 LD50 to mice of the CBA/CaLac line increases the level of cytogenetic disorders in the bone marrow cells. The investigation of WSPS by means of the somatic mosaicism test showed that the given dose of WSPS does not increase the rate of mutant spots on Drosophila wings.

Biochemical investigations of red blood and oxygen transportation by erythrocyte hemoglobin were performed in volunteered for chamber experiments (0.14 MPa) with normal and hypoxic oxyargon medium (O2-Ar). Erythrocyte metabolism, lipid and phospholipids spectra, and effectiveness of oxygen release and retention by hemoglobin were studied in the baseline data collection period, on day 6 in hyperbaric and normoxic O2-Ar medium (13.7% O2), on day 3 in hyperbaric and hypoxic O2-Ar (9.9% O2) and on day 1 and 10 during the post-experiment rehab. Elevated pressure, hypoxia and ensuing decompression revealed an ATP reduction that could be a result of shifts on the membrane level and increased G6PD activity associated with cell reparation processes. Changes in membrane lipid and phospholipids composition point to an altered phase state of plasmatic membrane, i.e., increased viscosity which is indicative of possible impairment of membrane permeability As a rule, hyperbaria impacted oxygen transportation in blood of the subjects; effect of hypoxia combined with hyperbaria was not uniform ranging from none to decreasing or increasing oxygen transportation that can be extenuated by selectivity and individual sensitivity to the factors in the experiment Loss of O2 transportation efficiency by hemoglobin is most likely connected with the increase of plasmatic membrane viscosity that could affect hemoporphyrin conformation of membrane-bound hemoglobin and obstruct oxygen transport though membrane.

The influence of various antineoplastic preparations (farmorubicin, paclitaxel, etoposide, platidiam) on morphological and functional status of the liver in experimental animals was studied. It is shown, that all these antineoplastic drugs possess strong hepatotoxic activity and thereby cause toxic hepatitis and increase activity of hepatic enzymes. Biochemical parameters were normalized within 30 days after treatment whereas morphological changes persisted somewhat longer.

Extract of Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim administered intragastrically in doses 10, 50, 150 and 500 mg/kg stimulated both inductive and productive phases of the humoral immunity response in CBA/CaLac and C57BL/6 mice. The extract also exhibited pronounced antiinflammatory effect, which was manifested by a decrease in the synthesis of interleukin-2 by splenocytes and by suppression of proinflammatory cytokines production in delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. At the same time, Filipendula ulmaria extract did not influence the functional activity of peritoneal macrophages.

We have carried out a preclinical toxicological investigation (acute toxicity evaluation) of Mangascan (0.5 M solution of manganese(II) - EDTA complex) and Pentamang (0.5 M solution of manganese(II) - DTPA complex), a new paramagnetic contrast agents for MRI procedures. In 14 days after single intravenous introduction of Mangascan (10.0 ml/kg) or Pentamang (5.0 ml/kg) to rats, no any toxic influence of the studied agents was detected in the general condition, bone marrow, cardiovascular and central nervous systems, and liver and kidney functions of experimental animals. No pathological changes were observed in the functional activity and morphology of the internal organs and systems. The results showed that both Mangascan and Pentamang belong to the class of low toxicity substances.

Intraperitoneal injection of paclitaxel (Mitotax) in a single dose of 40 mg/kg was followed by an increase in the number of mitotic granulocytic and erythroid cells, hypoplasia, and pancytopenia of the bone marrow in CBA/CaLac mice. The test preparation decreased the number of hematopoietic precursor cells for erythropoiesis and granulocytopoiesis, but increased the count of polyploid cells and incidence of structural and genomic abnormalities in bone marrow cells. These changes were reversible.

Rhythmic activity, synaptic transmission and propagation of excitation depend on the processes that occur at different cellular levels. Modulation of neuron activity results from the changes of plasma membrane and organelles properties. We aimed to study the relationship between changes of the ion channels activity, membrane microviscosity and amount of bound Ca(2+) under the influence of nitric oxide (NO). We also investigated the effect of NO on the refractive index of neurons. We have shown that NO activates voltage-dependent K(K(V))-channels and leads to the decrease in the amount of membrane-bound and stored Ca(2+). NO causes a decrease in the microviscosity of the membrane of cytosomes and altered refractive index of neurones. The latter can result from the modification of plasma membrane physico-chemical properties and structural changes in the cytoplasm (vesicles movement, reorganisation of cytoskeleton, etc.). It is suggested that long-term modifications of the physico-chemical properties of membranes and reorganisation in the cytoplasm affect neuron activity and signal transmission.

The influence of a dry extract from Bergenia crassifolia (Fritsch) on the specific immune response parameters was studied under extremal conditions of model immunodepressive states induced by immobilization stress or cyclophosphamide injections. The drug produced normalizing effect on the content of antibody-forming cells in the spleen of experimental mice under the conditions of humoral response stimulation by antigen and in both immunodepression models. The bergenia extract decreases expression of inflammatory processes under delayed hypersensitivity reaction conditions, by preventing the accumulation of T-lymphocytes in the inflammation focus and reducing the ability of cells to produce anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Quantitative composition and functional activity of immunocompetent cells differ in mice of different strains. The counts of T cells in the bone marrow and spleen, proliferative activity of T cells in the spleen, levels of IL-2 and IL-10 production by splenic T cells, number of antigen-specific T cells and their functional activity are low in C57Bl/6, BALB/c, and CC57W mice and high in CBA/CaLac, DBA/2, and C3H animals. Low phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages was detected in BALB/c and CC57W mice and high activity in C3H animals. The content of antibody-producing cells in the spleens of C57Bl/6, BALB/c, and CC57W mice is higher than in CBA/CaLac, DBA/2, C3H, A/SN, and AKR/JY mice. Functional activity of B cells is lower in BALB/c and CC57W compared to CBA/CaLac and DBA/2 mice.

The influence of nitric oxide on the microviscosity of nerve cell membranes was investigated by resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy. Changes in membrane viscosity were estimated from the resonance Raman-spectra of carotenoids localized in the axon plasmatic membrane and membranes of subcellular vesicles (cytosomes). For the nerve fibre, the extracellular addition of nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside (0.5 mM), caused an increase in the 1526 cm(-1) band relative half-width and the modification of 1160 cm-1 band structure. Moreover, sodium nitroprusside led to an increase in the I1526/I1160 ratio by 13% in 25 min and a decrease in this ratio by 10% in 50 min. In the case of cytosomes, sodium nitroprusside (0.5 mM) resulted in the reduction of the I1526/I1160 ratio by 8% in 25 and 50 min. It was shown that the neuron rhythmic activity correlated with the I1526/I1160 ratio and cytosome membrane microviscosity. We suppose that nitric oxide causes a conformational transition of carotenoids in the axon plasmatic membrane and the membranes of cytosomes. This process can be due to nitric oxide-induced changes of the membrane microviscosity or potential.

We revealed differences in quantitative composition and functional activity of lymphoid cells in intact mice of different strains. Cellularity and counts of lymphoid elements in hemopoietic and lymphoid organs, proliferative activity of T and B lymphocytes, and counts of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in the spleen were minimum in CC57W and Balb/c mice and maximum in CBA/CaLac and DBA/2 mice. The highest absolute content of lymphoid elements in the spleen was detected in Balb/c mice, while CC57W mice had the highest content of these elements in the thymus.

Mice of different strains can be classified by the intensity of humoral immune reaction to thymus-dependent antigen as high, moderate, and low responders. High and moderate responders (CBA/CaLac, DBA/1, BALB/c) are characterized by high sensitivity of the productive phase of humoral immune response and phagocytic activity of macrophages to immobilization stress. In low responders (C57BL/6, CC57W) stress only slightly affected the productive phase of the humoral immune response, but activity of peritoneal macrophages decreased. These differences in the reactions of the immune system of inbred mice after immobilization stress reflect different reactions of the immune system to extreme factors.

T cells were most sensitive to cyclophosphamide in DBA/2 mice, while in C57Bl/6 mice both T and B cells were sensitive. The formation of antibody-producing cells and the production of specific antibodies were delayed in DBA/2 mice immunized after pretreatment with antitumor drug. Accumulation of antibody-producing cells in the spleen was more active in immunized C57Bl/6 mice treated with cyclophosphamide compared to animals not treated with cyclophosphamide.

We studied the effects of ultralow doses of anti-idiotypic antibodies to human gamma-interferon on humoral immune response in experimental animals immunized with a thymus-dependent antigen, delayed-type hypersensitivity, and phagocytic activity of neutrophils in the peritoneal exudate. This preparation stimulated the humoral immune response and activated phagocytosis, but had no effect on functional activity of T cells.

We studied immunotropic properties of antibodies to human interferon-gamma in homeopathic doses. The effects of these antibodies on the ratio between the counts of T helper (CD4+) and T suppressor cells (CD8+), production of interleukin-1 and interleukin-2, and functional activity of natural killer cells were evaluated. Potentiated antibodies slightly decreased the number of CD8+ cells in the spleen of experimental animals. After the addition to cultured human mononuclear cells the preparation produced a moderate comitogenic effect, stimulated proliferation of T and B lymphocytes, increased spontaneous and induced production of interleukin-1, and enhanced functional activity of natural killer cells (under certain conditions).

The responses of immunocompetent cells to thymus-dependent antigen differ in mice of different strains. Immunization stimulated phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages in CBA/CaLac, DBA/2, and BALB/c mice and suppressed it in CC57W mice. By the formation of antibody-producing cells in the spleen in response to thymus-dependent antigen DBA/2 and CBA/CaLac mice can be classified as high responders, BALB/c mice as medium-responders, and C57Bl/6 and CC57W mice as low responders.

The influence of new nootrope and adaptogen preparations representing dry extracts from Scutellaria baicalensis (Georgi), Bergenia crassifolia (Fritsch), and velvet antlers of Siberian deer (Cervus elaphus sibiricus) on the bioelectric activity (cortex Fourier spectral EEG power) under conflict situation and conditioned reflex development was studied in rats. In both tests, the drugs produced similar changes in the EEG activity: (i) increase in the partial contribution of delta-activity and general spectral power, (ii) depression in the alpha and beta 1-rhythm power, (iii) depression of theta-activity in some cases. The EEG activity changes depended on the initial state and were closely connected with the behavior of the test animals. The drug administration led to normalization of the alpha and beta 1 activity correlated with the improved behavioral characteristics. At the same time, the delta activity was virtually not affected and lost the correlation with behavior.

Changes in protoporphyrin conformation, partial pressures of O2 and CO2, and the mechanisms responsible for regulation of pCa and pH in erythrocytes were studied in essential hypertension (EH). Changes in protoporphyrin conformation in EH were accompanied by a decrease in the partial pressure of O2 and an increase in the partial pressure of CO2. This was associated with increased activities of Na+/H+-exchange and Ca2+-dependent K+-channels and with a decreased activity of Ca2+-ATPase. The changes in protoporphyrin conformation in EH are suggested to decrease the efficiency of O2 metabolism in hemoglobin and increase the values of intracellular pCa and pH of erythrocytes.

Properties of protonated dimeric forms of meso-tetraphenylporphine (TPP) and meso-tetra(p-aminophenyl)porphine (TAPP) bound with copolymer and also complexes produced by associated TAPP bound with copolymer, Mn2+, and Fe3+ are investigated by absorption, luminescence, and Raman spectroscopy. According to absorption spectra of protonated dimers of TPP, three dimeric forms of the porphyrin are observed in the ground state. However, selective excitation of these forms according to the fluorescence spectra reveals only two dimeric forms in the excited state. In contrast, similar selective excitation of TAPP bound with copolymer in aqueous-dioxane solution results in weak changes in the fluorescence spectra, nevertheless, there is strong interaction between porphyrin and macromolecular carboxyl groups in the ground state. In the case of the formation of the complexes between associated TAPP bound with copolymer, Mn2+ and Fe3+, a new band in the near IR region with a maximum at 840 nm is built up in the fluorescence spectrum. However, this near IR emission is completely quenched when new strong vibrational bands at approximately 1800 and 1900 cm-1 are revealed in the resonance Raman spectra of the complexes. The observed effects are explained in terms of direct participation of water molecules involved in the water-porphyrin dimeric complex in the processes of transformation of excitation energy. The involvement of water in this dimeric complex can lead to redistribution of flows of the energy degradation when transition metal ions play a role of the agent which enhances the trapping properties of the porphyrin-metal-ions complexes.

The interaction of dimeric forms of meso-tetraphenylporphine with Mn2+ as well as the interaction of associated forms of meso-tetra(p-aminophenyl)porphine bound to a hydrophobic-hydrophilic copolymer with Mn2+ and Fe3+ were studied by absorption, luminescence, Raman, and EPR spectroscopies. Both dimeric and associated forms of these porphyrins produced Mn2+ complexes. Manganese ions in these complexes undergo clusterization, which is accompanied by transformation of the six-line EPR signal of Mn2+ into a broad single-line signal. The EPR signal of Mn2+ in these clusters is characterized by a g-factor value typical of a free electron with half-width DeltaHpp = 50 mT. The interaction of the two-component complex with Fe3+ produces a donor-acceptor complex. The electronic spectrum of the donor-acceptor complex contains a broad band with a maximum at 760 nm. The molar extinction coefficient of the complex at 760 nm is 9.1.104 M-1.cm-1, and the rate constant for its formation is Kdac = (3.9 +/- 0.6).106 M-1. The constants for Mn2+ binding to the organic compounds used in this work were also determined.

Preparations of Scutellaria baicalensis, namely its dry extract and the bioflavonoid baicalin stimulate erythropoiesis depressed in deprivation of the paradoxical phase of sleep. After a conflict situation, when hemopoiesis is activated, both drugs normalize it. The modulating effect of drugs on hemopoiesis in exposure to neurotic factors is a consequence of their influence on the functional state of the cell elements of the hemopoiesis-inducing microenvironment. The capacity of the Scutellaria baicalensis drugs for reducing the effect of psychoemotional stress on the blood system is apparently related to their influence on the adrenergic structures.