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Peptic ulcer is a chronic disease that affects up to 10% of the world's population. The appearance of peptic ulcer is dependent on the presence of gastric juice and its pH and the decrease of the mucosal defense. Two major factors recognized as disruptors of mucosal resistance are nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. The main conventional treatments for peptic ulcer, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonists, are associated with side effects, recurrences and various drug interactions. On the other hand, medicinal plants and their chemical compounds are useful in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. Therefore, this article presents some medicinal herbs that can be used for the treatment or prevention of peptic ulcers.

Propolis, along with honey, royal jelly, pollen, pasture, is a product whose prophylactic and therapeutic properties are known and used in folk medicine since ancient times. Propolis is actually the generic name for the resinous substance collected by honey bees from various plant sources. It is made by bees to defend the colony physically, chemically and biologically. The objectives of the research were: Determination of total polyphenols by UV-VIS spectrometry, Determination of the total flavonoid content by colorimetric method and Identification of individual polyphenols in propolis extract. LC-MS analysis of propolis extract was performed within the Interdisciplinary Research Platform

For over 5,000 years, various crops have used these herbal oils for a variety of health problems. The history of the use of essential oils has its roots in antiquity in countries such as Persia, India, Egypt, China. Essential oils are generally formed during the flowering period of plants and accumulate in flowers, fruits, leaves, roots or bark. The chemical composition of an essential oil obtained from a plant differs depending on the parts of the plant from which it was extracted. This paper lists information about Thuja shrubs which includes 5 species of trees, two of which are native to North America (Thuja occidentalis, Thuja plicata) and three from Western Asia (Thuja koraiensis, Thuja standishii, Thuja sutchuenensis). It presents taxonomy, chemical composition, pharmacological properties and notions about Thuja essential oils. The research part presents the identification of volatile compounds in thuja essential oil by GC-MS method and testing the antimicrobial effect of thuja essential oil.

Phytotherapy can enhance the beneficial health outcomes in the prevention of obesity and is able to improve the function of the metabolic organs, like the liver and kidneys. Since sea buckthorn (SBT) and grape extracts are known as abundant sources of polyphenol, we assumed that the extracts of these two plants might have a hypolipidemic effect and an improved metabolic function in obese rats treated with atorvastatin. One hundred and twelve white Wistar rats were divided equally into seven groups (G.I–VII) and orally treated as follows: G.I, atorvastatin 20 mg × kgbw−1; G.II, atorvastatin 20 mg × kgbw−1 + SBT 100 mg × kgbw−1; G.III, atorvastatin 20 mg × kgbw−1 + grape extract 100 mg × kgbw−1; G.IV, grape extract 100 mg × kgbw−1; G.V, SBT 100 mg × kgbw−1; G.VI, high-fat diet (HFD); group VII was considered the control group. After two and six months of administration, the rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were taken for biochemical analyses. The statistical results (analysis of variance (ANOVA)) showed that a combination of SBT and grape extracts with atorvastatin significantly reduced (p ˂ 0.001) the lipid parameters. After six months, the liver and kidneys improved their functioning, showing a statistically significant change (p ˂ 0.001) in the grape and sea buckthorn groups compared to the other groups. In addition, grape extract and SBT combined with atorvastatin proved to be potent hypolipidemic agents, so associations with phytodietary supplements can be considered as a valuable means of combating hypolipidemia and decreasing risk factors.

Background. Medications to reduce oxidative stress are preventing cellular damage associated with hyperlipidemia. In this regard, statins (e.g., atorvastatin) act primarily by decrease in low-density lipoprotein-c but, in the last decade, hepatotoxicity, associated with liver injuries in the next months after treatments’ initiation, was reported. In this case, associated phytotherapy can be a solution. Purpose. To investigate the antioxidant potential and response to free radicals, in the case of hyperlipidemic rats treated with atorvastatin. Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) and a grape extract (antioxivita) efficiency in the oxidative stress were investigated, also being ascertained the rats’ organs cytoarchitecture. Methods. Eighty-four hyperlipidemic Wistar rats were divided into seven groups and orally treated as follows: ATS, atorvastatin (20 mg/kg·bw); ATS + Hr, atorvastatin + H. rhamnoides; ATS + Aox, atorvastatin + grape extract; Hr, H. rhamnoides; and Aox, grape extract (both as 100 mg/kg·bw). HFD and Control received high fat diet and normal fodder only. After two and six months, respectively, rats were euthanized and the heart, liver, and kidneys were gathered. The tissue samples were prepared by homogenization of 0.5 g tissue, in ethanol, kept for 48 hours at 4°C–10°C and then filtered, in order to assess organs’ cytoarchitecture and the TAC’s values (by using cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assay). The test tubes were incubated, at room temperature, for 30 minutes, and then analyzed using a spectrophotometer at 450–650 nm. Results. The statistics (ANOVA) revealed that sea buckthorn diminished notably (p<0.001) the oxidative stress in the heart, liver, and kidney. After six months, the TAC’s reduced levels for the heart were significant (p<0.001) in ATS + Aox. In the case of histology, the liver’s cytoarchitecture in ATS revealed abnormal cytoarchitecture. In ATS + Hr, ATS + Aox, Hr, and Aox, cell regeneration improved in different stages, especially for ATS + Hr and ATS + Aox, in comparison with HFD, which exhibited fat degeneration. Kidney’s cytoarchitecture revealed cellular healing, especially in ATS + Hr and ATS + Aox.