Vol. 56 No. 2 (258) (2022)

Blood plasma albumin (bovine serum albumin, BSA) interaction with a biologically active reagent 4-hydroxy-2-methylquinoline (4H2MQ) has been studied using fluorescence spectroscopy methods (steady state, synchronous, excitation/emission matrix, 3D spectra). With the addition of 4H2MQ, no changes in the spectral characteristics of BSA (fluorescence emission intensity and λmax position) are observed; only the symmetry of the BSA emission spectrum is changed and the full width at half maximum is decreased. The analysis of synchronous and 3D fluorescence spectra showed the existence of three emitting species in this system, which could be a result of changes in the fluorescence and photochemical properties of 4H2MQ.

The interaction of gold (III) with 2-(3-azepan-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropylthioacetic acid has been studied by means of potentiometric titration and amperometric titration methods. It has been shown that the given interaction possesses an oxidation-reduction character with further complex formation. The ratio of interacting substances (oxidizer : reducing agent) is 1:1. A possible scheme of interaction has been also suggested.

Continuing previous similar research, the ability of sulfates of elements of the second group – magnesium, calcium and zinc, to produce peroxosolvates, the methods for their preparation, as well as their properties have been studied. It has been shown that these sulfates are able to produce peroxosolvates with different molar ratios: MgSO₄‧H₂O₂, CaSO₄‧0.04H₂O₂, ZnSO₄‧0.05H₂O₂. The authenticity, composition and nature of the obtained peroxosolvates have been elucidated by the methods of X-ray and IR spectroscopy. Quantitative data on the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in dry peroxosolvates of magnesium and zinc sulfates were calculated.

The influence of the acidic treatment of peat on its sorption properties has been studied by means of optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES) and pH-metry methods. Untreated peat of the Vardenis deposit, Armenia, and acid-activated peat were used as sorption materials. As an activation process, we consider preferably the elimination of metal ions captured on the peat surface. During this active sorption groups (particularly acetic) are released from the surface and such acidic groups together with other functional groups begin to act according to the cation exchange mechanism.

Bacterial collagenolytic proteases have drawn increasing attention due to their essential role in the global nitrogen cycling and their virulent role in some diseases. The inhibition of these enzymes is attractive, as it does not attack the pathogen directly but rather blocks the colonization and infiltration of the host by the clostridia. Optically active non-protein α-amino acids have been screened for their ability to inhibit collagenase of Clostridium histolyticum. Both structure-based drug design approach (modeling) and that of determining enzyme activity in the presence of amino acids have been used to identify low molecular weight inhibitors of collagenase. The compounds able to inhibit collagenase activity have been revealed and IC₅₀ values have been estimated.

One of the main problems of nature conservation and protection of the environ-ment is the reducing of flammability of natural and synthetic materials as well as products based on them. In order to obtain non-combustible materials such as flame retardants, monosodium salt of orthophosphoric acid, urea, thiourea and their mono-methylol derivatives, as well as N-monomethylol acrylamide were used in this work. The reaction for the synthesis of the mentioned compounds was carried out in the presence of a small amount of water. During the reaction between urea and monosodium salt of orthophosphoric acid, ammonia and СО₂ were released. In the case of the reaction of thiocarbamide with the monosodium salt of orthophosphoric acid, in addition to ammonia and CO₂, hydrogen sulfide is partially released, the formation mechanism of which is presented in the work.

In the present work the interaction of methyl violet (MV) with human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been studied by the UV-denaturation method and the obtained data were compared. The denaturation parameters – denaturation temperature and denaturation interval width, were determined. It was shown that MV, binding to serum albumins, stabilizes their structure. At the same time, the stabilization degree is different. It was also shown that BSA is stabilized more, than HSA, while binding to MV.

Currently diabetes mellitus (DM) is a worldwide problem linked to hyper-glyce¬mia and has affected people both in developing and developed countries. DM is divided into Type 1 (T1DM) and Type 2 (T2DM). Moreover, the T2DM is the most prevalence form that encompasses a reduce responsiveness to insulin-sensitive cells or defects in insulin secretion. Exposure to chronic immobilization stress contributes to the development of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia that can lead to cardiovascular complications. Herbs with hypoglycemic properties, especially Origanum vulgare L., would be useful in hyperglycemia treatment. Oral administration of aqueous extract showed significant effect on hyperglycemia and improving glucose tolerance. In addition, extract of O. vulgare reduced total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and vice versa increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and also decreased liver enzymes levels (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) compared with untreated group and might be recommended as herbal remedy in the treatment of stress-induced hyperglycemia.

A preliminary evaluation of ATPase was performed in an experimental model of breast cancer. Total and mitochondrial ATPase activities were studied in the breast and liver of rats with DMBA-induced breast cancer. It has been shown that during the development of breast cancer in these tissues there is a significant increase in ATPase activity. At the same time, an increase in ATPase activity is seen in the liver of rats. In the case of treatment cancer rats with H.alpestre, there are almost no changes in ATPase activity in rats' liver homogenate and mitochondria compared to cancer animals. In the case of combined treatment with chemical inhibitors and H.alpestre, ATPase activity is significantly reduced with the use of L-NAME, the values obtained are lower even compared to healthy animals. However, with the use of nor-NOHA, a further increase in ATPase activity is observed. The obtained results will allow evaluation of the effectiveness of the therapeutic model by changing the energy balance, and selecting furthermore effective doses, to clarify the mechanisms of influence of these combination models.

Plants are valuable sources of antioxidants, which could have beneficial effect on human health. In this respect flavonoids and other polyphenolic compounds have gained the greatest attention. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro antiradical activity of different extracts (ethanol, hexane, acetone, chlorophorm and methanol) of Artemisia vulgaris L., A. fragrans Willd., A. absinthium L. and A. splendens Willd., represented in Armenian flora. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to measure the radical scavenging activity of extracts obtained from Artemisia species. A. fragrans methanol and chlorophorm extracts possess the highest antiradical activity with IC₅₀ value of 87 µg/mL and 98 µg/mL, respectively. The total flavonoid content in plant extracts was determined employing AlCl₃ colorimetric assay. The content of total flavonoid compounds of A. fragrans methanol extract was 15.3±0.3 μg QE/mg. The Folin–Ciocalteu assay was used to determine the total phenolic content of studied extracts. The contents of total phenolic compounds of A. fragrans chlorophorm and methanol extracts were 55.9±1.7 μg and 87.3±1.8 μg of GAE/mg, respectively. In the other cases this parameter value was lower than 40 μg of GAE/mg indicated.

One of the most important problems is to reduce the level of indoor air contamination by micromycete. It is known that houseplants with high phytoncide activity have an antifungal effect. In order to reduce the level of contamination in the air of the office room, $Pelargonium~graveolens$ L'Her. plant and essential oil of Geranium were used. The results of the study showed that the level of air pollution with micromycetes was reduced 3 times when there was a $Pelargonium~graveolens$ plant in the room, and the air contamination is reduced 4 times when there is houseplant combined with Geranium essentiale oil.

In connection with taxonomic study of representatives of the Geraniaceae family of Armenian flora. Usually during the species identification the structure of the root system, life form, leaf morphology, flower structure, inflorescence, carpels structure are taken into account. The karyological research of the genus Geranium growing in Armenian flora has revealed the following: for 8 species we discovered diploid and tetraployid cytoraces. The basic chromosome numbers х = 9, 10, 13, 14 shows up in the genus Geranium.