This research investigates the efficiency of two methods for extracting bioactive compounds from fig leaves (Ficus carica) using different solvents. Dried fig leaves were used as  extraction material. The focus is on Soxhlet extraction and Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) methods. Also, two different solvents, methanol and ethanol, were used for extractions. Given that the enzyme ficin is one of the significant bioactive compounds in fig leaf latex, the aim was to explore and determine which method and solvent gives a higher extraction yield and better preservation of thermolabile components such as this enzyme. The results show that Soxhlet extraction provides a higher total extract yield and requires a longer extraction time. In this study, the highest yields of 12.3% were obtained using the methanol solvent using the Soxhlet method compared to ultrasonic extraction which showed a lower yield of 6.4%. In contrast to that, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) yields a higher-quality extract in a shorter extraction time. However, due to the high temperatures required for Soxhlet extraction, denaturation of ficin occurs, which leads to the formation of a dry extract without the presence of this enzyme. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method does not require high temperatures, which enables the preservation of ficin and the formation of a mucilaginous extract due to the presence of enzymes. Due to the temperature sensitivity of bioactive compounds, the choice of extraction method significantly affects the stability and quality of the final extract.

In this study, polyphenolic compounds from pomegranate peel (Punica granatum) were extracted using different extraction methods. Three techniques were applied for polyphenol extraction: Soxhlet extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and maceration. These methods varied in the time required for extraction and the yield of dry extract. For Soxhlet and ultrasound-assisted extraction, two solvents were used: methanol and ethanol. While maceration is simple and cost-effective, it was found to be the least efficient method for extraction. The removal of ethanol and methanol from the extracts was successfully achieved through evaporation, ensuring the purity of the extracts.The results obtained showed that Soxhlet extraction with methanol gave the highest yield of 33.5% compared to the ethanol solvent with 30.45%.Ultrasound-assisted extraction also yielded significant results, but the difference in yield was more pronounced depending on the solvent used. The goal of this study was to determine and present the efficiency of each extraction method. Further research will focus on assessing the antioxidant capacity of the extracted polyphenolic compounds.

Origanum compactum, Melaleuca alternifolia, and Cinnamomum camphora essential oils are recognized for their therapeutic potential, including their selective cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines. Our research focused on examining the cytotoxic effects of these essential oils on three human carcinoma cell lines: lung carcinoma (H460), cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa), and colorectal carcinoma (HCT116). The MTT-based cell viability assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of essential oils. The results demonstrated that all three essential oils exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic potential, with varying levels of growth inhibition across the cell lines. Notably, the highest sensitivity was observed in H460 cells, and the lowest sensitivity was found in HCT116 cells. Origanum compactum demonstrated the strongest cytotoxicity across all cell lines (GI50 73 - 154 nL/mL), making it the most promising candidate for further investigation, particularly for lung and cervical cancer treatment.

This study compares two titrimetric methods for quantifying acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in aspirin tablets stored under different environmental conditions. ASA stability can be influenced by factors such as temperature, humidity, and light exposure. The two titrimetric methods used are acid-base titration with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Aspirin tablets were stored for 30 days under controlled conditions simulating varying environmental factors, and both methods were evaluated for accuracy, precision, and reliability. The results show a strong  correlation between the two methods, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.937 and a high Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), indicating consistency and reliability. However, the paired t-test revealed a statistically significant difference (r = 0.937, p = 0.001) between the  methods, suggesting small but meaningful discrepancies in their results. The Bland-Altman   analysis demonstrated that Method I consistently provided higher values than Method II, while the linear regression analysis indicated that Method II slightly underestimates values compared to Method I. Overall, both methods were found to be highly reliable and interchangeable within certain limits, but the small systematic differences between them should be considered when interpreting results. This study provides valuable insights into the performance of titrimetric   methods for ASA quantification, contributing to the optimization of pharmaceutical analysis techniques.

Plant oils have attracted interest for centuries as natural remedies in treatment of various diseases. The Inula verbascifolia (Willd.) Hausskn.isgrowing wild plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Aromatic natural oils are one of the most significant sources of natural organic components. The natural vegetable oil of the selected plant (Inula verb.) was obtained by the hydrodistillation method. A comparison was made between the fragrant vegetable oil from the aerial parts of the plant in the flowering period (summer) and after the flowering period (autumn). In this study, chemical compounds were tested, comparing the content and composition of natural oils from the plant Inula verbascifolia. The aerial parts of the plant contained a fragrant and yellow essential oil. The identified 125 constituents accounted for 86.87% and 88.38% of the oil. The dominant compounds of both EOs were tridecanal, (3Z)- hexenyl benzoate, α-murolol, hexadecanoic acid, linalool and undecanal. Since essential aromatic oils possess a number of antimicrobial properties, an analysis of antimicrobial activity was also performed in this work. The antimicrobial activity of a mixture of EOs was determined on selected ATCC strains of microorganisms. Results of antimicrobial activity indicated that all used the microorganisms were sensitive to the EO. No data about antimicrobial activity of Inula verbascifolia has been published yet.

This study evaluated the stability of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in commercial Aspirin Protect 100 mg tablets under eight different storage conditions, including varying exposure to moisture, light, and temperature, with a focus on tablets stored in dosette boxes. Acid-base titration methods were used to assess ASA degradation and stability. Elevated moisture had the greatest impact on ASA stability, significantly reducing recovery factors to 85.38% and 81.10% under high humidity, while temperature influenced ASA stability, with notable deviations from control values at temperatures above 25°C (13.26% and 7.16% for two methods). Although storage at 18–25°C yielded acceptable results, reduced temperatures (<8°C) provided better stability. Direct sunlight exposure caused further degradation, reducing recovery values to as low as 82.5% and increasing deviations from control (-10.82% to -16.77%). Hydrolysis, exacerbated by environmental factors, was identified as the primary degradation pathway, leading to the formation of salicylic acid and acetic acid. Samples stored in under recommended conditions had the best stability, with recovery factors meeting pharmacopoeia standards (101.08% and 99.16% of labelled content). These findings underscore the importance of proper storage practices for ASA tablets to maintain their quality, safety, and therapeutic efficacy. While repackaging tablets into dosette boxes may improve compliance, it can compromise stability, highlighting the need for stricter storage guidelines to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

In this research, the antioxidant activity and its correlation with the polyphenolic content in pumpkin leaf extracts (Cucurbita pepo L.) were examined. Dried and pulverized pumpkin leaves were used as extraction material. Various solvents (water, methanol, ethanol, acetone) and their mixtures, in a ratio of 50:50 (v/v) (water: methanol, water: ethanol, water: acetone) were used for extraction. The solid-to-solvent ratio was 1:10. The influence of solvents on phenolic extraction, as well as the effect of ultrasonic extraction was investigated. The samples were subjected to ultrasound for 15 minutes. The total phenolic content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and the antioxidant activity of the extracts by FRAP and DPPH methods. The obtained results indicate the importance of choosing an adequate extraction solvent for phenolic isolation from plant material. Mixtures of organic solvents and water, especially a mixture of water and acetone, are the most suitable for the extraction of phenolic compounds. At the same time, a positive correlation was established between the content of total phenols and the antioxidant activity of the extracts. This suggests that phenols contribute significantly to the antioxidant properties of pumpkin leaves. The results showed the potential medicinal properties of pumpkin leaves but further studies are needed to identify, characterize and isolate different bioactive components, which could be used as a basis for obtaining new drugs for the treatment of various diseases.

Aims: The aims of the study were to analyse the polyphenols of Pulicaria dysenterica (L.) Bernh. methanolic extracts from aerial and underground parts, assessment of antioxidant activity and to evaluate their cytotoxicity on HeLa cells of cervical cancer. Methodology: The total phenolic content (TPC) of extracts was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu spectrophotometric method. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of individual polyphenolic compounds were performed by the reverse phase HPLC method. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated by both, 2,2-diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl radical and FRAP assay, while cytotoxicity of the extracts was assessed by MTT assay. Results: TPC of the samples were 127.62±2.22 and 244.12±8.84 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract. In the extracts chlorogenic acid in amount of 10.06±0.96 and 11.32±0.28 mg/g, flavonoid rutin in amount of 5.68±0.13 mg/g and three caffeic acid derivatives were recorded. Extract from underground parts achieved better antioxidant activity with IC50 value 55.36±0.75 µg/mL and FRAP value 2411.12±37.22 µmol Fe2+g-1 compared to the one from aerial parts. Extract from aerial parts achieved better cytotoxic activity with 50% inhibition of viability (IC50) at concentration of 0.389±0.07 mg/mL, against HeLa cells, compared to the extract from underground parts. Conclusion: Analyzed Pulicaria dysenterica extracts contained phenolic acids and flavonoids. The extracts showed good antioxidant activity and cytotoxic properties against HeLa cells in vitro.