Vegetation Resources

The review presents generalized literature data on red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) leaves as a promising natural source for obtaining pharmaceutical substances for further development of medicines. Indicators of purity and morphological characteristics of R. idaeus leaves are described: loss on drying — 12.25 ± 0.07%; ash insoluble in hydrochloric acid — 0.29 ± 0.18%; content of extractives with 50% ethanol as solvent — 43.95%. The chemical composition of R. idaeus leaves is shown. R. idaeus leaves contain saponins, salicylic, lactic and succinic acids; phytonicides; macronutrients and trace elements. Mucilage, protein and pectin substances are also present. Vitamins: C, E, carotene; phenolcarboxylic acids (p-coumaric, vanillic); higher aliphatic carbohydrates; organic acids. The main biologically active substances of R. idaeus leaves, which are associated with anti-inflammatory activity, are tannins. The data on pharmacological activity and use of R. idaeus leaves were analyzed. R. idaeus leaves have diaphoretic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulatory, astringent effect. Medicines based on R. idaeus leaves are used to reinforce immune system, prevent and treat gum inflammation, stomatitis, and digestive disorders. Based on the analysis of literature sources, it is possible to consider the R. idaeus leaves as a promising source for the production of various pharmaceutical substances and the development of drugs with different types of pharmacological activity.

Chosenia arbutifolia (Pall.) A. Skvorts.— is one of the most promising woody species for urban greening. The wide natural distribution area of this species (Eurasia) indicates the plant’s high tolerance to climatic factors. However, the current cultigenic range of the species is insignificant due to the complexity of both seed and vegetative reproduction. The purpose of this work is to study the biology of seed germination in several generations of C. arbutifolia, which has been growing in the Central Siberian Botanical Garden of the Siberian Branch RAS (CSBG SB RAS) for 40 years. C. arbutifolia was introduced to the CSBG SB RAS (Novosibirsk) in 1981 by G. P. Semenova as seedlings and juvenile plants grown from the seeds collected in nature (Zabaikalsky Territory). In 2001, seedlings of the second generation were obtained by ground sowing. In 2010—2012, two self-seeded individuals, originating from the second-generation plants appeared. Their seed material was used for the following experiments: studying the morphology of seeds, determining biological longevity, and the influence of storage conditions. The effect on the biology of seed germination of different fruit storage periods (freshly harvested, 20, 30, 300 days, 1—3.5 years of storage), under different conditions (23, 4, –18 °C) is described. Under introduction, in 2006—2024 plants of the second and third generation were blooming in late April—mid-May, and fruiting in early June — mid July. Self-seeding was observed in late June and early July. The fruit of C. arbutifolia is a paracarpous, multi-seeded, dehiscent bivalve capsule. One fruit contains 4 seeds, which have a hairy winged appendage. The spermoderum is transparent, single-layered, mucilaginous. The seeds are 3.15 ± 0.10 mm long, the cotyledons are oblong, make up 66—70 % of the seed length, their width is 26—36 % of their length. From plants of the third generation, self-seeding is more regular, annual, and successfully overwintered. There was no self-seeding in 2024. In 2020, freshly collected seeds germinated after 4 hours, and in 24 hours, the laboratory germination was 100 %. Dry storage of fruits at low temperatures for 1—3.5 years has a beneficial effect on maintaining seed quality. When fruits were stored at –18 °C, high germination remained after 3 years and 10 months of storage (above 90 %). The period before germination was extended to 1—2 days, the dynamics remained almost unchanged, viable seeds germinated in 1—3 days. The following features of the species adaptation to the conditions of introduction were determined: a shift in phenological phases to earlier dates (seed dispersal occurs from mid-June to mid-July, depending on weather conditions), the presence of massive winter-hardy self-seeding, and unpretentiousness of growth. The biological longevity of seeds when fruits are stored at 23 °C is 30 days, at 4 °C increases to 2 years (germination in the second year is 13—20 %). It is recommended to store seeds at –18 °C. The quality of seeds is probably affected by increased humidity during their maturation, laboratory germination of freshly harvested seeds is 18—44 %, and after 10 months of storage at 4 °C it decreases to 0—10 %. The low winter hardiness of seedlings and the influence of weather conditions during seed formation can be explained by the significant absence of young plants in natural conditions. The data obtained will make it possible to expand the cultigenic range of C. arbutifolia, the adaptive ability of the species determines its use in breeding and urban greening.

Eight coenopopulations of Thermopsis mongolica were studied in grazed steppe phytoceneses of the Altai Republic. Thermopsis is a medicinal, poisonous herbaceous long-rhizome perennial plant. The coenopopulations (CP) were assessed using a set of population and organismal characteristics, as well as the content of phenolic compounds in plant leaves and the antioxidant activity of T. mongolica extracts. The following organismal characteristics were selected: phytomass of the aboveground part, height of ramets, number of leaflets per shoot, length of a compound odd-pinnate leaf. The following population parameters were considered: total projective cover, projective cover of the species, proportion of generative partial formations, and ecological density. The position of each studied coenopopulation was assessed in points, corresponding to the value of each characteristic. Plants have the largest size, weight of the above-ground mass and length of the leaflets in the habitats near cattle pens, where Thermopsis colonized empty plots rich in humus. Population indices with maximum density values are also highest there. High indices are found in T. mongolica CPs in grazed communities with suppression of grass stand up to stage III of pasture degradation. The minimum points for organismal and population indices are found in plants under excessive grazing, with pasture devastation. According to the total score, CP 2 (thickets) has an optimal position, CP 8 (devastated pasture) — a pessimal one. In coenopopulations with intensive grazing and/or territories captured by Thermopsis, the higher content of phenolic compounds (more than 20 mg/g of absolutely dry weight in terms of gallic acid) in the leaves and beans was determined. Hydroalcoholic extracts of the same samples exhibited effective antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 0.31–0.59 mg/ml).