FEATURES OF THE COMPOSITION MACRO ELEMENTS AND TRACE ELEMENTS OF THE EXTRACT OF ALFREDIA CERNUA (L.) CASS., POSSESSING PSYCHOTROPIC EFFECT
The 95% ethanol extract of Alfredia drooping Alfredia cernua (L.) Cass. (Asteraceae) aerial part exhibits pronounced antidepressant, nootropic and anxiolytic activity. The aim of the work was the qualitative and quantitative analysis of macro-, trace and ultra trace elements of the pharmacologically active extract of the aerial part of the plant. The study of the elemental composition of the extract was performed after ashing using instrumental neutron activation analysis with irradiation with thermal neutrons. The study found 26 elements, of which eight are (conditionally) essential, two macro elements and four trace elements. The obtained results indicate the prevalence of Alfredia cernua of calcium, zinc, sodium, strontium, bromine, as well as iron, barium, cobalt, chromium and lanthanum in the pharmacologically active extract. The extract concentrates a specific group of elements (zinc, cobalt, thorium, hafnium, bromine, chromium, lutetium, lanthanum, strontium, samarium) in comparison with the feedstock, which can be explained by the formation of strong organometallic compounds and chelate complexes. Macro-, trace and ultra trace elements can have a significant impact on metabolic processes, nervous, immune, endocrine, cardiovascular systems, they are an integral part of enzymes, give other biologically active substances an easily digestible form and potentiate their effects.