Creation of medicinal products on the basis of Limonium gmelinii

The expected advantage of herbal medicines lies in softness and complexity of their therapeutic action, low toxicity, absence of cumulative effects, addiction and rare induction of allergic reactions. One of the medicinal plants meeting those criteria is Limonium gmelinii (Willd.) Kuntze, family Plumbagenaceae, which has industrial resources on the territory of Kazakhstan.

Roots of L. gmelinii are introduced into the medicine in 2005 (Pharmacopeial Article 42 – 903 – 05) and as a monograph into the State Pharmacopoeia of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2009 (Vol. 2, pp. 706 – 707). Unified by the source name “Limonidin” was given to all medicinal products, derived from the roots of L. gmelinii.

Substance “Limonidin” is obtained with 22 – 25% yield by extraction of roots with 50% ethanol followed by concentration of filtrate to dryness. The chemical study of this substance revealed that the largest group of biologically active compounds is comprised of polyphenols: flavonoids with dominance of aglycone myricetin and its glycoside and condensed tannins, including (-)-epigallocatechine-(4β→8)-(-)-3,5,7,3',4',6'-hexahydroxyflavan and (+)-gallocatechine-(4α→8)-[(-)-epigallocatechine]5-(4β→8)-(-)-epigallocatechin gallate (Chemistry of Natural Compounds, 2006). As was shown by clinical trials its hepatoprotective activity is comparable with Silibor, its antiviral effect with amphotericin B, oxolinic ointment and ribavirin.

Tincture “Limonidin” was obtained by extraction of roots with 70% ethanol, filtration and sedimentation, whereas ointment and syrup “Limonidin” were created on the basis of the substance. Basis of the ointment are petrolatum and emulsifier T-2; other excipients include methyl and propyl parabens, 40% ethanol and purified water. Besides the substance and purified water syrup also includes 95% ethanol, glycerin and sugar. As it was shown by clinical trials, the tincture and the syrup display anti-inflammatory effect, while ointment – antiviral and antiinflammatory.