SQUAT CLOUDBERRY (RUBUS CHAMAEMORUS): BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION, DISTRIBUTION, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE PLANT AND THEIR PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

The industry of medicinal preparations from plant raw materials containing biologically active substances with therapeutic properties is a promising direction in pharmacy and pharmacology. The range of plant raw materials used to isolate these substances is diverse. Many plants are not pharmacopoeial and are used in traditional medicine. At the same time, when they are used, there is a proven therapeutic effect. The study of their chemical composition showed the presence of highly effective biologically active substances in sufficient quantities. The squat cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus) is a perennial low herbaceous plant of the Rosaceae family, growing in the northern and Arctic regions of the Eurasian continent and North America. The plant raw materials of cloudberry squat are actively used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. As additional means to the main treatment, not only fruits can be used, but also other parts of the plant – leaves, rhizome and sepals. All parts of the plant are used as an aid for kidney stones, gout, hypovitaminosis, respiratory diseases of various genesis. Fruits can have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, diaphoretic, antispasmodic effect. The plant raw materials of the squat cloudberry have a wide range of various biologically active substances, which determines its pharmacological effect. Thus, cloudberry fruits are a source of vitamins of groups A, C, PP B, K and minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, cobalt, iron, manganese, zinc, copper and others. Also, this type of raw material contains sugars (glucose and fructose), organic acids (citric and malic acids). Essential fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic and oleic) have been identified in cloudberry. A special group of substances extracted from cloudberry in pharmacological terms are polyphenolic compounds (flavones, tannins, anthocyanins, catechins, cyanidins) that have proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.