Background: Skin wounds can occur for many reasons, including UV radiation, mechanical burns, trauma, and chronic inflammation caused by metabolic factors. In Mongolia, as of 2022, household burns were the top 5 causes of injuries, the leading cause of injuries in children aged 0-5, and accounted for 18.4% of all illnesses in children aged 0-5. Skin burns and wounds take a long time to heal, which causes emotional, aesthetic, and economic stress for doctors. Developing in novative, effective, and low-side effects therapeutic products to improve wound healing is of great clinical and economic importance. The lack of research on the effects of bacterial metabolites and aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) on burn wounds was the basis for our research. Aim: To determine the effects of a mixture of bacterial metabolites and aloe vera on burn wounds in experimental animals. Materials and Methods: Eight-week-old BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: control group, bacterial metabo lite group, and aloe vera group. The mice were anesthetized, and the dorsal hair was shaved over a 2×2 cm area using an electric clipper. A second-degree burn wound model was created by exposing the shaved dorsal skin to hot air at 200°C for 10 seconds. A total of 100 μL of a bacterial metabolite suspension mixed with aloe vera at a 1:1 ratio was applied evenly to the center of the wound. Wound images were captured daily, and wound areas were measured using ImageJ software. Healing was evaluated on days 7, 14, and 21 of treatment and compared with the control group. The initial wound size was defined as 100%, and wound closure percentages were calculated accordingly. Burn skin tissues from both experimen tal and control groups were subjected to immunofluorescence staining for the vascular marker α-SMA (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Statistical analysis: The differences between the control and experimental groups were analyzed using an independent t-test using GraphPad Prism 10 software, and the mean, standard deviation, and statistical correlation were calculated. Results: The effect of the mixture of bacterial metabolites and aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) on the healing of burn wounds in experimental mice was compared with the control group. The wound size at 7 days was 82.1% in the control group and 83.7% in the experimental group (p<0.197), at 14 days was 62.6% in the control group and 58.1% in the exper imental group (p<0.0001), at 21 days was 50.7% in the control group and 32.7% in the experimental group (p<0.0001). No statistically significant difference in wound healing was observed between the groups at day 7; however, significant differences were observed at days 14 and 21. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed uniform expression of α-SMA-pos itive cells in the experimental group at 7, 14, and 21 days of treatment, whereas α-SMA expression was not detected in the control group. Conclusion The combination of bacterial metabolites and aloe vera promotes wound healing in experimental mouse burn wounds.

Background: Plants rich in essential oils belong to more than 50 families, including Asteraceae, Rutaceae, and Lamiaceae. These plants are widely used in food, traditional and modern medicine, perfumery, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Approximately 3,000 types of essential oils have been identified, of which more than 300 are utilized for industrial and commercial purposes. Essential oils exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities and are therefore widely applied in medical research. In Mongolia, the extreme climate, distinct ecological regions, and the prevalence of pastoral livestock husbandry provide a scientific basis for investigating essential oil–containing plants, their chemical composition, and biological activities. Among them, Juniperus Sabina L. is of particular theoretical and practical interest. Aim: To determine the non-toxic dose of essential oil extracted from Juniper Sabina L. on neural cells. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at the Institute of Bio-Medicine, MNUMS. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of MNUMS (Meeting date: November 21, 2025; Protocol No. 2025-26/0301). BV2 microglial and N2a neuronal cell lines were cultured under standard conditions at 37°C in a 5% CO₂ incubator. Cells were maintained in appropriate culture media, and their growth and morphology were monitored microscopically before experimentation. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay. BV2 microglial cells were seeded into 96-well plates at a density of 2×10⁴ cells/well and incubated for 24 hours. Essential oil was added at concentrations ranging from 50–500 µg/mL and incubated for an additional 24 hours. After treatment, MTT reagent was added and incubated for 3 hours. The resulting formazan crystals were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and absorbance was measured at 630 nm. Cell viability was calculated based on absorbance values to determine the non-toxic concentration of the essential oil. Result: The cytotoxic effects of the essential oil were evaluated in BV2 microglial and N2a neuronal cells using the MTT assay. In N2a neuronal cells, concentrations of 50, 100, 200, and 300 µg/mL did not significantly affect cell viability, whereas 400 and 500 µg/mL reduced cell viability, indicating cytotoxic effects. Conclusion According to MTT assay results, the essential oil of Juniperus sabina showed no cytotoxic effect on N2a neuronal cells at concentrations of 50, 100, 200, and 300 µg/mL, while cytotoxic effects were observed at 400 and 500 µg/mL. In BV2 microglial cells, concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL were non-toxic, whereas concentrations above 300 µg/mL exhibited cytotoxic effects.

Background: Globally, research on identifying bioactive compounds from medicinal plants and characterizing their in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities is progressing rapidly. Plants native to Mongolia have adapted to unique, extreme continental climatic conditions, accumulating distinct phytochemicals, and have historically been utilized in traditional medicine and dietary practices. Establishing the non-cytotoxic safety threshold of these wild and cultivated plant extracts in RBL-2H3 mast cells a universally accepted model for type I hypersensitivity and inflammation is a vital prerequisite. Determining these baseline non-toxic dose ranges provides the essential scientific foundation for subsequent cellular allergy models, animal studies, and the elucidation of molecular mechanisms underlying their therapeutic efficacy. Aim: To determine the cytotoxicity profile and establish the non-cytotoxic dose ranges of extracts from four selected Mongolian plant species (wild and cultivated) in RBL-2H3 cells. Materials and Methods: Plant samples including lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), strawberry (Fragaria orientalis), black radish (Raphanus sativus), and blue-berried honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) were standardly collected, authenticated, and cataloged as herbarium specimens at the Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Mongolian Academy of Sciences. A total of 12 distinct extracts were prepared from plant leaves, stems, and fruits using water and ethanol extraction, followed by concentration via rotary evaporation and freeze-drying. Rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells were maintained in EMEM growth medium and utilized during the exponential growth phase. Cell viability and non-cytotoxic concentration thresholds were evaluated using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. Result: Ethanolic extracts of strawberry leaves, black radish, and honeysuckle leaves (≥6.25 µg/mL), as well as aqueous extracts of honeysuckle fruits (≥6.25 µg/mL) and stems (≥25 µg/mL), exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity. Conversely, aqueous extracts of lingonberry leaves (≤200 µg/mL), strawberry leaves (≥100 µg/mL), and black radish (≤200 µg/mL), alongside ethanolic extracts of lingonberry leaves (≥50 µg/mL), demonstrated non-cytotoxic profiles. Furthermore, ethanolic extracts of honeysuckle stems (≤300 µg/mL) and fruits (≥12.5 µg/mL), as well as the aqueous extract of honeysuckle leaves (≤50 µg/mL), significantly enhanced RBL-2H3 cell viability. Conclusion The tested plant extracts influenced RBL-2H3 cell viability in a solvent polarity and plant organ dependent manner. Ethanolic extracts of strawberry leaves, black radish, and honeysuckle leaves, along with aqueous extracts of honeysuckle fruits and stems, demonstrated relatively high cytotoxicity, reducing cell viability by >40% starting at concentrations of 12.5, 25, and 50 µg/mL. In contrast, aqueous extracts of strawberry leaves and black radish, as well as both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of lingonberry leaves, maintained low cytotoxicity at concentrations below 200 µg/mL. Notably, ethanolic extracts of honeysuckle stems and fruits (>12.5 µg/mL) and its aqueous leaf extract (<100 µg/mL) enhanced cell viability, exhibiting significant cell proliferation promoting activity.

Background: Cynomorium songaricum Rupr., known in Mongolia as Ulaan goyo, is a rare parasitic plant of the Central Asian arid regions that grows on the roots of Nitraria. In Mongolian Traditional Medicine, it has long been used as a tonic to preserve vital essence (semen), tonify the kidneys, enhance sexual vitality, and treat paralysis and limb weakness. Aim: This study aims to clarify the historical use and medicinal significance of Cynomorium songaricum through source evidence and provide a scientific explanation by integrating these findings with modern phytochemical and pharmacological research. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using a Historical Research Design (HRD). Methods included comparative-historical analysis and philological study of traditional sources. Key materials examined were V.I. Grubov’s botanical keys, the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (1981), and classical medical texts such as Bencao Gangmu and Bencao Yanyi Bu. Results: Historical records from the 13th-century Yuan dynasty describe the plant’s distribution in the Mongolian Gobi. Traditional texts highlight its ability to tonify “Yin” and increase blood and essence. Modern studies have identified over 90 bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and triterpenoids, which possess antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. Specific formulations like Goyo-11 have been shown to assist in gastric ulcer healing, while Goyo-4 helps reduce liver cell damage in chronic alcoholic liver disease. Toxicological evaluations have confirmed its safety profile. Conclusions 1. The traditional therapeutic applications of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr., as recorded in 13th-century historical sources, closely align with modern scientific evidence. 2. Traditional medicinal claims are validated by contemporary phytochemistry, which identifies bioactive compounds-such as flavonoids, polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and steroids-responsible for its proven pharmacological benefits. 3. Recent studies confirm the plant’s favorable toxicological safety profile and highlight its essential ecological role as a vital component of the desert ecosystem. 4. These findings demonstrate the high therapeutic value of C. songaricum, emphasizing the critical need for future clinical trials, cultivation development, and strategic conservation efforts.

Background: Of the 7,678 plant species growing in Mongolia, more than 1,230 are considered medicinal plants; however, around 900 of these remain unstudied, and only about 200 species are currently used in medical practice. In recent years, the use of natural products in therapy has increased, and research in this field has been rapidly developing. Schizonepeta multifida (L.) Briq., a plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is widely distributed in Mongolia, Siberia, and East Asia, and is traditionally used to treat colds, fever, and inflammatory diseases. Phytochemical studies have shown that its essential oil contains terpenoid compounds such as pulegone and limonene, as well as flavonoids. These compounds are known to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects; however, comprehensive studies on these activities of Schizonepeta multifida growing in Mongolia are limited. Aim: To determine the antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory effects of Schizonepeta multifita Briq. essential oil and to evaluate its anti-stress effects in an experimental chronic stress animal model. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at the Institute of Bio-Medicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences. The aerial parts of Schizonepeta multifida were subjected to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus to obtain essential oil, and the yield was calculated. Antioxidant activity was measured at 517 nm using a spectrophotometer (Agilent BioTek Epoch 2). Cytotoxicity was assessed in BV2 and N2a cell lines using the MTT assay, after which inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TNF-α) were determined in cell cultures using ELISA. For the induction of chronic stress, C57/BL6 mice were divided into healthy control, negative control, and experimental groups. A total of 10 different chronic stress models were randomly applied twice daily for 28 days. Anti-stress effects were evaluated using the forced swim test. Data analysis was performed using Prism 10 software. Results: The yield of essential oil from Schizonepeta multifida was 0.3±0.03%. The antioxidant activity, assessed by the DPPH radical scavenging method, showed an IC₅₀ value of 262.7±2.95 µg/mL, indicating antioxidant potential. Cytotoxicity assays in BV2 and N2a cell lines showed toxic effects starting from a concentration of 200 µg/mL. The essential oil significantly reduced inflammatory markers IL-6 and TNF-α at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL (p<0.05). In the forced swim test, there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between the disease control group and the experimental group. Conclusion The essential oil of Schizonepeta multifida exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-chronic stress effects.

Background: In recent years, natural compounds have been shown to play an important role in cancer prevention and early-stage therapy. Flavanones, a class of polyphenolic compounds present in plants, vegetables, seeds, fruit peels, and flowers, have been identified to possess anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial bioactivities. Cancer has become a major global economic and public health challenge. According to international statistics, one in four individuals (22.8%) die from non-communicable diseases, while one in six (16.8%) die from cancer. Aim: To investigate the effect of a flavanone (5,2’,3’-trihydroxy-6,7-methylenedioxyflavanone) isolated from Iris tenuifolia on the migration of liver cancer cells. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at the Institute of Biomedicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences. The effect of the flavanone (5,2’,3’-trihydroxy-6,7-methylenedioxyflavanone) on cancer cell migration was evaluated in vitro using the scratch assay. Human liver cancer cells (HepG2) were revived and stabilized before experiments were performed. Results: HepG2 cells were treated with a 2.5 μg/mL concentration of the flavanone for 24 hours. In the control group, an initial scratch width of 0.9 mm was reduced to 0.65 mm after 24 hours due to cell proliferation and migration into the denuded area. However, treatment with the 2.5 μg/mL flavanone concentration resulted in the complete inhibition of cell migration. Conclusion The flavanone isolated from Iris tenuifolia effectively suppresses the migration of liver cancer cells.

Background: Insects are an inexhaustible source of medicine, and it is essential to study the biologically active substances contained in insect bodies. Although there is information about various insects and beetles used in traditional Mongolian medicine treatment, there are few studies that have compiled and compared these at the source level. Aim: To study and determine from primary sources information about the composition of pheromone secretions contained in the bodies of various insects and worms used in “Entomotherapy (Insect therapy)” in traditional medicine, particularly rare beetle species, and information about what diseases and ailments these insects were used to treat. Materials and Methods: This study used primary source and historical research methods, analysis-synthesis methods, systematic analytical methods, and historical comparative methods. Information was extracted from traditional medicine source books about insect therapy, particularly identifying and compiling primary sources about the use of beetles in folk medical treatment. Results: According to primary sources, traditional Mongolian medicine used quite a variety of “therapeutic insects and worms” of animal origin, including representatives of arthropods such as scorpions, spiders, centipedes, wasps, bees, various types of beetles, and moths. Among these, stag beetles, dung beetles, and black beetles were used in traditional medicine for treating joint and muscle diseases, various women’s diseases, epilepsy and convulsions, headaches, and all 11 types of bile diseases, with specific prescriptions developed for each condition. Conclusion Traditional medicine treatment used various insects from the biological classification of the insect class, particularly many types of beetles from the Coleoptera order. The pheromone secretions contained in their bodies include many different types of chemical substances.

Background: The genus Thalictrum belongs to the family Ranunculaceae Juss. and comprises approximately 200 species distributed worldwide. Most species occur in temperate regions, although a few are also found in lowland areas. Approximately 43 species of Thalictrum have traditionally been used as medicinal raw materials due to their notable therapeutic properties and reported efficacy. These plants have traditionally been used to treat a wide range of conditions, including infectious diseases, nervous system disorders, joint diseases, intestinal inflammation, gingivitis, tumors, jaundice, pneumonia, and other pulmonary inflammatory conditions. They have also been used for wound healing, reducing fever, treating gastric and duodenal ulcers, managing eye disorders and headaches, restoring physical strength, promoting diuresis, alleviating digestive disturbances, stimulating intestinal peristalsis to facilitate bowel movements, supporting recovery after illness, and treating snakebites. Phytochemical investigations have revealed that Thalictrum species contain diverse bioactive constituents, including alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, fatty acids, and phenolic compounds. These compounds have been associated with various pharmacological properties, particularly antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and antitumor activities. Therefore, Thalictrum minus, a species that is widely distributed in Mongolia but whose chemical composition and biological activities have not yet been comprehensively investigated, was selected for the present study. Aim: To determine total phenolic and flavonoid content of crude extracts of this plant. To investigate the antioxidant activity. Materials and Methods: Total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity were determined using spectrophotometer methods using extracts from the aerial parts of T. minus. Dried flowering plant material of Thalictrum minus, taxonomically identified by the Botanical Garden of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, was obtained from the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Mongolian University of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, with gallic acid as the reference standard, and absorbance was measured at 760 nm. Total flavonoid content (TFC) was determined using an aluminum chloride colorimetric assay, with rutin as the reference standard, and absorbance was measured at 500 nm. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay. Plant extracts at different concentrations were mixed with DPPH solution and incubated in the dark for 30 min. Absorbance was measured at 517 nm using an Agilent BioTek Epoch 2 microplate reader, with quercetin as the positive control. Radical-scavenging activity was calculated as a percentage, and IC₅₀ values were determined from concentration–response curves. All measurements were performed in triplicate or quadruplicate, and results were expressed as IC₅₀±standard deviation (SD). Results: The total phenolic, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of the aerial parts of T. minus, a plant species growing in Mongolia, were evaluated using spectrophotometric methods. The total phenolic content of the aerial parts of Thalictrum minus L. was determined using gallic acid as the reference standard. The absorbance was measured at 500 nm, and the content was calculated using the calibration equation (y=0.6947x + 0.0046, R²=0.9997), yielding a total phenolic content of 5.38±0.09%. The total flavonoid content was determined using rutin as the reference standard and calculated using the calibration equation (y=0.3089x +0.0112, R²=0.9960), yielding a content of 2.04±0.16%. The antioxidant activity of the aerial-part extract was evaluated using the DPPH free-radical scavenging assay, which yielded an IC₅₀ value of 66.09 µg/mL. Conclusion The contents of selected bioactive secondary metabolites in the aerial parts of Thalictrum minus were determined. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the aerial-part extracts was evaluated in comparison with reference standards, demonstrating that the extracts possess antioxidant activity.

Background: HepG2 cells are widely used as an in vitro model for investigating alterations in hepatic cellular metabolism. Studies evaluating the biological activities of plant-derived compounds using HepG2 cells have also increased. Strawberry (Fragaria orientalis), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), radish (Raphanus sativus), and blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) contain polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and other secondary metabolites. The biological activities of these plants may vary depending on species, plant tissue, growing conditions, and extraction methods. Prior to evaluating the biological activities of plant extracts, it is essential to assess their cytotoxic effects on cells and determine appropriate concentrations for subsequent experiments. Therefore, evaluating the effects of plant extracts on the viability of HepG2 cells, a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, is of considerable importance. Aim: To evaluate the effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of strawberry, lingonberry, radish, and cultivated and wild blue honeysuckle on HepG2 cell viability and to determine concentrations exhibiting cytotoxic effects. Materials and Methods: A total of 18 plant extracts were prepared using water and ethanol as extraction solvents. The extracts were obtained from strawberry leaves, lingonberry leaves, radish, and the fruits, stems, and leaves of cultivated and wild blue honeysuckle. The extracts were subsequently dried. HepG2 cells maintained in the Cell Biology Laboratory of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences were revived, stabilized, and used for the experiments. The plant extracts were prepared at concentrations of 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 300 μg/mL and used to treat HepG2 cells. Cell viability was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cytotoxicity was defined as a reduction in cell viability of more than 30% compared with the control group. Results: The aqueous extract of cultivated blue honeysuckle and the ethanolic extracts of its fruits and stems maintained HepG2 cell viability above 70% across the concentration range of 6.25–300 μg/mL, indicating relatively low cytotoxicity. In contrast, the ethanolic extract of cultivated blue honeysuckle leaves reduced cell viability at higher concentrations. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of fruits and stems of wild blue honeysuckle showed no apparent cytotoxic effects, whereas both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of its leaves reduced cell viability to approximately 65% at 300 μg/mL, indicating relatively higher cytotoxicity. Most aqueous and ethanolic extracts of strawberry, radish, and lingonberry maintained cell viability above 70% and showed no cytotoxic effects. The ethanolic extract of strawberry leaves reduced cell viability to approximately 63% even at the lowest concentration of 6.25 μg/mL; however, cell viability tended to increase with increasing extract concentration. Conclusion The effects of plant extracts on HepG2 cell viability varied depending on plant species, tissue type, extraction solvent, and concentration. Most extracts of strawberry, lingonberry, radish, and the fruits and stems of cultivated and wild blue honeysuckle exhibited relatively low cytotoxicity at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 300 μg/mL. However, the ethanolic extract of cultivated blue honeysuckle leaves at 200 μg/mL and the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of wild blue honeysuckle leaves at 300 μg/mL reduced cell viability by more than 30%, indicating relatively higher cytotoxicity.

Background: In recent years, scientists have found that certain natural compounds have significant potential in cancer prevention and early-stage cancer treatment. Flavanones, a class of polyphenolic compounds found in plants, vegetables, seeds, fruit peels, and flowers, have been identified to possess anticancer, antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, and antibacterial bioactivities. Cancer has become a major global challenge in terms of both economic and public health concerns. Global statistics indicate that 22.8% of deaths are attributed to non-communicable diseases, and 16.8% are caused by cancer, accounting for one in four and one in six deaths, respectively. Aim : To investigate anticancer effects of Iris Tenuifolia-derived flavanone on cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods : The study was conducted at the Bio-Medical Research Institute of the Mongolian National Uni versity of Medical Sciences, investigating the effect of flavanones on cancer cell viability under in vitro conditions using the MTT assay. In the study, colon, liver, and lung cancer cells were cultured, stabilized, and used for the experiments. Colorectal cancer cells (MC38), liver cancer cells (HepG2), and lung cancer cells (A549) were revived, cultured, and stabilized for use in the experimental procedures. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using Microsoft Excel 2010, and graphs were generated using GraphPad Prism 8. Differences between groups were analyzed using Student’s t-test, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results : We treated MC38, HepG2, and A549 cancer cells with different concentrations of flavanone (2.5 µM, 5 µM, and 10 µM) for 24 to 48 hours to evaluate cell viability. Flavanone inhibited A549 cell viability by 2.5 μM-10%, 5 μM-25%, and 10 μM-38%, respectively. For HepG2 cells, flavanone treatment at concentrations of 5-10 µM reduced cell viability by 28–58%. No statistically significant effect on the viability of MC38 cells was observed following treatment with flavanone at concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 10 µM. Additionally, although MC38 inhibited cell viability in a dose-de pendent manner in cell cultures, it had a statistically significant effect at higher concentrations of 30-200 μM (p<0.01). Conclusion Flavanone inhibits the cancer cell viability in a dose and time dependent manner