Background: Plants of the genus Achillea are widely used in both traditional and modern medicine and are known to be rich in biologically active secondary metabolites. Numerous phytochemical and histochemical studies have been con ducted on Achillea millefolium L.; however, Achillea asiatica Serg., which is widely distributed in Mongolia, remains comparatively underexplored. Therefore, investigating the distribution of biologically active compounds, the content of polyphenolic compounds, and the optimal extraction conditions of this species is of significant scientific and practical importance. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify biologically active compounds in Achillea asiatica Serg. using histochemical methods, to determine the content of polyphenolic compounds and optimal extraction conditions, and to evaluate the total and internal absorption coefficients of the plant raw material. Materials and Methods: The aerial parts of Achillea asiatica Serg. were collected in August 2025 from Erdene soum, Tuv province, Mongolia. Histochemical analysis was performed on transverse stem sections and flower petals using potassium dichromate, ferric chloride (III), methylene blue, Lugol’s iodine, and Dragendorff’s reagent, followed by ob servation under a light microscope. The total polyphenolic content was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and expressed as gallic acid equivalents. Extraction experiments were conducted using powdered plant material sieved to par ticle sizes of 1, 2, and 3 mm and extracted with 20–80% ethanol. In addition, the total and internal absorption coefficients of the plant material were determined according to standard procedures. Results: Histochemical analysis revealed the presence of essential oils, polyphenolic compounds (tannins and flavo noids), and starch, while alkaloids were not detected. Polyphenolic compounds were observed in both stems and flow ers, with more pronounced accumulation in the vascular tissues. The highest total polyphenolic content (0.421%) was obtained from the 1 mm particle-size fraction extracted with 70–80% ethanol. Using 60% ethanol, the total absorption coefficient of the plant material was determined to be 5.74, and the internal absorption coefficient was 1.885. Conclution Achillea asiatica Serg. is rich in polyphenolic compounds, and their anatomical distribution is closely as sociated with the plant’s protective and biological functions. The use of 1 mm particle-size material and 70–80% ethanol was identified as the most suitable condition for extracting polyphenolic compounds. These findings provide a scientific basis for the standardization of Achillea asiatica Serg. as a medicinal and phytopharmaceutical raw material and support its further pharmacognostic and phytochemical investigation.

Background: Evaluation of genotoxic potential is essential for reducing carcinogenic risk and for assessing the safety of newly developed pharmaceutical products, traditional herbal medicines, and health supplements. Such evaluation plays an important role in protecting human health. Therefore, in Mongolia, it is necessary to investigate the safety of domestically produced pharmaceutical preparations, natural products, and traditional medicines on a scientific basis in accordance with international standards; to develop and implement national policies and standards; to introduce and localize appropriate methodologies; to protect human health; to prevent cancer, hereditary diseases, and longterm adverse effects; and to promote the rational use of medicines. Aim: To investigate the mutagenic properties of an herbal combination preparation in vitro and its genotoxic effects in vivo. Materials and Methods: Extracts were prepared from Dasiphora fruticosa, Cynara scolymus, and Rosa acicularis, and a herbal combination preparation was formulated in specific proportions. Mutagenicity was evaluated according to OECD Guideline 471 (Bacterial Reverse Mutation Test) using the Salmonella typhimurium TA100 strain under both S9 (-) and S9 (+) conditions with the Muta-Chromoplate™ assay. The combination preparation was tested at concentrations of 5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.625, 0.3125, and 0.1562 mg/mL in 96 wells, and reverse-mutated bacterial colonies were assessed by counting the number of wells that changed color from purple to yellow. In addition, using the IPHASE Biosciences kit, the preparation was tested at doses of 5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.625, 0.3125, and 0.1562 mg/plate on Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and TA98 strains under both S9 (-) and S9 (+) conditions. After incubation, the number of bacterial colonies formed was counted and compared with that of the positive control group. Genotoxicity was assessed according to OECD Guideline 474 (Mammalian Erythrocyte Micronucleus Test) by evaluating the numbers of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs), normochromatic erythrocytes (NCEs), and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in the bone marrow of BALB/c mice. Result: In the study using the Muta-Chromoplate™ assay, bacterial colonies were observed at doses ranging from 5.0 to 0.1562 mg/mL of the herbal combination preparation. However, compared with the positive control group (aminoanthracene), the number of bacterial colonies was significantly lower (p<0.05). In the study using the IPHASE Biosciences kit, 30–154 bacterial colonies were observed in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains under S9 (-/+) conditions at doses ranging from 5.0 to 0.156 mg/plate, which was approximately threefold lower than that observed in the positive control groups. In the positive control group treated with cyclophosphamide, the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes was increased. Conclusion The herbal combination preparation showed no mutagenic activity in either of the two mutation detection assays using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains under S9 (-/+) conditions. In addition, it showed no genotoxic effect in the micronucleus assay.

Background: Ephedra przewalskii Stapf. is a perennial shrubby plant of the family Ephedraceae, naturally distributed in the dry and cold desert regions of Mongolia. In traditional medicine, the stems and roots of this plant have been used as decoctions for the treatment of gastrointestinal spasms, abdominal distension, urinary retention, and general fatigue. Members of the Ephedraceae family are known to contain sympathomimetic alkaloids such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which exert strong physiological effects on the central nervous system, respiratory tract, and cardiovascular system. However, detailed information on the tissue- and cell-level localization of biologically active compounds and the microstructural characteristics of E. przewalskii remains limited. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the microanatomical structure and histochemical characteristics of the stem and root of Ephedra przewalskii Stapf., with particular emphasis on the localization of biologically active compounds. Materials and Methods: Plant samples were collected in July from Chandmani soum, Govi-Altai province, Mongolia. The collected material was air-dried in the shade and softened using Ostrich and Fleming solution prior to sectioning. Transverse sections of the stem and root were prepared using a hand microtome and examined under an Olympus light microscope. Histochemical analyses were performed using standard reagents to detect alkaloids, phenolic compounds, tannins, essential oils, polysaccharides, and starch. Results: The stem epidermis consisted of thin-walled, quadrangular cells with a surface covered by spherical protuberances. The stomatal apparatus exhibited a tetracytic structure, and photosynthetic activity was primarily localized in the stem chlorenchyma. The vascular bundles were collateral, with phloem located externally and xylem internally. Idioblasts containing reddish-brown crystalline inclusions were observed in the central pith of the stem. The root showed a polyarch central cylinder, with uniformly distributed, rounded parenchymal cells, and idioblasts similar to those observed in the stem. Histochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, polysaccharides, and tannins in the stem, predominantly localized in parenchymal and chlorenchymal tissues. In the root, polysaccharides, tannins, and starch were detected, whereas alkaloid accumulation was more prominent in the stem parenchyma. Conclusion The microscopic examination of Ephedra przewalskii Stapf. revealed the characteristic structures of the stem epidermis, stomata, chlorenchyma, vascular tissues, and crystal-containing idioblasts, as well as a polyarch central cylinder in the root. Histochemical reactions detected flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, starch, and polysaccharides in the stem, whereas tannins, starch, and polysaccharides were identified in the root. These findings provide a comprehensive characterization of the anatomical and chemical features of the different plant organs.

Background: Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in regulating cellular responses to oxidative stress and xenobiotic exposure. However, excessive NRF2 activation can enhance cancer cell survival and contribute to chemoresistance. Therefore, increasing attention has been directed toward naturally occurring flavonoids that may modulate NRF2 activity. Molecular docking provides a computational approach for predicting potential interactions between flavonoids and NRF2 and may help identify candidate compounds for further investigation in cancer therapy. Objective: To evaluate the potential interactions of five naturally occurring flavonoids—daidzin, rutin, luteolin, apigenin, and quercetin—with the Neh1 domain of NRF2 using molecular docking and to identify promising candidates for further investigation based on docking scores and ligand efficiency. Materials and Methods: The potential interactions of five natural flavonoids, namely daidzin, rutin, luteolin, apigenin, and quercetin, with the target region of NRF2 were investigated using molecular docking. Three-dimensional structures of the flavonoids were retrieved from the PubChem database, while the NRF2 protein structure was obtained from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). Molecular docking calculations were performed using the CB-Dock2 web platform, which incorporates the AutoDock Vina algorithm. Results: The docking scores of the selected flavonoids ranged from −64.9 to −77.2. Daidzin exhibited the most favorable docking score (−77.2), followed by apigenin (−72.0) and luteolin (−71.4), whereas rutin showed the least favorable score (−64.9). The calculated RMSD values ranged from 14.766 to 15.344 Å, with relatively small differences among the ligands. Daidzin and apigenin exhibited comparatively lower RMSD values. The reported pose-clustering analysis indicated that all ligands occupied similar binding regions. In terms of ligand efficiency, apigenin (−2.40), luteolin (−2.30), and quercetin (−2.20) showed comparatively favorable values. Although daidzin had the most favorable docking score, its ligand efficiency relative to molecular size was comparatively lower. Conclusion The results suggest that daidzin and apigenin may be candidate compounds for further investigation of potential interactions with the Neh1 domain of NRF2. However, these findings are based solely on computational analysis. Further molecular dynamics simulations and experimental studies are required to validate the predicted interactions and determine their actual effects on NRF2 activity.