Background: Skin diseases are highly prevalent worldwide. Although plant-derived medicinal materials continue to be used among Mongolians for the traditional and household management of dermatological conditions, studies that systematically quantify their frequency of use, informant consensus, and cultural significance remain limited. Aim: To determine the traditional knowledge, patterns of use, and cultural significance of plant-derived medicinal materials used for dermatological conditions among residents of Ulaanbaatar using quantitative ethnobotanical indices. Materials and Methods: Information was collected on the diversity of plant species used for dermatological conditions, modes and frequency of use, perceived effectiveness, adverse effects, and methods of preparation and processing. The collected data were evaluated using quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including the Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Fidelity Level (FL), Relative Popularity Level (RPL), Rank Order Priority (ROP), Cultural Importance Index (CII), Jaccard Index (JI), and Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index (SDI). Statistical analyses were performed using Microsoft Excel 2016. The study was conducted with the approval of the Research Ethics Review Committee of the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (Approval Protocol No. 25-06/03-03 and Ethical Opinion Protocol No. 26/03-B02). Result: A total of 73 plant species belonging to 36 families were documented, with species from the Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Apiaceae, and Liliaceae families being predominant. Regarding modes of use, 29.6% of the remedies were prepared as infusions or decoctions and applied as washes or topical applications, 18.9% involved the direct application of plant juice, and 18.1% were applied as mashed plant material or poultices. Aloe barbadensis showed the highest ethnobotanical importance, with UV= 0.19, RFC=0.128, CII=0.19, RPL=1.00, and ROP=100. Nugaraa altan tovch, Gobi thyme, yashilduu sea buckthorn, and greater plantain were also highly ranked. The Informant Consensus Factor was highest for thermal burns (ICF=0.82), followed by open wounds (ICF=0.77) and pustular acne (ICF=0.76). Eighteen species overlapped with the 126 medicinal materials recorded in traditional medicinal prescriptions, yielding a Jaccard Index of JI=10%. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index was H′=3.4184, with an evenness value of E=0.7967. Among the informants, 40.8% reported a reduction in symptoms, while 61.9% reported no adverse effects associated with the use of plant-derived medicinal materials. Conclusion 1. Among residents of Ulaanbaatar, information was documented on the use of 73 plant species belonging to 36 families for skin diseases. Knowledge of these plants was transmitted mainly within families, and topical methods of use, including washing with herbal infusions, rinsing, and direct application of expressed plant juice, were predominant. 2. According to the quantitative ethnobotanical indices, Aloe vera showed the highest values for use, citation frequency, and cultural importance. Matricaria chamomilla L., Thymus gobicus Tschern., Hippophae rhamnoides L., and Plantago major L. also ranked highly. The highest Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) values were observed for thermal burns, open skin wounds, and acne vulgaris.

Background: Diabetes mellitus accounts for 42.9% of endocrine and nutritional metabolic diseases in Mongolia, with a prevalence of 111.4 cases per 10,000 population. This represents a 28.5% increase compared with the previous year (82.9 cases per 10,000 population in 2019), indicating a continuing upward trend in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus. In Mongolian traditional medicine, Sapparin tablets are used to treat blood disorders and liver diseases. The formulation contains four major herbal ingredients: C. jubata, C. sappan, Z. officinale, and H. rhamnoides. Aim: To study the effects of Sapparin in a high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetic model in experimental rats. Materials and Methods: We used 40 Wistar rats to establish a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model according to the method described by Bailu Duan et al. (2017). The rats were fed a high-fat diet for 28 days, followed by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at 35 mg/kg to induce T2DM. After STZ administration, Sapparin was orally administered to diabetic rats at 89 and 178 mg/kg for 21 days. At the end of the experimental period, insulin, GLUT4, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions on days 14 and 21. Result: After 14 and 21 days of treatment, fasting blood glucose levels decreased by 33% and 22.5% in the Sapparin 89 mg/kg and 178 mg/kg groups, respectively, compared with the diabetic control group (p=0.05). In the glucose tolerance test, the 89 mg/kg Sapparin-treated group showed a 31% increase in glucose levels at the initial measurement compared with the diabetic control group, followed by decreases of 10% at 30 min and 30% at 120 min (p=0.04). Serum insulin levels in the 89 mg/kg Sapparin group decreased by 20% on day 14 and 19.8% on day 21 compared with the diabetic control group, while the 178 mg/kg group showed decreases of 15% and 20%, respectively, approaching the levels observed in the healthy control group (p=0.05). Furthermore, HOMA-IR decreased by 42–46% over time in both the 89 and 178 mg/ kg Sapparin-treated groups, with statistically significant differences observed (p=0.05). Conclusion In a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus, Sapparin reduced blood glucose levels, serum insulin levels, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and may have a positive effect on lipid metabolism.

Background: Polymyositis (PM) is a rare idiopathic inflammatory myopathy characterized by symmetric proximal muscle weakness, elevated muscle enzyme levels, dysphagia, and respiratory muscle weakness. Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by extensive skeletal muscle breakdown, resulting in myoglobinuria and an increased risk of acute kidney injury and multiorgan complications. The coexistence of rhabdomyolysis in patients with polymyositis is uncommon and may complicate both diagnosis and management. Case Presentation: A 65-year-old man was admitted with fever up to 39°C, generalized skin rash, dysphagia, progressive muscle weakness, dyspnea, decreased urine output, and dark tea-colored urine. Physical examination revealed symmetric proximal muscle weakness, with muscle strength graded 3/5 in both upper extremities and 4/5 in both lower extremities. Neck muscle strength was 4/5. Dysphagia and a generalized skin rash were also present. Laboratory investigations showed markedly elevated creatine kinase (CK) at 9,943.1 U/L, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at 449.1 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) at 222.1 U/L, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) at 1,342.9 U/L, and C-reactive protein (CRP) at 70.6 mg/L. Urinalysis showed blood 3+ and protein 2+, while no erythrocytes were detected on urine sediment microscopy. Electromyography demonstrated myopathic changes, and muscle biopsy revealed inflammatory infiltrates and necrotic muscle fibers. Conclusion Comprehensive assessment of clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, autoantibody testing, electrophysiological studies, and muscle biopsy is essential for the diagnosis of polymyositis complicated by rhabdomyolysis. An integrated diagnostic approach facilitates confirmation of the diagnosis, differentiation from clinically similar disorders, and appropriate treatment selection. Early recognition of rhabdomyolysis and other potentially life-threatening complications is crucial for preventing organ damage and improving patient outcomes.

Background: Hematological malignancies are a group of cancers affecting the blood-forming organs and are often associated with long-term treatment and multiple adverse effects, which may negatively influence patients’ quality of life. Therefore, evaluating treatment outcomes should include not only clinical indicators but also the assessment of patients’ quality of life. Aim: To assess the quality of life of patients with hematological malignancies Materials and Methods: An institution-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at the Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Central Hospital of Mongolia between 2020 and June 2025. A total of 118 adult patients diagnosed with hematological malignancies were included using a non-probability sampling method. Quality of life was assessed using the Hematological Malignancy Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (HM-PRO) and the EORTC QLQ-F17 questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 28. Results: The mean age of participants was 52.9 years, with 53% females and 47% males. In terms of diagnosis, 42% had acute leukemia, 42% lymphoma, and 16% multiple myeloma. The internal consistency reliability of the HM-PRO questionnaire was high, with a Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.96. The mean quality of life score increased from 61.57 before treatment to 90.09 after treatment, showing a statistically significant improvement (p<0.05). This finding indicates that treatment reduced disease-related symptoms and improved patients’ quality of life. Conclusion The quality of life of patients with hematological malignancies significantly improved after treatment. Therefore, assessment of quality of life should be integrated with clinical indicators when evaluating treatment outcomes and planning patient-centered healthcare services.

Background: Lish-6 has been used for treatment pharyngitis, flu and throat disease. Lish-6 is composed from Eugenia caryophylla. Thumb, Saussurea lappa C.B. Clark, Schizostachoum chinense. Rendle, Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Fisch, Gentiana algida Pall, Terminalia chebula. Retz. Anti-fever properties of these plants and their bio-active compounds have extensively been studied. Aim: To determine the anti-fever effects of Lish-6. Marerials and Methods: Fever was induced by intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at concentration of 0.5 mg/kg. Lish-6 was given orally at concentration of 92 mg/kg, 1 and 6 hours after the LPS administration. Rectal temperature wa measured 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 hours after the LPS administration. Paracetamoli was given orally at concentration of 50 mg/kg. Blood levels of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were determined by enzyme linked immune sorbent assay using rat kits. Lung tissue was examined by histopathological analysis. Results: The body temperature of rats in the normal group was 35.0±1.10С, while in the control group, periodic fever was caused by the effect of lipopolysaccharide (p=0.001). But in the Lish-6 drug group, rectal temperature decreased steadily (p=0.05). In addition, the IL-1β cytokine in the normal group was 3.24±0.31 ng/L and increased by 60.5% in the control, indicating the development of the pathological model, while this parameter decreased by 31% in the Lish-6 drug group (p=0.05). IL-6 cytokine in the normal animals was 21.1±0.2 pg/L and increased by 19.04% in the control, indicating the development of the pathological model, while this parameter decreased by 8.3% in the Lish-6 drug group (p =0.05). PGE2 in the normal group was 43.2±0.3 ng/L, and it increased by 62.7% in the control group, indicating the development of a pathological model, while this parameter decreased by 53.3% in the Lish-6 drug group (p=0.05). Conclusion Lish-6 traditional drug has the effect of reducing rectal temperature, IL-1β, PGE2 and IL-6 cytokines during lipopolysaccharide-induced febrile pathology model.

Background: Erkhem-8 medicine is a composed Crocus Sativus L, Lagotis integrifolia, Gentiana barbata froel etc, used for the treatment of respiratory diseases, specially pneumonia and fever or hot disease in Mongolian Traditional Medicine. Aim: The effects of Erkhem-8 medicine to determine the some sourcebook study results. Materials and Methods: An evaluation of its effects on wind, bile, and phlegm was conducted using Traditional Mongolian Medicine methods (Dagvatseren B, 1996). In order to clarify the structure and composition of Erkhem-8 traditional medicines, and the treatment of lung fever from traditional medical sources. Text and source-study and comparison method were used in the study. Results: The study found that Erkhem-8 medicine demonstrated a varying capacity to suppress wind, bile, and phlegm, with bile suppression being the most significant at 0.68, followed by wind suppression at 0.58, and phlegm suppression at 0.16. Erkhem-8 is composed of 8 ingredients, which are safflower Carthamus tinctorius L, gmeline Bostaurus domesticus, Schizostachoum chinense Rendle, wood Santalum album L, Odontitis rubra Baung.Opiz, flora Gentiana decumbens L, herba Lagoti sintegrifolia Schischk, flora Aconitum Kusnezoffii Reichenb. These herbs themselves have a variety of biological activities, including reduce heat, pain relief, anti-oxidant and anti-tumor, anti-inflammation activity. Conclusions 1. The study found that Erkhem-8 exhibited the highest suppression of bile (0.68), followed by wind (0.58), and phlegm (0.16), indicating its effectiveness in modulating these elements. 2. Most of the raw materials included in the composition of Erkhem-8 medicine have a bitter and sweet taste and have the ability to remove heat, especially heat of the solid organs, i.e. heat of the lungs, liver, blood, specially pneumonia and fever or hot disease in Traditional Mongolian Medicine.

Background: Lish-6 has been used for treatment pharyngitis, flu and throat disease. Lish-6 is composed from Eugenia caryophylla Thumb, Saussurea lappa C.B.Clark, Schizostachoum chinense Rendle, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, Gentiana algida Pall, Terminalia chebula Retz. Anti-fever properties of these plants and their bio-active compounds have extensively been studied. Aim: To determine the pain relief and antibacterial effects of Lish-6. Materials and Methods: To conduct acute toxicity study using V.B. Prozorovsk method. Average lethal dose, lethal and maximum nonlethal doses were determined. Acetic acid (1%-0.1 ml) was injected into the rat abdominal cavity to induce pain. Wistar rat of either sex (n = 6) weighing 18–22g were used. All animals were withdrawn from food 2h before the start of experiment and were divided in five groups. Group I was injected with normal saline (10ml/kg) as control, Diclodenk was given orally at concentration of 25 mg/kg. Group II III, IV, V and VI were injected with Lish-6 was given orally at concentrations of 9.2, 18, 36, 92, 184 mg/kg injection of acetic acid. The number of abdominal constrictions (writhes) were counted of acetic acid injection for the period of 20 min. To determine the antibacterial effect by dilution method. Results: Average lethal dose of Lish-6 was found to be LD50=0.92 (0.6-1.04) g/kg suggesting that it is slightly toxic animals. Control group animals abdominal constrictions 72.4±8.8. Lish-6 concentrations of 9.2, 18, 36, 92, 184 mg/kg group animal reduced acitic acid induced pain by 41.9-78.7% suggesting that it is pain relief effect (p<0.001). 4 g of Lish-6 medicine is active against gram-positive bacteria (S.aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia). However, it is inactive against gram-negative bacteria. In other words, Lish-6 medicine inhibits the growth of methicillin-resistant and non-resistant S.aureus bacteria at a dose of 500 mg. It was also found to inhibit Streptococcus pneumonia at a dose of 250 mg. Conclusion Average lethal dose of Lish-6 was found to be LD50=0.92 (0.6-1.04) g/kg suggesting that it is slightly toxic animal. Lish-6 reduced acitic acid induced pain by 41.9-78.7% suggesting that it is pain relief effect. Lish-6 traditional drug has an antibacterial effect.

Background: In traditional medicine, the Shimshin-6 formulation, which consists of Rheum undulatum L., Hippophae rhamnoides L., Zingiber officinalie Roscoe, Saussurea Lappa C.B.Clark, Sal ammoniacum, Tronae veneni, is recommended for women experiencing menstrual retention disorders. In recent years, Shimshin-6 has been widely used to promote postpartum uterine involution for women and our study aimed to evaluate and determine the acute and chronic toxicity effects of Shimshin-6. Aim: To evaluate and substantiate the acute and chronic toxicity effects of Shimshin-6. Materials and Methods: The acute toxicity of Shimshin-6 was evaluated using the rapid method described by V.B. Prozorovsky (1978) by administering intraperitoneal injections of the medicinal extract in white mice to determine the lethal dose. The active dose was determined following the methodology of I.P. Zapadnyuk (1983). Chronic toxicity was evaluated in Wistar rats according to the OECD 407 (2008) guidelines. The test animals were administered Shimshin-6 in tablet form (90 mg/kg and 180 mg/kg) and decoction form (tang) (162 mg/kg) daily for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, biochemical and complete blood analyses were conducted, along with histopathological examination of major organs. The study was conducted with ethical approval granted by the Ethics Committee of the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (MNUMS) on October 25, 2024. Results: The LD50 for Shimshin-6 tablets was 4.47 (3.39–5.1) g/kg, indicating low acute toxicity based on the K.K. Sidorov classification. The LD50 for the decoction form was 8.1 (7.1–9.4) g/kg, suggesting it is non-toxic. Regarding chronic toxicity, platelet count was significantly reduced compared to the healthy control group: Shimshin-6 tablet group: 46% reduction at 90 mg/kg and 29.7% reduction at 180 mg/kg. Shimshin-6 decoction group: 60.5% reduction at 162 mg/ kg. Additionally, hemoglobin levels in the decoction group (162 mg/kg) decreased by 15.7% (p<0.05). Biochemical analysis showed a 36.3% reduction in total cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in the tablet group (180 mg/kg) and decoction group (162 mg/kg) compared to the control (p<0.05). Conclusion Shimshin-6 tablets showed low acute toxicity in experimental mice. However, long-term administration may lead to a reduction in platelet count.

Background: The Shimshin-6 formulation, composed of Rheum undulatum L., Hippophae rhamnoides L., Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Saussurea lappa C.B. Clarke, Sal ammoniacum, and Tronae veneni, has traditionally been used in the management of gynecological disorders such as amenorrhea, abnormal blood clot formation, and pelvic pain. It has also been widely applied in postpartum care to promote uterine contractility and to prevent complications, including hemorrhage and inflammation. However, its therapeutic potential in postpartum uterine involution has not been scientifically validated. Aim: To investigate the effects of the Shimshin-6 herbal formulation on postpartum uterine involution in rats Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted at the Research Center of the Institute of Traditional Medicine and Technology, following the methodology described by Zheng ZH et al. (2019). Postpartum rats were randomly assigned to four groups and received daily treatments for five consecutive days with either Shimshin-6 tablets at doses of 180 mg/kg and 90 mg/kg, Shimshin-6 decoction at 163 mg/kg, or physiological saline as a control. Serum concentrations of estrogen, progesterone, TNF-α, TGF-β1, and TGF-β3 were measured using commercially available ELISA kits (Shanghai MLBIO Biotechnology Co. Ltd, China). Following ethical euthanasia, uterine tissues were collected for histological examination, which included evaluation of uterine weight, endometrial thickness, myometrial structure, and glandular morphology. Results: Shimshin-6 treatment significantly reduced the uterine index and serum estrogen levels compared with the control group, while no significant difference was observed in progesterone concentration. The treatment also decreased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels and modulated growth factors in postpartum rats. Histological analysis further revealed that Shimshin-6 promoted uterine recovery, despite the presence of inflammatory cell infiltration and hemorrhagic changes in the uterine wall. Conclusion Shimshin-6 preparation exerts a promotive effect on postpartum uterine involution in rats.

: Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq) P. Kumm) is the second cultivated and most popular edible mushroom after Agaricus bisporus in the world. The fruiting bodies of these mushrooms have high nutritional value and are beneficial for health. Pleurotus ostreatus are an interesting source of bioactive glucans and other polysaccharides. This study focuses on the isolation and structural characterization of glucans from the fruiting bodies and stems cultivated mushrooms Pleurotus ostreatus. Methods: Physicochemical properties of fruiting bodies and stems cultivated Pleurotus ostreatus in Mongolia, were studied using standard methods. Glucans were extracted and purified using the precipitation method and Sevag reagent, and functional groups were determined by FT-IR. Conclusion The characteristic absorption bands of the water and alkali-soluble fractions were found near 1070, 1044, 869 and 777-769 cm-1. These IR bands are characteristic of fungal (1→3)(1→6)-β-D- glucans, and indicating these fractions are glucan-type polysaccharides