The prospects of the drug development on the basis of goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.) herbal raw material

Abstract

Goutweed (GW, Aegopodium podagraria L., Apiaceae) is a widely-spread perennial herb that has been used in empirical medicine since time immemorial. Our research work is focused on the obtaining of the gout weed pharmacological preparations (PhP) and verification of their pharmacological properties. There is a need to expand the possibilities of influence on the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM) and metabolic syndrome (MS), gout and asymptomatic hyperuricemia, kidney and liver injury, as well as to increase the efficacy and safety of the commonly used drugs. Polytropic action directed towards the pathogenesis of diseases and states mentioned above is inherent in multicomponent herbal drugs. Phenolic compounds, especially hydroxicinnamic acids and flavonoids, are among intensively studied active components of such herbal drugs, and the mechanisms of action of these substances correspond to the modern approaches to their treatment. Potassium compounds are important for herbal drugs activity realization. All these features are inherent in the PhP of GW aerial part which are also characterized by high safety. Moreover, there is a need to verify the effects of the combined use of herbal preparations and commonly used drugs.