Grant to young scientists

The project “Preclinical research of a new drug based on steppe sage” won a grant in a competition for young scientists. The author of the study Yana Konstantinovna Levaya a PhD doctor and post-doctoral fellow in the scientific department of NJSC “KMU”.

The young scientist studies the plants of the flora of Kazakhstan, based on them using modern methods (microwave, ultrasonic extraction), obtains extracts, studies their biological activities and develops technologies for obtaining finished dosage forms.

Steppe sage has a unique composition and, in comparison with officinalis sage, contains more rosmarinic acid. Due to the content of phenolic acids and flavonoids, mainly rosmarinic acid, steppe sage and products based on it have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

The project involves conducting preclinical studies of a new herbal remedy for the treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract, based on domestic non-pharmacopoeial raw materials that have sufficient reserves in the Republic of Kazakhstan. All medicines on the pharmaceutical market of Kazakhstan are produced from Salvia officinalis, the habitat of which is located outside the Republic of Kazakhstan. In this connection, there is a problem in the form of import dependence on raw materials from foreign suppliers.

Last year, under a grant within the framework of the Zhas Galym competition, tablets based on dry extract of steppe sage were already obtained, intended for the treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract. The new grant will allow for the assessment of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, acute toxicity, reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and general toxicity.

The result of the study is a forecast of the safety of tablets based on dry extract of steppe sage, which will bring the new drug closer to passing the clinical trials necessary to release drugs on the pharmaceutical market of Kazakhstan. Tablets can be used for sore throat, have a softening and analgesic effect, coat the throat, reducing inflammation and irritation.

The project is aimed at developing the pharmaceutical industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan; the practical significance of the work lies in the introduction into healthcare practice of a new herbal remedy from domestic raw materials through the preclinical testing phase, which will subsequently allow the transition to phase I of clinical trials.