SEDATIVE ACTIVITY OF PURIFIED AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF HYPERICUM SCA-BRUM

Abstract In the present study, a technology for obtaining a dry extract from the aerial parts of Hypericum scabrum was developed and optimized with consideration for the removal of accompanying hydrophilic impurities that hinder drying and reduce the concentration of active compounds. Purification of the concentrated aqueous extract was carried out by precipitating carbohydrates, polysaccharides, and pectin substances using 96% ethanol at a volume ratio of extract to ethanol of 1:4. Optimal spray drying parameters were established as follows: heat carrier inlet temperature of 150–160 °C, outlet temperature of 60–70 °C, solution concentration of 10–15%, feed rate of 3 L/h, and spray pressure of 0.15 MPa. The resulting dry extract exhibited stable physicochemical characteristics, including a yield of 6.0–6.4% and rutin content of 1.81–1.94%. Pharmacological studies on laboratory animals demonstrated that the dry extract possesses a pronounced sedative effect, particularly at a dose of 50 mg/kg. The developed technology can be applied for the industrial production of standardized phytopharmaceuticals based on H. scabrum.