Полісахаридний профіль, гостра токсичність та жовчовидільна активність жовчогінного фітопрепарату «Фіточай сафроарт»

The aim. The aim of this study was to determine the polysaccharide composition of the choleretic collection "Safroart herbal tea", focusing on the identification of key carbohydrate fractions and their monosaccharide composition, as well as to evaluate its acute toxicity and choleretic activity. This investigation contributes to understanding the biochemical and pharmacological properties underlying the plant's therapeutic effects. Materials and methods. The herbal collection was subjected to sequential extraction to isolate its polysaccharides, which were fractionated into water-soluble polysaccharides (WSPS), pectin substances (PS), and hemicelluloses (HMC). These fractions were analyzed using paper chromatography, gas chromatography (GC), and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. For pharmacological evaluation, acute toxicity was assessed in mice using a single-dose administration protocol, and the choleretic effect was studied in rats by measuring bile secretion over a 4-hour period following administration of a 10 % aqueous infusion. Results. Alcohol-soluble sugars, including sucrose and fructose, were identified. WSPS were primarily composed of glucose, galactose, and arabinose, while PS and HMC contained rhamnose, arabinose, and xylose. IR spectroscopy confirmed the structural features of the fractions. The herbal collection was classified as practically non-toxic (LD₅₀ > 4000 mg/kg). In vivo studies revealed a 27.4 % increase in bile secretion in treated rats compared to controls, confirming a significant choleretic effect. Conclusions.‘Safroart herbal tea’ contains a complex mixture of polysaccharides with distinct monosaccharide profiles and demonstrates both safety and choleretic efficacy in experimental models. These findings support its potential use as a natural hepatobiliary remedy and contribute to the phytochemical and pharmacological understanding of its therapeutic action