THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS DISTRIBUTED IN GEORGIA: A COMPARATIVE REVIEW OF PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY, CLINICAL EFFICACY, AND SAFETY

The scientific evaluation of medicinal plants distributed in Georgia requires a clear distinction among three related but conceptually different domains: the botanical and geographical occurrence of a plant species, experimental or monographic evidence of pharmacological activity, and the strength of clinical evidence obtained in humans. The present source -based narrative review evaluates three medicinal plants with distinct pharmacognostic and therapeutic profiles: Hypericum perforatum L., Valeriana offici nalis L., and Allium sativum L. The first two species are widely represented in the natural vegetation of Georgia, whereas Allium sativum is an ancient cultivated medicinal and food plant with a long history of use in the country. The review is based exclu sively on the books supplied for the study: Cultivation of Medicinal Plants by Roza Bidzinashvili and Nino Eradze, the CENN field guide Plants of Georgia, Niko Ketskhoveli's Vegetation of the Georgian SSR, PDR for Herbal Medicines, and Andrew Chevallier's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. No additional scientific databases, internet sources, or contemporary journal articles were used. The medicinal material of Hypericum perforatum consists primarily of the aerial parts collected during flowering. The principal phytochemical constituents described in the reviewed sources include hypericin, pseudohypericin, hyperforin, flavonoids, xanthones, catechin -type tannins, procyanidins, and volatile oil. Clinical evidence summarized in PDR for Herbal Medicines includes placebo -controlled studies and comparisons with conventional antidepressants in patients with mild to moderate depressive disorders. At the same time, St. John's wort is characterized by a clinically complex safety profile, particularly because of its potential to induce drug- metabolizing systems and reduce the exposure to medications such as cyclosporine, indinavir, digoxin, and theophylline. Its combination with serotonergic drugs also requires caution. The medicinal material of Valeriana officinalis consists of the rhizome and roots. The monographic sources describe valepotriates, valerenic acid, volatile oil, and additional constituents whose combined effects are associated with sedative, anxiolytic, spasmolytic, and muscle -relaxant activity. A randomized placebo - controlled study involving 121 patients, summarized in the PDR monograph, reported improvement in sleep quality, while Chevallier describes a comparative study in which valerian was evaluated against oxazepam. The overall safety profile is relatively favorable, although drowsiness, gastrointestinal symptoms, and additive effects with other central nervous system depressants remain relevant considerations. The bulb of Allium sativum is the principal medicinal material. Its pharmacologically important chemical profile is associated with alliin, allicin, ajoenes, and other organosulfur compounds. The PDR monograph describes antimicrobial, antioxidant, lipid -lowering, antiplatelet, and fibrinolytic activity. Clinical findings regarding hyperlipidemia are heterogeneous. Some studies report reductions in total and LDL cholesterol, whereas others fail to demonstrate a significant effect, emphasizing the importance of preparation, processing, and product standardization. Major safety concerns include an increased risk of bleeding when garlic preparations are combined with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs, gastrointestinal adverse effects, contact dermatitis, and t he possibility of chemical burns following prolonged topical exposure. A comparative analysis of these three plants demonstrates that pharmacological activity, clinical efficacy, and safety do not represent equivalent levels of evidence. Among the reviewed plants, Hypericum perforatum has the most extensively described clinical evidence for a defined therapeutic indication, but also the most complex interaction profile. Valeriana officinalis has a more favorable safety profile and is primarily supported by evidence related to sleep quality and nervous tension. Allium sativum has broad biological activity, but its clinical effects on cardiovascular risk markers vary according to preparation and standardization. These differences illustrate the importance of integrating botanical identification, pharmacognosy, clinical evidence, and safety assessment when evaluating medicinal plants relevant to Georgia.