IKBFU Researchers Assess Medicinal Potential of Local Plant Extracts

Researchers at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University — led by Professor Olga Babich of the Russian Academy of Sciences — have evaluated the anti‑tumour potential of extracts from three plants: liquorice, white willow, and viper's bugloss. The scientists also discovered that specimens grown in the Kaliningrad Region contain metabolites with pronounced antibacterial and antioxidant effects. The findings have been published in the journal Food Processing: Techniques and Technology.

Using tests on cell lines — including human T‑lymphoblastic leukaemia cells — the team established that white willow and viper's bugloss contain substances capable of reducing tumour cell viability.

Stanislav Sukhikh, Head of the Laboratory of Microclonal Plant Propagation
We have demonstrated that plants growing in the Kaliningrad Region and across the North‑Western Federal District contain metabolites with potential applications in the development of functional and specialised food products, as well as biomedical preparations for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. In future, we plan to study the composition and biological properties of these plants' secondary metabolites in greater detail.

Stanislav Sukhikh, Head of the Laboratory of Microclonal Plant Propagation

We have demonstrated that plants growing in the Kaliningrad Region and across the North‑Western Federal District contain metabolites with potential applications in the development of functional and specialised food products, as well as biomedical preparations for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. In future, we plan to study the composition and biological properties of these plants' secondary metabolites in greater detail.