According to the WHO data (2017), depression is the most predominant disease worldwide, with about 300 million people suffering from it, and bipolar disorder is the second most common. Therefore, it is relevant to research new medicines based on medicinal herbal raw materials with anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects. Common heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull.), a flowering plant of the Ericaceae family, is a promising species for research in this area. The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical profile and several biological activities of hydroethanolic dry extracts from the C. vulgaris herb. Nineteen phenolic substances were identified and quantified in the extracts by HPLC. The quantitative content of the basic groups of biologically active compounds was determined by spectrophotometry. Arbutin was dominant among the hydroquinone derivatives; chlorogenic acid among the hydroxycinnamic acids; rutin, hyperoside and quercetin-3-D-glucoside among the flavonoids; and (+)-gallocatechin and (-)-epigallocatechin among the tannin metabolites. The water and hydroethanolic extract were compared, the extract of C. vulgaris herb obtained with 70% hydroethanolic had the most pronounced anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anxiolytic, stress-protective, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects, and it is a promising substance for the development of new drugs or food supplements.

Kazakhstan flora is rich in promising little-studied plants that are used in folk medicine, but additional deep research is required for their introduction into medical practice with the help of modern scientific techniques. An interesting object for introduction into the official medical and pharmaceutical practice is the Alfredia Nivea Kar. & Kir, family Asteraceae, whose extracts have a neurotropic effect. The aim. Regarding mentioned above, in order to create new medicines based on the grass of the Alfredia nivea, it is necessary to develop methods of its macro and microscopic identification. Materials and methods. Macro- and microscopic studies of the grass of Alfredia nivea were carried out in accordance with the methodology of SPhU 2.8.23 "Microscopic examination of medicinal vegetable raw materials". Macroscopic studies were performed using magnifying glass and binocular microscope MBS-9, microscopic-using MS Microscopes 10 (eyepiece X5, X10, X15, lenses x10, x40), micromed XS-4130 (WF15X, Opera, lens X40/0, 65, x10/0,25) with microphoto addon (China). Results. The morphological and anatomical features of the Alfredia nivea grass. Diagnostic features of the structure of stems, leaves and flowers of this species were revealed. Conclusions. The macroscopic and anatomical identification parameters of the grass of the Alfredia of Snow. The study of the morphological and anatomical features of the stems, leaves and flowers of Alfredia nivea, considering the requirements of European pharmacopoeia. Diagnostic features of the structure of stems, leaves and flowers of the species were found, which were used as key quality indicators for standardization and identification of raw materials