The antidepressant activity of some phytopreparations and phenylpropanoids was studied in white rats, which were subjected to the desperation test and neuropharmacological tests based on the antagonist activity with respect to reserpine, clofelin, and L-DOPA. The most pronounced effect was exhibited by the extract of Eleutherococcus senticosus, which produced a 56.4% decrease in the immobilization period in rats that was comparable with, albeit somewhat lower than the effect of amitriptyline (73.5%). The antidepressant effects of other phytopreparations decreased in the following order: Rhodiola rosea (53.8%), Echinacea purpurea (49%), and Schizandra chinensis (29.8%). Among phenylpropanoids, the maximum antidepressant effects were produced by syringin and rosavin (49.7% and 29.5%, respectively). The most pronounced antagonism with respect to reserpine was also observed for syringin. The tinctures of Echinacea purpurea and Schizandra chinensis, as well as phenylpropanoid triandrin produced the maximum antidepressant effect in the clofelin-induced depression test. An increase in the stimulating action of L-DOPA was observed upon the administration of rosavin and the tinctures of Schizandra chinensis and Echinacea purpurea.

The main directions of the search of biologically active compounds, pyrimi-dine derivatives are described.The synthesis of pyrimidines with anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral activity is shown as the most frequent in recent years. The examples of compounds are given, which are already being used in medicine practice or may be good starting points for obtaining new drugs.

Cherula and sticklewort tinctures exhibit rapid and short-lasting diuretic effect. Tinctures of tansy and immortelle are featured by rapid onset of the effect and prolonged action, while the tincture of common bearberry has a long latency period and prolonged action. Under normal conditions of gravity, flavonoid rutin stimulates diuresis only through tubular component; under hypergravity, simultaneously via glomerular and tubular components.

The influence of phytopreparations containing phenylpropanoids on the physical activity and endurance was studied in white male mice (weighing 18 -20 g) using the conventional forced swim test. It was established that the physical activity of animals was most increased under the action of the following preparations: common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) tincture, spiny eleuterococcus (Eleutherococcus senticosus) liquid extract, purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) tincture, sharp-leaved willow (Salix acutifolia) dry extract, and pink rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea L.) tincture. These preparations (except for Syringa vulgaris tincture) and aspen (Populus tremula) liquid extract also considerably increased the endurance of animals. The actoprotective properties of Saint Mary thistle (Silybum marianum) liquid extract (a hapatoprotective preparation) were not as manifested.