LONGEVITY SECRETS OF SAM-BUCUS NIGRA FRUITS

Drugs made from Sambucus nigra are believed to provide neuroprotection, hepatoprotection, optimize cardiac function, broncial-pulmonary and renal systems. Fruits of Elderberries (Sambucus nigra) were named in Europe “the fruits for the elderly people”.The black fruits are able to improve activity of vitally important organs of an old person. Medicines made of Sambucus nigra's fruits (juice, syrup, tincture etc.) deserve to be named as the medicines of an Active Long Life due to their wide pharmacological spectrum of optimizing effect on the vitality of an elderly person. Influence on the brain: neuroprotection (rutin, choline, amino acids, betain and ademethionin, terpenoides, riboflavin, tyrosine, thiamine, riboflavin); antidepressive effect (tyrosine, choline, carnitin, ascorbic acid, riboflavin); antiastenic features (choline, betain, ademethionin, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, riboflavin); stimulation of cognitive functions (choline, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, rutin); sabilization of vegetative functions (choline, betain, ademethionin, flavonoids, riboflavin); sedative effect (choline, valerianic acid). Influence on the liver: hepatoprotection (flavonoids, anthocyanins, choline, betain and ademethionin); increased desintoxycation (flavonoids, anthocyanins, polysaccharides); choleretic effect (ademethionin, flavonoids, anthocyanins); anti-inflammatory influence (flavonoids, organic acids, rutin, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, ademethionin ); prophylaxis of gallstone disease (сarotin); stimulation of synthesizing liver's function (the malic, acetic and tartaric organic acids). Influence on the cardio-vascular system: hypotensive effect (flavonoids, rutin, anthocyanins, choline, betain and ademethionin); cardioprotection (rutin, choline, betain and ademethionin, anthocyanins); spasmolytic effect (rutin). Influence on the respiratory system: anti-inflammatory and antihystamin effects (rutin); respiratory center's stimulation (the ethereal oils); mucolytic action (polysaccharides); sudorific effect (the ethereal oils). Influence on the immune system: stimulation of unspecific immune resistance (ascorbic acid, carotin). Influence on the gastro-intestinal tract: decreased appetite and the body mass (tyrosine); oncoprotective effect (ascorbic acid, carotin); anti-inflammatory action (the malic, acetic and tartaric organic acids; flavonoids, anthocyanins, rutin, ascorbic acid, polysaccharides); stimulation of digesting glands' secretion (the malic, acetic and tartaric organic acids); laxative effect (mucus and polysaccharides in complex with flavonoids, anthocyanins, organic acids). Influence on the kidneys: diuretic effect (triterpens, etheric oils, flavonoids and potassium). Influence on the endocrine system: promotion of thyroid gland's function (tyrosine); promotion of steroids' synthesis (ascorbic acid); normalization of metabolism of proteins and lipids (vitamin B-1); appetite and the body mass (tyrosine). Influence on the skin: local anti-inflammatory effect (flavonoids, anthocyans, ascorbic acid, organic acids, polysaccharides); antyallergic treatment (rutin, ascorbic acid); treatment of dry skin, diseases of skin and mucous membranes (carotin). Influence on the reproductive organs: protection of pregnancy (carotin). Conclusion. Sambucus nigra fruits are used traditionally as diuretic, laxative, poly-vitamin remedy at diseases of liver, bile ducts, at chronic constipation. They also are useful at atherosclerosis, diabetes and psoriasis. In fact, there are more possibilities of this plant. That is why the most of European peoples have named the fruit of Sambucus nigra “elderberry”, or berry for “an active long life”.