Pharmacy Formulas

The article provides a review of modern scientific publications on the use of antidepressants with various mechanisms of action, considers the most frequently used drugs in clinical practice, their mechanism of action, tolerability profile, and drug safety. Approaches to choosing an antidepressant, considering the underlying disease and comorbidities, are examined. Data on the study of new alternative drugs with antidepressant action are presented. When choosing an antidepressant, it is necessary to consider the complexity and multifactorial nature of the clinical picture of each patient, requiring a strictly individualized approach. For rational therapy and optimization of clinical results, a deep understanding of the mechanisms of action, indications, potential side effects, and pharmacokinetic features of various classes of antidepressants is necessary. The emergence of drugs with a multimodal mechanism of action expands the possibilities for personalization of therapy, increasing the effectiveness of treatment not only for depressive and anxiety disorders but also for depressive syndrome occurring in somatic and neurological diseases. Further research on pharmacogenetic factors and the development of personalized approaches to the selection of antidepressants will open up new opportunities for improving therapy and improving the quality of life for patients.

Cognitive impairment, including dementia, represents a key challenge for modern healthcare amid global population aging. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the causes, risk factors, and prevention strategies for cognitive disorders. Special attention is given to non-pharmacological approaches aimed at enhancing intellectual, physical, and social activity, which help build cognitive reserve and slow neurodegenerative processes. The role of modifiable risk factors—such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, physical inactivity, depression, and social isolation—is examined, noting that addressing these factors could reduce the incidence of dementia by up to 40%. Particular attention is devoted to the use of micronutrients (B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants) that possess neuroprotective properties, including protection against oxidative stress, improvement of neuronal communication, and reduction of neuroinflammation. Based on current data, the paper underscores the necessity of initiating prevention early in young and middle age to achieve healthy cognitive longevity. The work emphasizes the importance of a personalized approach and the need for further research to optimize strategies for maintaining mental health.

A brief overview of plants and fungi as sources of essential beneficial dietary components – fibers, vitamins, macro- and microelements, as well as certain biologically active substances – is presented. Among plant fibers, insoluble cellulosic fibers, including lignified ones, and partially or completely soluble pectins and mucilaginous polysaccharides are characterized. Among fungal fibers, insoluble chitinous straight fibers and swelling, spiraled glycans are characterized. Tables with plant and fungal species containing maximum concentrations of these components, as well as types of biological activity of edible plant and fungal fibers and other groups of substances, are provided. For plants, flavonoids and related compounds, oils with polyunsaturated fatty acids (“omega-3”), essential oils, and steroidal saponins are also considered. For fungi, beneficial types of activity for groups such as proteins, lectins, terpenoids, terphenyls, lovastatin, and ergothioneine are presented. It is shown that the types of activity of plant substances are diverse, while fungal compounds are characterized by immunostimulating, antitumor, antioxidant, and bactericidal effects.

The article addresses the relevant issue of self-harvesting medicinal plants as a form of hobby that holds significant potential for health promotion and the development of ecological culture. It analyzes contemporary scientific publications emphasizing the need for a responsible and informed approach to this practice, based on knowledge of botany and ecology, support from like-minded communities, and legislative regulation. It is noted that only a comprehensive combination of educational activities, social interaction, and legal control can ensure the safe use of medicinal plant raw materials, preserve biodiversity, and minimize health risks to humans. The article discusses the advantages and potential dangers of self-harvesting medicinal plants, making it an important contribution to the development of health-preserving technologies and sustainable natural resource management.

This article examines the impact of a risk-oriented approach to occupational health and safety on the health, longevity, and cognitive well-being of workers in the context of contemporary labor market challenges. The relevance of this topic is driven by a shortage of skilled labor, an aging workforce, and a growing focus among job seekers on working conditions and their effects on health. The research aims to substantiate the effectiveness of a risk-oriented approach as a strategy for ensuring safety, preserving health, and maintaining the cognitive functions of workers throughout their working lives. Based on the analysis of statistical data on occupational injuries over recent years, the implementation of a risk-oriented approach is shown to contribute to a reduction in the incidence of injuries and occupational diseases. It is emphasized that effective assessment and management of occupational risks enable the timely neutralization of hazards and the prevention of accidents, which, in turn, has a positive impact on workers' health and longevity. Particular attention is paid to the influence of working conditions on workers' cognitive functions and the need for the prevention of cognitive impairments associated with chronic stress, fatigue, and other adverse factors in the work environment. The research findings confirm the importance of a risk-oriented approach in ensuring safe and healthy working conditions, promoting the preservation of working capacity, cognitive well-being, and increasing the duration of workers' active lives.

This brief sketch is dedicated to the life and scientific work of pharmacologist Vladislav Alekseevich Kraus, who made significant contributions to the study of the functional organization of the brain and the mechanisms of memory. It outlines the main stages of his professional career, from his studies at the Leningrad Sanitary-Hygienic Medical Institute and postgraduate studies at the Institute of Experimental Medicine of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences, to his headship of the pharmacology departments of the Orenburg and Dnepropetrovsk Medical Institutes, and his leadership of a laboratory at the Research Institute of Industrial and Marine Medicine in St. Petersburg. Particular attention is paid to the period of V.A. Kraus's work at St. Petersburg State Chemical Pharmaceutical University (SPCPA), where he engaged in pedagogical activity for over 20 years and contributed to the training of pharmaceutical personnel. The main scientific achievements of V.A. Kraus are presented, including the establishment of mechanisms of drug action on neurotransmitter systems, the reproduction of memory engrams, and energy metabolism in the brain. His research is highlighted, focusing on the study of the effects of psychotropic drugs, hemoperfusion, arginine vasopressin, and other compounds on the nervous system and cognitive functions.