Two new medicinal drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases were developed at VSMU in 2009

October 23, Vitebsk / Sergey Kotovets - BELTA /. Two new medicinal products, "Valesin" and "Cardimag," for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases were developed by scientists of the Vitebsk State Medical University in 2009, Olga Khishova, Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology at the university, told a BELTA correspondent. Both original novelties are created on the basis of medicinal plant raw materials. For "Valesin," the active substances are valerian and Siberian helliborine (this is a relatively new medicinal plant that entered scientific medicine at the end of the 20th century). This combination will have a high sedative (calming) effect, explained Olga Khishova. "Cardimag" combines a mixture of finely ground powders of hawthorn leaves and the synthetic substance magnesium citrate. The product has cardiotonic and antiarrhythmic effects, is indicated for the treatment of chronic heart failure, and also improves coronary circulation. The scientists have developed the composition of the medicinal product in tablet form and in the form of soft and hard gelatin capsules, as well as the technology for their production and standardization. Innovative solutions in pharmacology were proposed by scientists of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology of VSMU during the development of a new scientific direction – the creation of medicinal products based on medicinal plant raw materials. "Our university was the first in the post-Soviet space to start working in this direction, solving several problems at once," noted Olga Khishova. Based on the study of the medicinal properties of plants growing in the climatic zone of Belarus, Vitebsk specialists scientifically substantiate the possibility of using such plants in pharmacology and the effectiveness of medicinal products prepared on their basis, and also develop technologies for their preparation. Cooperation with the Central Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus allows solving issues of creating a raw material base for the production of such medicinal products. In addition, the focus on natural raw materials makes it possible to avoid environmental risks in the organization of pharmaceutical production. The preparations created by the university specialists are being introduced at domestic pharmaceutical enterprises and are successfully registered in the CIS and Baltic countries, and in the USA. The innovative portfolio of scientists from the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology also includes developments to improve the properties of existing synthetic substances. Currently, a project is underway to increase the effectiveness of the well-known substance "dibazol," which is currently produced in tablet form and as a solution for injection. To solve this problem, scientists propose using the technology of microencapsulation of synthetic powders, which, as established, will ensure a longer therapeutic effect and targeted delivery of the medicinal product directly to the affected organ and tissues of the patient's body. "Our specialists have already obtained the first microcapsules, and they are currently being studied. This development will be completed in the near future," added Olga Khishova. -0-