Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Leaves Extract and Its Modified Arginine Preparation for the Management of Metabolic Syndrome-Chemical Analysis and Bioactivity in Rat Model

Growing blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L., Highbush blueberry) as a berry crop is developing dynamically, especially in warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of the world. When blueberry is cultivated on plantations, the bushes are pruned annually, and tons of leaves become waste. Thus, the aim of the present study was to create a preparation from blueberry leaves, study their chemical composition and determine their potential as a dietary supplement for the prophylactic and correction of the metabolic syndrome. Several schemes for obtaining extracts from blueberry leaves have been developed, including one with addition of arginine. A total of 18 phenolic substances were identified and quantified in the extracts by TLC and HPLC methods. Chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, and rutin were shown to be dominating constituents. Quantitative determination of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids and other phenolics in the extracts was performed by spectrophotometric method. The extracts administration led to a significant decrease in the level of glucose, insulin and triacylglycerols in blood serum of adult mature inbred rats with insulin resistance induced by the fructose-enriched diet. The most promising one was the extract modified with arginine. The determined hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of chemically standardized extracts from highbush blueberry leaves indicate the potential of this crop residue in utilization as a dietary supplement recommended in prevention of ailments associated with metabolic syndrome.

; THE RIGHT TO HEALTH: UKRAINE'S INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS AND FINANCIAL ACTIVITY OF PUBLIC AUTHORITIES IN THE CONTEXT OF REFORMING THE NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

The article explores the issue of the human right to health as a fundamental one in a democratic society, international norms and standards, international obligations of Ukraine, as well as the financial activities of public authorities in the context of radical reform of the health care system in Ukraine. It is being focused onto the WHO's "Health for All" policy, as well as "Health 2020", which became the basis for a new European Health Strategy, the nationwide Health 2020: Ukrainian Dimension. It is emphasized that the financing function of the WHO and other international organizations is considered to be the key function of the health system. The purpose of this article is of this article is to identify the peculiarities of the financial activities of public authorities in the context of a thorough reform of the healthcare system in Ukraine and to evaluate the compliance of national legislation with international norms and standards. The methodological basis of the conducted research is the general methods of scientific cognitivism as well as concerning those used in legal science: methods of analysis and synthesis, formal logic, comparative law etc.; The norms of international documents of universal and regional status, adopted by the new legislation of Ukraine in the light of radical reform of the health care system, are analyzed. The object of the study is the public relations that arise during implementation of financial activities by public authorities.; The research revealed measures taken by the state to fulfill its obligations under international treaties in the field of healthcare: amending the current legislation and practice of its implementation; making changes to administrative practice; providing legal expertise of bills; provision of training in the study of international treaties and the practice of international judicial institutions to categories of the employees whose professional activity is related to law enforcement, as well as to the detention of people (imprisoned); measures taken to ensure the elimination of systemic deficiencies and the cessation of breaches within international treaties caused by these deficiencies. Attention is drawn to the relation between the concepts of "public finances" and "public financial activities". The peculiarities of the legal organization of financial activity of the state and bodies of local self-government, the content of financial activity in the sphere of healthcare are revealed. The role of the state and local self-government bodies in financial activity as subjects of financial function is revealed. The principles, methods, forms of financial activity are described. It is emphasized that the new model of financing healthcare in Ukraine is based on the following principles: financial protection; universality of coverage and equity of access to care; transparency and accountability; efficiency; free choice; competition among suppliers; predictability of the volume of funds for medical services in the state budget; subsidiarity.