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Growing on the rocky slopes and foothill steppes of the Almaty Region is a little-studied plant known as Atraphaxis. For centuries, species of this genus have been used in traditional medicine across Central Asia and the Middle East to treat gastrointestinal disorders, joint inflammation, and skin diseases. Despite this long history of medicinal use, modern science has never systematically investigated their therapeutic potential.

To address this gap, a Kazakhstani research team is implementing the project "Main Directions and Prospects for Developing Corrected Phytopharmaceuticals Based on Polyphenol Complexes from Plants of the Atraphaxis Genus." The project is carried out within the priority area "Life and Health Sciences", under the specialisation "Pharmacy, Biologically Active Compounds, Biological and Medical Products."

Polyphenols are a large group of naturally occurring compounds that have attracted considerable scientific attention over the past decades. They possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Numerous studies have shown that polyphenols derived from various plant sources can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and diabetes.

Today, polyphenol-based supplements and medicines produced from well-studied plants such as green tea (Camellia sinensis), grape seeds (Vitis vinifera), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), and pomegranate (Punica granatum) are widely available. However, species of the Atraphaxis genus—despite being rich in flavonoids, tannins, and other polyphenolic compounds—have never been used in the industrial production of phytopharmaceuticals. Their unique chemical composition offers the potential to develop innovative products with no direct analogues on the international market.

At the same time, the pharmaceutical application of polyphenols faces an important technological challenge: many polyphenols have poor water solubility and are rapidly degraded in the body, significantly reducing their therapeutic effectiveness. Overcoming this limitation is one of the project's central objectives.

Although individual studies of Atraphaxis species have been conducted in several countries, no comprehensive investigation of Atraphaxis virgata and Atraphaxis pyrifolia growing in Kazakhstan has been carried out from phytochemical, pharmacological, and pharmaceutical technology perspectives.

The project is the first to comprehensively analyse the polyphenol composition of these species while simultaneously developing approaches for producing corrected phytopharmaceuticals. This term is fundamental to the project: rather than using conventional plant extracts, the researchers aim to develop preparations whose biologically active compounds are deliberately modified to improve bioavailability, reduce side effects, and achieve targeted therapeutic effects.

Another major innovation is the use of supercritical CO₂ extraction. This advanced technology allows biologically active compounds to be extracted at relatively low temperatures, preserving their biological activity while producing highly purified extracts free from toxic solvent residues. Compared with conventional extraction methods, it offers significant technological advantages.

The project's main goal is to investigate polyphenol complexes isolated from Atraphaxis virgata and Atraphaxis pyrifolia, evaluate their biological properties, and develop promising approaches for creating corrected phytopharmaceuticals based on these compounds.

The research programme consists of four interconnected directions.

The first focuses on purifying plant material using supercritical CO₂ extraction and analysing the chemical composition of the remaining plant residue. Extraction is carried out under high static pressure using liquefied gases; once the pressure is released, the extractant evaporates completely, leaving only valuable bioactive compounds without requiring additional purification. Gas-liquid chromatography, electrophoresis, and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) are used to analyse the residue.

The second direction involves phytochemical analysis and optimisation of extraction methods. Field expeditions are conducted in the Almaty Region, including the Enbekshikazakh and Raimbek districts and the Aksai Gorge. Collected plant material is dried and milled to particle sizes of 4–6 mm according to pharmacopoeial standards. Phytochemical analysis follows the methods of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Individual compounds are isolated using column chromatography, while their structures are identified through UV, IR, and NMR spectroscopy. Optimal parameters for ultrasonic extraction and freeze-drying are established experimentally.

The third direction is devoted to biological screening. Researchers evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities of the isolated polyphenol complexes. Laboratory experiments determine optimal concentrations of the extracts, assess their effects on leukocyte, erythrocyte, and platelet production in experimental animals, and investigate their mechanisms of action at the molecular level.

The fourth direction focuses on developing corrected phytopharmaceuticals. Based on the experimental results, researchers design formulations with improved bioavailability and targeted therapeutic activity. Technologies for producing solid dosage forms are developed and standardised, while a SWOT analysis is conducted to assess their commercial potential.

During 2025, the project concentrates on preparatory and field activities, including literature review, organisation of expeditions, collection and preparation of plant material, and optimisation of laboratory CO₂ extraction parameters.

In 2026, the focus shifts to analytical and biological research. Polyphenol compounds are identified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry, comprehensive biological screening is performed, and possibilities for combining polyphenols with other plant-derived compounds are investigated.

In 2027, researchers will develop corrected phytopharmaceuticals, evaluate their bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy, and standardise the final products. NMR and mass spectrometry analyses will be conducted at the National Laboratory in Kokshetau and, when necessary, in partner laboratories in Istanbul and Karachi. Scientific results will be published in peer-reviewed journals with impact factors, and applications for innovative patents in the Republic of Kazakhstan will be submitted.

At the scientific level, the project will establish the first comprehensive database describing the polyphenol composition of A. virgata and A. pyrifolia, reveal correlations between chemical structure and biological activity, and identify the molecular mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects.

At the practical level, the project will produce the first prototype corrected phytopharmaceuticals with enhanced bioavailability and targeted therapeutic action. Using locally available plant resources creates new opportunities for expanding Kazakhstan's domestic pharmaceutical production and reducing dependence on imported products.

At the economic level, industrial utilisation of Atraphaxis species could create new jobs, strengthen the raw material base of rural regions, and contribute to the diversification and long-term competitiveness of Kazakhstan's pharmaceutical industry.