Biologically active substances

Biologically active substances (reduced - BAS) are special chemicals that possess, at a low concentration, high activity towards certain groups of organisms (humans, plants, animals, fungi) or to certain groups of cells. BAS is used in medicine and as a disease prevention, as well as to maintain a full-fledged life.

Biologically active substances are:

1. Alkaloids - nitrogen-containing compounds of organic nature. It is usually of vegetable origin. They have basic properties. Insoluble in water, with acids form different salts. Have good physiological activity. In large doses, these are the strongest poisons, in small doses - medicines (medicines "Atropin", "Papaverin", "Ephedrine").

2. Vitamins are a special group of organic compounds that are vital for animals and man for good metabolism and full-fledged vital activity. Many of the vitamins take part in the formation of the necessary enzymes, inhibit or accelerate the activity of certain enzyme systems. Also vitamins are used as biologically active food additives (are included in their composition). Some vitamins enter the body with food, others are formed by microbes in the intestine, and others appear as a result of synthesis from fat-like substances under the influence of ultraviolet. The lack of vitamins can lead to various disorders in metabolism. The disease that arose as a result of small intake of vitamins into the body is called avitaminosis. The disadvantage is hypovitaminosis, and excessive amounts of hypervitaminosis.

3. Glycosides are compounds of organic nature. Have a variety of effects. Molecules of glycosides consist of two important parts: non-saccharic (aglycone or genine) and sugary (glycon). In medicine, they are used to treat heart and vascular diseases, as an antimicrobial and expectorant. Also glycosides relieve mental and physical fatigue, disinfect urinary tracts, soothe the central nervous system, improve digestion and increase appetite.

4. Glycolloalkaloids - biologically active substances related to glycosides. Of these, you can get the following medications: Cortisone, Hydrocortisone, and others.

5. Tannins (also known as tannides) can precipitate proteins, mucus, gluten, alkaloids. For this reason, they are incompatible with these substances in medications. With proteins, they form albumins (an anti-inflammatory drug).

6. Oily oils are esters of fatty acids or alcohol of triatomic. Some fatty acids are involved in metabolism, accelerate the excretion of cholesterol from the body.

7. Coumarins are biologically active substances, based on isocoumarin or coumarin. The same group includes pyranocoumarins and furocoumarins. Some coumarins have an antispasmodic effect, others show capillary-strengthening activity. Also there are coumarins antihelminthic, diuretic, curare-like, antimicrobial, analgesic and other action.

8. Microelements, like vitamins, are also added to biologically active food additives. They are part of vitamins, hormones, pigments, enzymes, form chemical compounds with proteins, accumulate in tissues and organs, in endocrine glands. For the person the following trace minerals are important: boron, nickel, zinc, cobalt, molybdenum, lead, fluorine, selenium, copper, manganese.

There are other biologically active substances: organic acids (volatile and non-volatile), pectin substances, pigments (also called coloring substances), steroids, carotenoids, flavonoids, phytoncides, ecdysones, essential oils.