Research Laboratory "Phytochemistry"

The Phytochemistry Research Laboratory conducts active scientific research in the field of biologically active compounds of plant origin, biodiversity, and the phytochemistry of medicinal plants.

The laboratory participates in national and international scientific projects aimed at the conservation of rare and endemic plant species of Kazakhstan, while actively developing both domestic and international scientific cooperation.

Key partners of the laboratory include:

• RSE “Altai Botanical Garden” (Ridder, Kazakhstan);
• LLP “National Center for Biotechnology” (Astana, Kazakhstan);
• LLP “Astana International University” (Astana, Kazakhstan);
• RSE “Aksu-Zhabagly State Nature Reserve”;
• and the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry named after Academician A. S. Sadykov (Tashkent, Uzbekistan).

The laboratory is equipped with modern instruments and analytical systems, enabling spectrophotometric, chromatographic, and phytochemical analyses at a high professional level. This technical base represents a significant contribution to the development of the university’s research infrastructure and supports both fundamental and applied studies in the fields of plant biotechnology and biodiversity conservation.

Main research areas of the laboratory include:

• conservation of plant biodiversity in South Kazakhstan;
• study of medicinal and endemic plants of the region;
• geobotanical research in specially protected natural areas of Turkestan Region (Aksu-Zhabagly State Nature Reserve, Sairam-Ugam National Park, Karatau State Nature Reserve, Syrdarya-Turkestan Regional Nature Park);
• establishment of a herbarium collection of endemic and medicinal plants of Turkestan Region;
• study of geographical distribution, phytocoenotic, and ecological-biological characteristics of plants of the Western Tien Shan;
• introduction of promising, economically valuable, and rare medicinal plants from natural populations for experimental cultivation;
• conducting seed propagation experiments on promising species of medicinal plants.

      The results of the implementation of the grant project AP15473152 "Conservation of biodiversity and research of biologically active compounds of Eranthis longistipitata" - head, Head of the Research Institute "Phytochemistry", PhD Aimenova Zh.E. As part of the grant project, a set of studies was conducted aimed at preserving the rare and endemic species Eranthis longistipitata Regel (family Ranunculaceae) and studying its biologically active compounds. Field expeditions were carried out on the territory of the Aksu-Jabagli State Nature Reserve (Western Tien Shan). Populations of E. longistipitata were studied at three points of growth, taken under constant observation as monitoring sites. Based on the collected data, a geobotanical map of the species' range was compiled using GPS coordination, which made it possible to fix the current distribution boundaries and determine the state of natural populations. In the course of laboratory studies, a phytochemical analysis of the leaves and tubers of the plant was performed. More than 300 biologically active compounds belonging to various classes have been identified — flavonoids, fatty and organic acids, amino acids, sugars, alcohols, coumarins and furochromones. Among them, 13 compounds with pronounced antitumor activity were identified. Of particular scientific interest are coumarins and furochromones, which have potential against Merkel cell carcinoma and Zika virus. The results obtained indicate the significant therapeutic and anticarcinogenic potential of E. longistipitata, which creates prospects for further research in in vitro cell models. In order to preserve the gene pool of the species, 20 regenerant plants obtained by microclonal propagation were introduced into the natural habitat on the territory of the Aksu-Jabagli Nature Reserve. All introduced specimens have been mapped and are under the supervision of the scientific department of the reserve to assess the survival rate and population dynamics. As part of the project, modern laboratory equipment was purchased that allows for high-level spectrophotometric, chromatographic and phytochemical studies. The laboratory equipment has become an important contribution to the development of the university's scientific infrastructure and will be used for further fundamental and applied research in the field of biodiversity and plant biotechnology. The results of the project have been published in ranked scientific publications indexed in the Scopus database, as well as in domestic journals recommended by the National Research and Development Institute of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

RESEARCH WORK 

As part of the implementation of the grant project AP15473152 “Conservation of Biodiversity and Study of Biologically Active Compounds of Eranthis longistipitata” a comprehensive set of studies was carried out, aimed at investigating the rare endemic species Eranthis longistipitata Regel and identifying its biologically active compounds.

Main results and obtained products:

• Field expeditions were conducted within the Aksu-Zhabagly State Nature Reserve (Western Tien Shan). Populations of the species were studied at three natural habitats, with their condition and dynamics assessed.
• A geobotanical map of the species’ range was created using GPS coordinates, reflecting the current distribution boundaries.
• A phytochemical analysis of leaves and tubers was performed, leading to the identification of more than 300 biologically active compounds belonging to various classes, including flavonoids, acids, amino acids, sugars, alcohols, coumarins, and furochromones.
• Thirteen compounds with pronounced antitumor activity were identified, showing potential efficacy against Merkel cell carcinoma and the Zika virus.
• Introduction of 20 regenerant plants, obtained by microclonal propagation, was carried out into the natural habitat within the reserve. All specimens were labeled and are being monitored by the reserve’s scientific department to assess their survival and adaptation.
• New laboratory equipment was purchased and put into operation, enhancing the laboratory’s capacity for advanced phytochemical research.

The results obtained confirm the high therapeutic and anticancer potential of E. longistipitata and form a scientific foundation for the development of new research directions in the field of natural biologically active compounds.

1 Aimenova Z.E., Matchanov A.D., Abdirahimova S.S., Esanov R.S., Sumbembayev A.A., Duissebayev S.E. In vitro propagation of Eranthis longistipitata and its phytocomponent analysis // Biodiversitas. — 2024. — Vol. 25, № 11. — P. 4171–4178. — DOI: https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d251116 

2 Aimenova Zh.E., Matchanov A.D., Esanov R.S., Sumbembayev A.A., Duissebayev S.E., Dzhumanov S.D., Smailov B.M. Phytochemical profile of Eranthis longistipitata Regel from three study sites in the Kazakhstan part of the Western Tien Shan // Biodiversitas: Journal of Biological Diversity. — 2023. — Vol. 24, № 11. — P.6031-6038. — DOI: https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d241124 

3 Айменова Ж., Матчанов A., Джуманов С., Сумбембаев A., Дуисебаев Ш. Особенности распространения и биологические характеристики эндемичного растения Западного Тянь-Шаня Eranthis longistipitata // Вестник КазНУ. Серия биологическая. Алматы, 2023 - 96(3), С. 28–37. https://doi.org/10.26577/eb.2023.v96.i3.02 

4 Айменова Ж., Матчанов A., Дуисебаев Ш., Джуманов С., Есимова А. Распространение Eranthis longistipitata Regel на территории Центральной Азии // Вестник КазНУ. Серия биологическая. Алматы, (2024) - 100(3), С. 33–44. https://doi.org/10.26577/bb.2024.v100.i3.03 

5 Айменова Ж.Е. Охранный документ «Применение экстракта Lagochilus setulosus в качестве гемостатического средства», № 32895 от 29.05.2018 г., Республика Казахстан.

https://gosreestr.kazpatent.kz/Invention/DownLoadFilePdf?patentId=272245&lang=ru 

6 Айменова Ж.Е., Ешибаев А.А. Фармацевтический потенциал Lagochilus setulosus и технология получения биологического препарата с гемостатическим действием на основе его экстракции. – Шымкент. Изд.: Шымкентский университет, 2019 – 109 с. ISBN 978-9965-782-30-5 

7 Vdovina T., Lagus O., Vinokurov A., Aimenova Z., Sumbembayev A. Assessment of Biochemical Composition of Fruits of Hippophae rhamnoides (Elaeagnaceae Juss.), Viburnum opulus (Viburnaceae Raf.) and Lonicera caerulea subsp. altaica (Caprifoliaceae Juss.) // Metabolites. — 2025. — Vol. 15, № 4. — P. 256. — DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15040256 

8 Sumbembayev A., Lagus O., Danilova A., Aimenova Z., Seilkhan A., Takiyeva Z., Rewicz A., Nowak S. Seed Morphology of Allium L. Endemic Species from Section Schoenoprasum (Amaryllidaceae) in Eastern Kazakhstan // Biology. — 2025. — Vol. 14, № 9. — P. 1230. — DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14091230 

9 Aitzhan M., Aimenova Zh., Sumbembayev A. Studying the species distribution of rhubarbs (Rheum L.) in Kazakhstan // BIO Web of Conferences. — 2024. — Vol. 100. — International Scientific Forum “Modern Trends in Sustainable Development of Biological Sciences” (IFBioScFU 2024). — DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202410004034 

10 Smailov B., Ismailov B., Zakirov B., Turakulov B., Tursynbay L., Aimenova Zh. Study and mechanism of formation of phosphorus production waste in Kazakhstan // Green Processing and Synthesis. — 2024. — Vol. 13, № 1. — P. 20240023. — DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/gps-2024-0023 

11 Eshibaev A., Aimenova Zh., Akynova L., Nurseitova L., Kopabaeva A. The population status of Lagochilus setulosus Vved. and its biochemical composition // Ecological Questions. — 2021. — Vol. 32, № 2. — P. 111–118. — DOI: https://doi.org/10.12775/EQ.2021.018