The conference brought together researchers from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, China, Türkiye, Portugal, Azerbaijan, Hong Kong, and several other countries working in the fields of natural products chemistry, phytochemistry, and the biological activity of plant-derived compounds.
A Double Anniversary
This year, the conference marked two significant anniversaries:
- The 70th anniversary of the S. Yu. Yunusov Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances (1956–2026);
- The 40th anniversary of the introduction of the antiarrhythmic drug Allapinin into clinical practice.
Founded in 1956 by Academician Sabir Yunusovich Yunusov, the Institute has become one of Central Asia’s leading centres for natural products chemistry over the past seven decades. Its researchers have studied numerous alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and other plant-derived compounds, developing original medicines based on their findings. The best-known of these is Allapinin, an antiarrhythmic drug based on the alkaloid lappaconitine, which has been used in cardiology for 40 years. Since 1965, the Institute has published the international journal Chemistry of Natural Compounds, indexed in Scopus and Web of Science.
For scientists from Uzbekistan, the conference provided an important platform to review the longstanding achievements of Academician S. Yu. Yunusov’s scientific school and highlight its contribution to the development of the country’s pharmaceutical sector. International participants had the opportunity to learn about the findings of Uzbek researchers, discuss joint projects, and strengthen scientific cooperation across the region.
The KazUTB Delegation
The delegation comprised Chief Researcher Professor Yerlan Melsuly Suleimen; Leading Researcher Gulnur Mamytbekova; Senior Researcher Darkhan Kairatuly Nurkadirov; Researcher Dilnaz Kurbanalieva; and Junior Researchers Kamila Zhadraeva, Saltanat Lesbaeva, and Anel Zhantursyn.
Plenary Presentation
At the plenary session, Professor Yerlan Melsuly Suleimen delivered a presentation entitled “Isolation of Biologically Active Compounds from Plants of the Genera Achillea and Polygonum.”
Poster Session
During the poster session, university researchers presented six posters focusing on the isolation and identification of flavonoids and other natural compounds, the investigation of their biological activity, and the development of plant-based pharmaceutical formulations:
- Nurkadirov D. K. — “Development of a wound-healing ointment based on Linaria vulgaris Mill. extract”
- Kurbanalieva D. M. — “Isolation of flavonoids from the ethanol extract of Achillea setacea Waldst. & Kit.”
- Lesbaeva S. S. — “Isolation and identification of salvigenin and linarin from Hyssopus ambiguus (Trautv.) Iljin”
- Mamytbekova G. — “Lichen-associated fungal isolates and their cytotoxic activity against SW480-ADH cancer cells”
- Zhadraeva K. — “Flavonoids from Achillea nobilis L. from the flora of Kazakhstan”
- Zhantursyn A. — “Phytochemical composition and biological activity of Polygonum arenastrum Boreau”
The presentations by Kazakhstani researchers attracted interest from conference participants. During the poster session, the findings were discussed with fellow researchers from Kazakhstan and abroad.
Conference Exhibition
The conference also featured an exhibition showcasing medicines developed at the Institute and the 70-year history of its scientific school.
Outcomes
Participation in the conference provided an opportunity to present KazUTB’s scientific achievements to the international research community, exchange experiences with leading experts in natural products chemistry, and strengthen scientific ties with colleagues from Central Asia and other countries.
Conference Broadcast: https://youtube.com/live/UzHcWmAtD-U?feature=share