biologically active substances (abbreviated - BAS) - a special chemical substances which have a small concentration of high activity to specific groups of organisms (humans, plants, animals, fungi) or to specific groups of cells.BAS used in medicine and as disease prevention, as well as to maintain a full life.
Biologically active substances are:
1. alkaloids - nitrogen-containing compounds of organic nature.Typically, plant origin.They have basic properties.Water-insoluble acid form various salts.Have a good physiological activity.In large doses - is the strongest poisons in small - medicines (medicines "Atropine", "papaverine", "Ephedrine").
2. Vitamins - a special group of organic compounds that are vital to animals and humans for a good metabolism and a full life.Many vitamins are involved in the formation of the necessary enzymes to inhibit or accelerate the activity of certain enzyme systems.Also, vitamins are used as biologically active food supplements (included in their composition).Some vitamins enter the body with food, while others are produced by microbes in the gut, and others - are the result of the synthesis of fat-like substances under ultraviolet light.Lack of vitamins can lead to various disturbances in metabolism.The disease, which has arisen as a result low intake of vitamins in the body, known as beriberi.Disadvantage - This vitamin deficiencies and excessive amounts - hypervitaminosis.
3. glycosides - compounds of organic nature.Enjoy a wide variety of effects.Glycoside molecules consist of two major parts: nesaharistoy (aglycone or genin) and sugar (glucones).The medicine used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, as an antimicrobial agent and an expectorant.Glycosides also relieve fatigue mental and physical, disinfect the urinary tract, soothes the central nervous system, improve digestion and increase appetite.
4. Glikolalkaloidy - biologically active substances related glycosides.Of these, we obtain the following drugs: "Cortisone", "hydrocortisone" and others.
5. tannins (another name - tannin) are able to precipitate proteins, mucus, glutinous substance, alkaloids.For this reason they are not compatible with these substances in medicaments.With proteins they form albuminates (anti-inflammatory).
6. Fatty oils - is esters of fatty acids or trihydric alcohol.Some fatty acids are involved in metabolism, accelerate the excretion of cholesterol.
7. Coumarins - a biologically active substance, which are based on coumarin and isocoumarin.In the same group, and include piranokumariny furokumariny.Some coumarins have antispasmodic action, others show kapillyaroukreplyayuschee activity.There are also coumarins anthelmintic, diuretic, kurarepodobnymi, antimicrobial, analgesic and other activities.
8. Micronutrients like vitamins, are also added to the biologically active food additive.They are part of vitamins, hormones, pigments, enzymes, chemical compounds are formed with the proteins accumulate in tissues and organs, endocrine glands.For human important following trace elements: boron, nickel, zinc, cobalt, molybdenum, lead, fluorine, selenium, copper, manganese.
There are also other biologically active substances: organic acids (are volatile and non-volatile), pectin, pigments (another name - coloring agents), steroids, carotenoids, flavonoids, volatile, ecdysone essential oils.
