The content and therapeutic effects of chemical substances analyzed in elderberry inflorescences (Sambucus nigra L.)

Črni bezeg (Sambucus nigra) je sadna vrsta, ki je razširjena v zahodni in srednji Evropi ter severni Afriki. Spada v družino bezgovk (Sambucaceae) Raste v obliki grma in zraste do višine 5-6 metrov. Dobro uspeva na globokih humoznih tleh z veliko dušika. Rad ima zmerno vlažna in vlažna rastišča. Cvetovi so majhni, dvospolni, 5-števni s kolesastim vencem. Nameščeni so v mnogocvetnih češuljastih pakobulih. Bezeg cveti od maja do junija, odvisno od nadmorske višine rastišča. Cvetovi črnega bezga vsebujejo različne kemične spojine. V največji meri so zastopane fenolne spojine, predvsem flavonoidi in fenolne kisline. Cilj diplomske naloge je strniti z dosedanjimi raziskavami pridobljene informacije o črnem bezgu in njegovih cvetovih, s poudarkom na snoveh in zdravilnih učinkovinah, ki jih ti vsebujejo. Črni bezeg se v Evropi tradicionalno uporablja kot živilo in kot zdravilna rastlina. Bezgovi cvetovi se uporabljajo tudi za pripravo šabese, sokov, sirupov, likerjev in jogurtov. Hrana, bogata s flavonoidi in fenolnimi kislinami ugodno deluje na zmanjšanje pojava številnih boleznih kot so rak, bolezni srca in ožilja ter pri nevrodegenerativnih motnjah. Poleg tega se bezgovi cvetovi uporabljajo tudi za zdravljenje simptomov gripe, prehlada in vnetih sinusov. Poleg flavonoidov in fenolnih kislin najdemo v cvetovih bezga še druge kemijske snovi, sladkorje, organske kisline, estre, polisaharide, cianogene glikozide in spermidine.Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a fruit species, native to western and central Europe and northern Africa. It belong to the familiy Sambucaceae. It grows in the form of a shrub and can reach a height of 5-6 meters. It grows well in fertile soil, rich in humus and nitrogen, both moist and partially dry soils. The flowers are hermaphroditic, have five petals and five stamens, and form a cymose umbel. Black elderberry flowers from May to June, depending on the altitude. The inflorescens contain various chemical compounds, mainly phenolic compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids.The aim of this thesis is to summarize information from previous studies on black elderberry and its inflorescens, focusing on the chemical compounds and medicinal properties of the flowers. Black elderberry is used in Europe as a food or as a traditional medicinal plant. The inflorescens are used to make syrups, juices, liqueurs, yoghurts and a fermented cordial drink. The effects of flavonoids and phenolic acids is sometimes considered beneficial against cancer, cardiovascular diseases or neuro-degenerative disorders. Elderflowers are also sometimes used to treat flu, cold or sinus congestion. Elderflowers also contain other chemical compounds, simple sugars, polysacharides, organic acids, cyanogenic glycosides, esters and spermidines