Unlocking Nature's Pharmacy at Sechenov University
Explore the CollectionDeep within the walls of Russia's oldest medical institution—Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University—exists a remarkable collection that would enchant any plant enthusiast.
This isn't your ordinary herbarium filled with plants arranged by their evolutionary relationships or morphological characteristics. Instead, it represents a unique taxonomic approach where plants are organized according to their hidden chemical powers—their ability to produce healing compounds that have formed the basis of medicines for centuries.
With over 7,000 meticulously preserved specimens, this living library represents one of the most comprehensive medicinal plant collections in the academic world 1 .
What makes this collection truly extraordinary isn't just its size, but its organization philosophy. While most herbaria group plants by their genetic relationships, this department has developed a functional taxonomy that categorizes plants based on their biologically active compounds—the very substances that give them therapeutic potential.
How the herbarium organizes plants by bioactive compounds instead of traditional classification
Most plant taxonomists concern themselves with evolutionary relationships, morphological characteristics, and genetic markers. At Sechenov's Herbarium-Museum, scientists have developed what might be called an "applied taxonomy"—a classification system designed specifically for pharmaceutical applications 1 .
Instead of grouping plants solely by their family, genus, or species, the collection is organized according to the medicinally valuable compounds they contain.
This unique organizational principle makes the herbarium an incredibly practical resource for pharmaceutical education and drug discovery, directly connecting plant chemistry to medical application 1 .
How the herbarium serves as an interactive classroom for pharmaceutical students
The Herbarium-Museum serves as an interactive classroom where theoretical knowledge meets tangible reality. For students at the Pharmaceutical and Natural Sciences Department, the collection transforms abstract biochemical concepts into concrete learning experiences 1 .
Rather than simply reading about medicinal plants, students can examine, touch, and analyze actual specimens, creating multisensory connections that deepen understanding.
Medicinal plants based on morphological characteristics
Physical features to biochemical content
Relationship between plant compounds and therapeutic effects
Bioactive molecules from plant material to pharmaceutical development
The educational impact of the herbarium extends far beyond Russian borders. Sechenov University's Preparatory Department offers specialized programs for international students, including Russian language courses combined with scientific training in biology, chemistry, and physics 3 .
International students from various countries
All of whom potentially benefit from this extraordinary collection 5
These programs prepare foreign students for integration into the Russian educational system and specifically for working with specialized resources like the herbarium.
Examples of how the collection facilitates modern pharmaceutical research
Beyond its educational function, the herbarium serves as a vital research resource for faculty and students engaged in pharmaceutical investigation.
The carefully preserved specimens provide reference material for:
The herbarium's approach aligns with Sechenov University's broader mission as a research-intensive institution that fosters collaboration between students, faculty, and partners to create new products and technologies.
The university has positioned itself as an international academic research platform that integrates advanced developments aimed at personalized health management and overcoming global health challenges 5 .
This collaborative, interdisciplinary approach is reflected in how the herbarium is used—not as an isolated collection, but as part of an ecosystem of resources that support innovation in medicine and health care.
Detailed breakdown of specimen numbers and chemical groups
| Compound Category | Medicinal Applications | Example Genera | Species Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Oils | Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, respiratory health | Mentha, Eucalyptus, Lavandula | 45+ |
| Cardiac Glycosides | Heart rhythm regulation, heart failure treatment | Digitalis, Convallaria, Nerium | 28+ |
| Saponins | Expectorant, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating | Panax, Glycyrrhiza, Hedera | 35+ |
| Flavonoids | Antioxidant, vascular strengthening, anti-cancer | Ginkgo, Sophora, Citrus | 50+ |
| Tannins | Anti-inflammatory, astringent, wound healing | Quercus, Camellia, Potentilla | 40+ |
| Educational Use | Student Level | Specimens Utilized | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacognosy practicals | Undergraduate pharmacy students | ~2,000 | Compound identification, extraction techniques |
| Research projects | Graduate students | ~1,500 | Experimental design, analytical methods |
| Elective courses (e.g., homeopathy) | All levels | ~300 | Understanding alternative therapeutic approaches |
| Diploma works | Final year students | Variable | Independent research skills |
| Compound Class | Retention After 10 Years | Retention After 20 Years | Retention After 30 Years | Best Preservation Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alkaloids | 95% | 88% | 75% | Darkness, low humidity |
| Flavonoids | 98% | 92% | 85% | Antioxidant papers, darkness |
| Tannins | 99% | 94% | 89% | Any stable conditions |
| Essential Oils | 45% | 28% | 15% | Sealed containers, low temperature |
| Cardiac Glycosides | 97% | 90% | 78% | Inert atmosphere, darkness |
How students use the collection for hands-on learning
Researchers identify relevant specimens based on their chemical classification. For example, if studying cardiac glycosides, they might select specimens from genera like Digitalis (foxglove) or Convallaria (lily of the valley).
Although herbarium specimens are dried, they still retain their chemical properties. Researchers carefully reactivate small portions of the material by rehydration or direct solvent extraction.
Using appropriate solvents (methanol for polar compounds, hexane for non-polar compounds), researchers extract the compounds of interest. This might involve techniques like maceration, Soxhlet extraction, or ultrasound-assisted extraction.
Initial screening tests identify the general classes of compounds present. These include Dragendorff's test for alkaloids, Ferric chloride test for phenolics, Foam test for saponins, and Bornträger's test for anthracene derivatives.
Using techniques like High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) or Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), researchers quantify specific compounds of interest 1 .
Extracts are tested for biological activity using in vitro assays—for example, antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria or antioxidant capacity using DPPH radical scavenging assays.
| Reagent/Material | Function | Application Example |
|---|---|---|
| Methanol (various concentrations) | Extraction of polar compounds | Flavonoid, tannin, and glycoside extraction |
| Hexane/Ethyl acetate | Extraction of non-polar compounds | Essential oil, fatty oil, and lipophilic compound extraction |
| Dragendorff's reagent | Alkaloid detection | Formation of orange precipitate with alkaloids |
| Ferric chloride solution | Phenolic compound detection | Blue-black color with tannins, green with flavonoids |
| Benedict's reagent | Reducing sugar detection | Detection of carbohydrate moieties in glycosides |
| Sulfuric acid (concentrated) | Anthraquinone detection | Red coloration with anthracene derivatives |
| Silica gel G plates | Thin-layer chromatography | Separation and preliminary identification of compounds |
| HPLC columns | High-performance separation | Quantitative analysis of specific compounds |
| DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) | Antioxidant activity assay | Measurement of free radical scavenging capacity |
Its unique taxonomy, organized around bioactive compounds rather than strict botanical relationships, offers a practical framework for education and drug discovery that directly connects plant chemistry to therapeutic application.
As we face ongoing health challenges and continue to seek new medicines from nature, resources like this herbarium become increasingly valuable. They preserve not just plant specimens, but the knowledge embedded in traditional healing practices—knowledge that might otherwise be lost to time.
The next breakthrough medicine might very well be hiding in the leaves of a plant collected decades ago and preserved in this remarkable collection, waiting for a curious researcher to unlock its secrets.
In this way, the Herbarium-Museum continues Sechenov University's legacy of innovation—honoring the healing wisdom of the past while forging new paths in medical science.
Acknowledgement: The authors thank the staff of the Pharmacognosy Department at Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University for their decades of work in building and maintaining this exceptional collection.