The growing demand for natural medicines, food products and cosmetics stimulates the search and studies on the diversity of plant species. Ferns are a promising source of biologically active substances for pharmaceutical and medical purposes. Out of 63 species of wild ferns in Ukraine, 39 species contain biologically active substances, which are used or can be used for medicinal and food purposes. Most of them have limited distribution and resources. Many of them are endangered and are in need of protection. This article highlights some aspects of the distribution, resource significance, and protection status in Ukraine and/or Europe, as well as the medicinal value of the wild medicinal ferns of Ukraine.
Lee CH, Shin SL. Functional Activities of Ferns for Human Health. In: Fernández H, Kumar A, Revilla A, editors. Working with Ferns: Issues and Applications. New York: Springer; 2010. p. 347-59.
Manickam VS, Benniamin A. Medicinal Pteridophytes of the Western Ghats, India. Indian J Tradit Know. 2007; 6(4): 611-18.
Sarker SK, Hossain ABME. Pteridophytes of greater Mymensingh district of Bangladesh used as vegetables and medicines. Bangladesh J Plant Taxon. 2009; 16(1): 47-56.
Mir SA, Mishra AK, Reshi ZA, Sharma MP. Preliminary phytochemical screening of some Pteridophyte from district Shopian (J & K). Int J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2013; 5(4): 632-7.
Valizadeh H, Ali S, Kordi FM, Dehghan H Bahadori MB. Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Content of Eight Fern Species from North of Iran. Pharm Sci. 2015; 21: 18-24.
Vasudeva SM. Economic importance of Pteridophytes. Indian Fern Journal. 1999; 16(1-2): 130-152.
Plant resources of Russia and neighboring countries: Part I. Families Lycopodiaceae - Ephedraceae; Part II. Additions to the 1-7th volumes. Budantsev AL editor. SPb: Peace and Family-95; 1996 (In Russian).
Minarchenko VM. Medical vascular plants of Ukraine (medical and resource value). Kyiv: Fitosociocentre; 2005 (In Ukrainian).
Han X, Li Z, Li CY, Jiaa WN, Wang HT, Wang CH. Phytochemical constituents and biological activities of plants from the genus Dryopteris. Chem Biodivers. 2015; 12(8): 1131-62. doi: 10.1002/ cbdv.201400157
De Medeiros JM, Macedo M, Contancia JP, Nguyen C, Cunningham G, Miles DH. Antithrombin activity of medicinal plants of the Azores. J Ethnopharmac. 2000; 72 (1-2): 157-65. doi: 10.1016/ S0378-8741(00)00226-9
Vasheka OV, Bezsmertna OO. Ferns atlas of Ukrainian flora: monograf. Kyiv: Palyvoda A.V.; 2012 (In Ukrainian).
Didukh Ya P (ed). Red Book of Ukraine. Kyiv: Globalkonsaltyng, 2009.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [Internet]. Version 2016-3. [Downloaded on 2017 January 24; cited 2017 March 02]. Inc. Available from: http://www.iucnredlist.org
Minarchenko V. Medicinal plants of Ukraine: diversity, resources, legislation. Medicinal Plant Conservation Newsletter. 2011; 14: 7-13. http://cmsdata. iucn.org/downloads/mpc_14_1.pdf
Al-Snafi AE. The chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Adiantum capillus-veneris - a review. Asian J Pharm Sci Tech. 2015; 5(2): 106-11.
Singh M, Singh N, Khare PB, Rawat AKS. Antimicrobial activity of some important Adiantum species used traditionally in indigenous systems of medicine. J Ethnopharmac. 2008; 115(2): 327-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2007.09.018
Ishaq MS, Hussain MM, Siddique M, Ali G, Khattak M, Ahmad S, et al. In Vitro Phytochemical, Antibacterial, and Antifungal Activities of Leaf, Stem, and Root Extracts of Adiantum capillus veneris. Scientific World J. 2014. doi. org/10.1155/2014/269793.
Sen A, Gosh PD. A note on the ethnobotanical studies of some pteridophytes in Assam. Indian J Tradit Knowl. 2011; 10(2): 292-5.
Ibraheim ZZ, Ahmed AS, Gouda YG. Phytochemical and biological studies of Adiantum capillus-veneris L. Saudi Pharm J. 2011; 19(2): 65-74. doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2011.01.007
Mannan MM, Maridass M, Victor B. A Review on the Potential Uses of Ferns. Ethnobotanical Leaflets. 2008; 12: 281-5.
Dar A, Faizi S, Naqvi S, Roome T, Zikr-ur-Rehman S, Ali M, et al. Analgesic and antioxidant activity of mangiferin and its derivatives: the structure activity relationship. Biol Pharm Bull. 2005; 28(4): 596-600.
Dall`Acqua S, Tomè F, Vitalini S, Agradi E, Innocenti G. In vitro estrogenic activity of Asplenium trichomanes L. extracts and isolated compounds. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009; 122(3): 424-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.02.012
Imperato F. A new sulfated flavonol glycoside in the fern Asplenium fontanum. Bernh Chem Ind. 1980; 540-1.
Imperato F. Xanthone 2,4-di-C-glycosides from Asplenium adiantum-nigrum. Phytochemistry. 1991; 30: 3839-40. doi: 10.1016/0031-9422(91)80132-K
Iwashina T, López-Sáez JA, Herrero A, Kitajima J, Matsumoto S. Flavone glycosides from Asplenium foreziense and its five related taxa and A. incisum. Biochem Systematics and Ecology. 2000; 28(7): 665-71.
Fan P, Zhao L, Hostettmann K, Lou H. Chemical constituents of Asplenium ruta-muraria L. Nat Prod Res. 2012; 26(15): 1413-8. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2011.599805
Iwashina T, Matsumoto S. Flavonoid Properties of six Asplenium species in Vanuatu and New Caledonia, and Distribution of Flavonoid and Related Compounds in Asplenium. Bull Natl Mus Nat Sci. 2011; Ser. B, 37(3): 133-45.
Ashalatha K. Isolation & characterization of biologically active compounds from the medicinal plants Salvinia natans and Decalepis hamiltonii and total synthesis of cleistenolide and yashabushidiol derivatives. 2011 [updated 2013 Apr. 22; cited 2017 Jan 20]. Available from: http://hdl.handle. net/10603/8226
Mizuno M, Kyotani Y, Iinuma M, Tanaka T, Kojima H. Iwatsuki K. Kaempferol glycosides in Asplenium scolopendrium Newm. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C. 1990; 45(3-4): 143-6. doi: 10.1515/ znc-1990-3-401
You-Min S, Young-Won C, Min-Hye Y, Jin-Woong K. Terpenoid constituents from the aerial parts of Asplenium scolopendrium. Nat Prod Sci. 2008; 14(4): 265-8.
Aibuldinov Ye, Ozek G, Rakhmadiyeva S, Basher KHC. Gas-chromatographic and mass spectrometric evaluation of essential oils of four ferns from Kazakhstan. Newsletter of L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University. 2012; 6: 265-70.
Imperato F. Flavonol glycosides from ferns of the genera Asplenium and Cheilanthes. Biochem Syst Ecol. 1989; 17(2): 161-6. doi: 10.1016/0305-1978(89)90074-4
Froissard D, Fons F, Bessière JM, Buatois B, Rapior S. Volatiles of French ferns and «fougère» scent in perfumery. Nat Prod Commun. 2011; 6(11): 1723-6.
Singh S, Singh R. Ethnomedicinal use of Pteridophytes in reproductive health of tribal women of Pachmarhi biosphere reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India. Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2012; 3(12): 4780-90.
Iwashina T, Matsumoto S. Flavonoid variation and evolution in Asplenium normale and related species (Aspleniaceae). Journal of Plant Research. 1994; 107(3): 275-82.
Akmuradov A, Rakhmanov O. Medicinal resources of pteridoflora of Turkmenistan, applied to folk medicine. Healthcare of Turkmenistan. 2011; 1: 29-34.
Akmuradov A, Shaiymov BK. Medical plants of the Koitendag flora used in folk medicine. Sib Med J. 2015; 4: 86-9.
Bahadori MB, Kordi FM, Ahmadi AA., Bahadori Sh, Valizadeh H. Antibacterial evaluation and preliminary phytochemical screening of selected ferns from Iran. Res J Pharmacognosy (RJP). 2015; 2(2): 53-9.
Kumar A, Kumari J, Kumar H, Nath A, Singh JK., Ali M, et al. Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of Azolla filiculoides on profenofos induced hepatotoxicity in swiss albino mice. Carib J Sci Tech. 2014; 2: 372-7.
Pieterse AH, de Lange L, Van Vliet JP. A comparative study of Azolla in the Netherlands. Acta Botanica Neerlandica. 1977; 26(6): 433-49.
Pereira AL, Carrapiço F. Histochemistry of simple hairs from the foliar cavities of Azolla filiculoides. Plant Biosystems. 2007; 141(3): 323-8. doi: 10.1080/11263500701627588
Masood A, Zeeshan M, Abraham G. Response of growth and antioxidant enzymes in Azolla plants (Azolla pinnata and Azolla filiculoides) exposed to UV-B. Acta Biol Hung. 2008; 59 (2):247-258. doi: 10.1556/ABiol.59.2008.2.10
Holst RW. Anthocyanins of Azolla. American Fern Journal. 1977; 67: 99-100.
Plants for a future [Internet]. [updated 2014 Oct 27; cited 2017 May 02]. Available from: http://www. pfaf.org/user/Default.aspx
Srivastava K. Ethnobotanical Studies of Some Important Ferns. Ethnobotanical Leaflets. 2007; 11: 164-72.
Đurđević L, Mitrović M, Pavlović P, Bojović S, Jarić S, Oberan L, et al. Total phenolics and phenolic acids content in leaves, rhizomes and rhizosphere soil under Ceterach officinarum D.C., Asplenium trichomanes L. and Adiantum nigrum L. in the gorge of Sićevo (Serbia). Ekológia (Bratislava). 2007; 26(2): 164-73.
Guarino C, De Simone L, Santoro S. Ethnobotanical Study of the Sannio Area, Campania, Southern Italy. Ethnobotany Research & Applications. 2008; 6: 255-317.
Ullah F, Ullah A, Sohail A, Khan R. Diversity, distribution and ecological importance of weeds in the maize crop at maidan valley, dir (l), khyber pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Pak J Weed Sci Res. 2015; 21(4): 543-53.
Vogler G, Donath O, Saukel J, Rauch AW, Kählig H, Krenn L. Polar phenolic compounds in Dryopter is filix-mas and Dryopteris dilatata. Verh Zool-Bot Ges Österreich. 2012; 148/149: 279-89.
Imperato F. Kaempferol 3-O-(acetylrutinoside), a new flavonoid and two Nnew fern constituents, quercetin 3-O-(acetylglucoside) and 3-O- (acetylrutinoside) from Dryopteris villarii. American Fern Journal. 2006; 96(3): 93-6. doi: 10.1640/0002-8444(2006)96[93:SN]2.0.CO;2
Kovganko NV, Kashkan ZhN, Krivenok SN, Potapovich MV, Eremin AN, Metelitsa DI. Bioactive compounds in the flora of Belarus. 2. Astragalin, an effective protector of catalase from ultrasonic inactivation in aqueous solutions. Chemistry of Natural Compounds. 2004; 40(1): 71-4. doi:10.1023/B:CONC.0000025471.16712.bf
Uma R, Pravin B. In vitro Cytotoxic Activity of Marsilea quadrifolia Linn of MCF-7 Cells of Human Breast Cancer. Int Res J Medical Sci I. 2013; 1(1): 10-3.
Ripa FA, Nahar L, Haque M, Islam MM. Antibacterial, Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activity of Crude Extract of Marsilea quadrifolia. Eur J Sci Res. 2009; 33(1): 123-9.
Li S, Zhang D, Yang L, Li Y, Zhu X, KmonÃIková E, et al. HPLC Quantitative Analysis of Main Stilbenes and Flavones in Different Parts of Matteuccia struthiopteris. Journal of Chemistry. 2013; 2013. doi.org/10.1155/2013/452610
Li B, Ni Y, Zhu LJ, Wu FB, Yan F, Zhang X, et al. Flavonoids from Matteuccia struthiopteris and their Anti-influenza virus (H1N1) activity. J Nat Prod. 2015; 78(5): 987-95.
Zhang D, Yang L, Fu MH, Tu YY. Studies on chemical constituents of rhizome of Matteuccia struthiopteris III. China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica. 2008; 33(14): 1703-5.
Yang L, Wang MY, Zhao YY, Tu YY. Chemical constituents of the rhizome of Matteuccia struthiopteris. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. 2005; 40(3): 252-4.
Yang L, Wang MY, Zhao YY, Tu YY. Studies on chemical constituents in rhizome of Matteuccia struthiopteris. China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica. 2004; 29(7): 648- 9.
Yang L, Zhao YY, Tu YY Chemical constituents of the rhizome of Matteuccia struthiopteris. China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica. 2003; 28: 278-9.
Borozenets AS, Andrianova GS. The search for carriers of vitamins P and C among wild flora of the Far East. Proceedings of the Khabarovsk Medical Institute. 1962; 23(1): 147-50 (In Russian).
Shreter AI Medicinal flora of the Soviet Far East. Moscow: Medicine; 1975 (In Russian).
Clericuzio M, Burlando B, Gandini G, Tinello S, Ranzato E, Martinotti S, et al. Keratinocyte wound healing activity of galactoglycerolipids from the fern Ophioglossum vulgatum L. J Nat Med. 2014; 68(1): 31-7. doi: 10.1007/s11418-013-0759-y
Clericuzio M, Tinello S, Burlando B, Ranzato E, Martinotti S, Cornara L, et al. Flavonoid oligoglycosides from Ophioglossum vulgatum L. having wound healing properties. Planta Med. 2012; 78(15): 1639-44. doi: 10.1055/s-0032-1315149
Fons F, Froissard D, Bessière JM, Buatois B, Rapior S. Biodiversity of Volatile Organic Compounds from Five French Ferns. Nat Prod Commun. 2010; 5(10): 1655-8.
Imperato F. A new flavonoid, quercetin 3-O-(X`-acetyl-X`-cinnamoyl-glucoside) and a new fern constituent, quercetin 3-O- (glucosylrhamnoside) from Dryopteris villarii. American Fern Journal. 2007; 97(2): 233-6. doi: 10.1640/0002-8444(2007)97[124:SN]2.0.CO;2
Assessment report on Polypodium vulgare L., rhizoma. European Medicines Agency Evaluation of Medicines for Human Use. Doc. Ref.: EMEA/ HMPC/600669/2007 [Internet]. 2008. [updated 2008 Nov 6; cited 2017 May 25]. Available from:. http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_HMPC_assessment_re-port/2009/12/WC500018581.pdf
Soare LC, FerdeÅŸ M, Deliu I, Gibea A. Studies regarding the antibacterial activity of some extracts of native pteridophytes. UPB Sci Bull. 2012; Series B, 74(1): 21-6.
Shishmarev VM. Medical ferns of Burytia. Buryat State University Bulletin. 2013; 12: 69-71 (In Russian).
Chen N. Study on the extraction of flavonoid compound in Pteridium aquilinum (L.) and its antioxidant property. Food and Ferment Indust. 2003; 29(11): 63-6.
Xu W, Zhang F, Luo Y, Ma L, Kou X, Huang K. Antioxidant activity of a water-soluble polysaccharide purified from Pteridium aquilinum. Carbohydr Res. 2009; 344(2): 217-22. doi: 10.1016/j. carres.2008.10.021
Srilaxmi P, Sareddy GR, Kavikishor PB, Setty OH, Babu PP. Protective efficacy of natansnin, a dibenzoyl glycoside from Salvinia natans against CCl4 induced oxidative stress and cellular degeneration in rat liver. BMC Pharmacology. 2010; 10:13. doi: 10.1186/1471-2210-10-13
Yang X et al. Encyclopedic reference of traditional Chinese medicine. Berlin Heidenberg: Springer- Verlag;. 2003.
Murakami T, Wada H, Tanaka N, Chen CM. Chemical and Chemotaxonomical Studies of Filices. LXV.: A Few New Flavonoid Glycosides. (2) (Organic). Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. 1986; 106(11): 982-8.
Email this article (Login required) 
