Malva Sylvestris L.: Analytical Review of Distribution, Chemical Composition, Biological Activity and Medical Application (Literature Review)

Actuality.Phytotherapy is one of the priority areas of pharmacy.The advantages of this direction are, of course, relative safety, accessibility, ensuring access for people of any age.The Malvaceae family is famous for such medicinal plants as Althea officinalis and Hibiscus sabdariffa.Malva sylvestris L., which is currently widely used in medicine and pharmaceutical practice. Purpose of the article.To analyze and summarize the data of literary sources regarding the botanical characteristics, distribution area, content of biologically active substances and the spectrum of potential use in pharmacy of Malva sylvestris L (common mallow). Material and methods. Literary and electronic sources of information on botanical description, distribution area, chemical composition and pharmacological activity.Result and discussion.Malva sylvestris L. is a biennial or annual plant with a wide area of distribution.Malva sylvestris L. contains a significant amount of biologically active substances in the form of micro-and macroelements (especially K, Fe), amino acids and proteins (asparagine), carbohydrates (sucrose and fructose), organic acids (oxalic acid), flavonoids (malvidin), vitamins, pigments and mucus.The plant has been used since ancient times due to its anti-inflammatory, emollient, laxative, antitumor and antimicrobial properties. Conclusion.The results of the data analysis of the studied sources of information indicate the widespread distribution of the plant, the content of valuable biologically active compounds in the plant material, a significant spectrum of pharmacological activity and the use of Malva sylvestris L. in medicine.Further more detailed phytochemical, pharmacognostic and pharmacological study of the plant and conducting thorough research in the direction of clarifying the possibility of creating new therapeutic and preventive means on its basis is expedient.