## 4 Discussion
vulgaris_ aqueous-alcoholic extract led to the normalization of catalase and transferrin activity on the 7 th day, while ceruloplasmin reached physiological values on the 14 th day. This demonstrated the antioxidant activity of the extract, which may be associated with the content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. At the same time, the aqueous extract did not have a pronounced effect on the activity of enzymes, which confirmed its lower therapeutic value compared with the aqueous-alcoholic extract. A link between antioxidant and antitumor effects has also been shown for other plant extracts [58]. The animal body is characterized by an appropriate degree of saturation of tissues and organs with trace metal elements, which play the role of basic modulators for the synthesis of organic structures and biologically active substances, maintaining the stability of homeostasis in a healthy organism. The peculiarity of the biological action of trace elements asbiotics is that they activate most enzymatic systems in the tissues of the body; stimulate the processes of tissue respiration, energy metabolism, haematopoiesis, immunological reactions, synthesis of biologically active substances, metabolism of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids; and adjust the level of free radical processes, depending on the changes that occur in the quantitative content of trace elements in the tissues and organs of the body [59; 60; 61; 62]. In stressful situations, especially those accompanied by malignant growth, corresponding shifts in the redistribution of trace metal elements in tissues occur so quickly that the body does not have time to adapt to changes in metabolic processes, which they correct, contributing to the accumulation of biologically active products that are not specific during normal life, causing an increase in endotoxicosis to a level incompatible with life. The oncological process in the control group was accompanied by significant losses of Fe, Cu, Zn, and Co, which are associated with increased free radical processes, suppression of the antioxidant system, and impaired metabolism of bioelements [63; 64]. Treatment with the _F. vulgaris_ aqueous-alcoholic extract contributed to the partial normalisation of the levels of these elements, especially iron and copper, which could be explained by the increase in the activity of ceruloplasmin and transferrin. The use of the _F. vulgaris_ aqueous extract did not affect the progressive decrease in iron content, while the aqueous-alcoholic extract retained iron in the body of mice. On the 14 th day of the experiment, iron content corresponded to the physiological norm and amounted to 52.14 \(\pm\) 0.66 mg/kg (\(p\) > 0.05). Iron deficiency in the body of mice, under the influence of malignant growth, is an important pathogenetic indicator that causes a decrease in oxygen delivery to cells and contributes to the inhibition of the synthesis of iron-binding proteins, in particular transferrin, and suppression of the immune status of the body. The latter is accompanied by inhibition of the synthesis of thymocytoma antibodies, a decrease in the phagocytic function of leukocytes, and a significant impact on the quantity and quality of humoral indicators of natural and acquired immunity: opsonins, precipitins, agglutinins, complement-binding antibodies, and antioxidants [56; 62; 65; 66; 67]. Copper as a bioelement is a part of the enzyme ceruloplasmin, which stimulates the processes of haemoglobin formation by increasing iron utilization [59; 68]. The significant decrease in copper concentration in the bodies of mice in the control group and the low level of the copper-containing enzyme ceruloplasmin that we established were insufficient to ensure the complete saturation of transferrin with iron, which contributed to the activation of free radical processes against the background of intensification of malignant growth [65; 68]. The _F. vulgaris_ aqueous extract did not show a positive effect on the progressive development of copper deficiency in the body.