Spinei Larisa | Author | IgMin Research - A Multidisciplinary Open Access Journal

Biography

Spinei Larisa is a Professor at the Department of Social Medicine and Management at the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemițanu” in Chișinău, Republic of Moldova. She also serves as an editor and reviewer for IgMin Research, an international open-access journal covering multidisciplinary research in biology, medicine, and engineering. Her academic interests include biostatistics, research methodology, social medicine, healthcare management, and the study of disabilities in both pediatric and adult populations.

In 2025, Spinei Larisa co-authored a notable narrative review titled “Risks and Effects of Medicinal Plants as an Adjuvant Treatment in Mental Disorders during Pregnancy,” published in IgMin Research. This work critically examined the pharmacological roles, safety profiles, and potential herb–drug interactions relevant to maternal and fetal health. The article gained widespread readership, highlighting her impactful contributions to maternal mental health research.

At her home institution, Spinei Larisa leads various academic and departmental research initiatives. She mentors students, contributes to curriculum development, and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration across public health, mental health, and clinical medicine. Her role as a peer reviewer and scholar reflects her commitment to upholding rigorous academic standards and advancing evidence-based practices.

Spinei Larisa’s continued efforts in teaching, publishing, and research leadership have earned her recognition both in Moldova and internationally. Her work is vital in shaping public health discourse and enhancing healthcare outcomes, especially for at-risk populations.

Research Interest

Spinei Larisa’s research focuses on key areas in public health and medical science, including social medicine, healthcare management, biostatistics, and research methodology. She is particularly interested in improving healthcare systems and service delivery through data-driven, evidence-based approaches.

Her academic contributions often explore the impact of disability on health and social systems, especially in children and vulnerable adults. Spinei Larisa has also expanded her work into maternal mental health, studying the use of medicinal plants during pregnancy. Her interdisciplinary approach evaluates the safety, efficacy, and public health implications of natural therapies and integrates clinical knowledge with community-level data.

Through her work, Spinei Larisa promotes research transparency, ethical medical practices, and public health policy development. Her teaching and mentoring also reflect a strong commitment to building research capacity and healthcare innovation in Moldova and beyond.

Medicine Group (1)

Research Article Article ID: igmin298

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Risks and Effects of Medicinal Plants as an Adjuvant Treatment in Mental Disorders during Pregnancy

by Boronin Larisa, Spinei Larisa, Chihai Jana and Nastas Igor

Many medicinal plants used by patients with mental illnesses during pregnancy contain various active compounds. It is essential to guide and inform patients about the potential risks associated with the use of medicinal herbs, teas, plant parts, and plant-based products, as well as the critical time periods during which their use may be particularly harmful.The aim of this article is to highlight the most commonly used medicinal plants with psychotropic effects and to emphasize the risks associated with their use in pregnant patients with menta...l disorders. Pregnant women worldwide frequently consume herbal medicines (including herbal teas, medicinal herbs, and plant extracts), under the mistaken belief that these substances are inherently safe for the fetus and entirely beneficial because of their natural origin, as opposed to synthetic alternatives. However, natural sedatives, hypnotics, and antidepressants—such as valerian, lemon balm, lavender, passionflower, St. John's wort, mint, and chamomile-can be used without supervision and often in combination with other sedative agents, further increasing the likelihood of unpredictable risks.Methods: This study is a narrative review that involves the analysis and synthesis of scientific literature on the use of medicinal plants in mental health during pregnancy and lactation. The literature search was conducted using keywords, and data were collected from medical databases, including PubMed, Medscape, UpToDate, Elsevier, and Google Scholar.Results and discussions: A significant concern is that patients may self-administer these substances without informing their healthcare provider. Medicinal plants can induce clinical, biochemical, and genomic alterations, modulate maternal immune responses, and interfere with enzymatic and cytochrome pathways, thereby affecting the concentration and pharmacokinetics of prescribed medications in maternal blood plasma. Moreover, the active compounds in herbal medicines can cross the placental barrier, posing potential risks to fetal development, including teratogenicity, toxicity, and delayed adverse effects.