Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng: Botanical, Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Nutritional Significance

Abstract

Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. is a perennial herb belonging to the family Lamiaceae which occurs naturally throughout the tropics and warm regions of Africa, Asia and Australia. This herb has therapeutic and nutritional properties attributed to its natural phytochemical compounds which are highly valued in the pharmaceutical industry. Besides, it has horticultural properties due to its aromatic nature and essential oil producing capability. It is widely used in folk medicine to treat conditions like cold, asthma, constipation, headache, cough, fever and skin diseases. The leaves of the plant are often eaten raw or used as flavoring agents, or incorporated as ingredients in the preparation of traditional food. The literature survey revealed the occurrence 76 volatiles and 30 non-volatile compounds belonging to different classes of phytochemicals such as monoterpenoids, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, esters, alcohols and aldehydes. Studies have cited numerous pharmacological properties including antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antitumor, wound healing, anti-epileptic, larvicidal, antioxidant and analgesic activities. Also, it has been found to be effective against respiratory, cardiovascular, oral, skin, digestive and urinary diseases. Yet, scientific validation of many other traditional uses would be appreciated, mainly to discover and authenticate novel bioactive compounds from this herb. This review article provides comprehensive information on the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and nutritional importance of P. amboinicus essential oil and its various solvent extracts. This article allows researchers to further explore the further potential of this multi-utility herb for various biomedical applications.

Antimicrobial Properties of Plant Essential Oils against Human Pathogens and Their Mode of Action: An Updated Review

“…Importantly, the unique aroma and other bioactive properties of an essential oil depend on its chemical constituents. In MAPs, essential oils generally accumulate in the secretary canals or cavities and glandular trichomes and sometimes in the epidermal cells [4]. Essential oils and their chemical constituents exhibit more bioactivity when present in the oxygenated or active form.…”

“…In general, the chemical composition of essential oils is relatively complex, and about 20 to 60 different bioactive components are observed in many of these essential oils. Many of these compounds are pharmaceutically appreciated for their numerous culinary properties [1, 4, 7, 13]. Usually, the chemical characterization of many essential oils reveals the presence of only 2-3 major components at a fairly high concentration (20–70%) compared to other components present in trace amounts [101].…”

“…The major component (~90%) of bioactive essential oils is constituted of monoterpenes [103]. Some of the major compounds include monoterpene hydrocarbons ( p -cymene, limonene, α -pinene, and α -terpinene), oxygenated monoterpenes (camphor, carvacrol, eugenol, and thymol), diterpenes (cembrene C, kaurene, and camphorene), sesquiterpene hydrocarbons ( β -caryophyllene, germacrene D, and humulene), oxygenated sesquiterpenes (spathulenol, caryophyllene oxide), monoterpene alcohols (geraniol, linalool, and nerol), sesquiterpene alcohol (patchoulol), aldehydes (citral, cuminal), acids (geranic acid, benzoic acid), ketones (acetophenone, benzophenone), lactones (bergapten), phenols (eugenol, thymol, carvacrol, and catechol), esters (bornyl acetate, ethyl acetate), and coumarins (fumarin, benzofuran) [1, 4, 8, 13, 104, 105]. The structures of some of these compounds are represented in Figure 1.…”

“…At present, more than 80% of the global population depends on traditional plant-based medications for treating various human health problems [2–4]. According to an estimate, the worth of herbal products on the global market is approximately 62 billion USD, and it is predicted to grow up to 5 trillion USD by the year 2050 [5].…”

Potensi Fraksi Etil Asetat Daun Torbangun (Coleus amboinicus L.) dalam Meningkatkan Produksi Susu, Bobot Badan Tikus, dan Anak Tikus

“…Arumugam et al (2016) menyatakan dalam fraksi etil asetat daun torbangun mengandung komponen aktif p-coumaric acid, rosmarinic acid, chysoeriol, eriodictyol, luteolin, quercetin, rutin, 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy flavones, 5,4'dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxy flavones, 5-o-methyl-luteolin, apigenin. Menurut Mohanty et al (2014), beberapa komponen fitokimia, seperti polifenol, tanin dan alkaloid memiliki pengaruh untuk meningkatkan produksi susu, konsentrasi protein susu dan tingkat ovulasi, meningkatkan pencernaan protein dan membantu dalam mengeluarkan air susu.…”