New Tricks for Old Guys: Recent Developments in the Chemistry, Biochemistry, Applications and Exploitation of Selected Species from the Lamiaceae Family

Abstract

Lamiaceae is one of the largest families of flowering plants comprising about 250 genera and over 7,000 species. Most of the plants of this family are aromatic and therefore important source of essential oils. Lamiaceae are widely used as culinary herbs and reported as medicinal plants in several folk traditions. In the Mediterranean area oregano, sage, rosemary, thyme and lavender stand out for geographical diffusion and variety of uses. The aim of this review is to provide recent data dealing with the phytochemical and pharmacological studies, and the more recent applications of the essential oils and the non‐volatile phytocomplexes. This literature survey suggests how the deeper understanding of biomolecular processes in the health and food sectors as per as pest control bioremediation of cultural heritage, or interaction with human microbiome, fields, leads to the rediscovery and new potential applications of well‐known plants.

Variations of Essential Oil Constituents in Oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. viridulum (= O. heracleoticum) over Cultivation Cycles

“…The biosynthetic linkage between thymol and carvacrol, on one side, and p -cymene and γ-terpinene, on the other side, seems to be confirmed by the high inverse correlation between their respective total amounts. The ratio between these two chemical groups complies with the current hypothesis that indicates thymol (and carvacrol) as the final product of the biosynthetical route γ-terpinene– p -cymene–thymol with the involvement of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases [ 12 , 29 , 49 ].…”

“…The relationships between thymol, carvacrol, p -cymene and γ-terpinene, linked by their belonging to the same biosynthetic pathway (the “cymyl”-pathway [ 12 , 29 ]), are examined in Table 4 . A high inverse correlation shows up between the sum thymol+carvacrol and p -cymene + γ-terpinene ( r = −0.877; p < 0.001), and a positive correlation between thymol and carvacrol ( r = 0.323; p = 0.017).…”

“…Due to its strong aromatic properties, this plant is traditionally used in Sicily for condiment purposes, and represents a basic ingredient for many traditional recipes [ 8 , 9 ]. Traditionally it was gathered from wild populations, but in recent years, increasing interest has been addressed to its specialized cultivation [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Indeed, oregano plays an increasingly important role as an industrial raw matter: both the entire plant and its biochemical derivatives, such as extracts and essential oils, are largely used in the food industry as a spice [ 13 ], as preservatives in meat storage [ 14 , 15 ] and as food products [ 16 ].…”

WITHDRAWN: Identification, Molecular Profiling, Docking Studies and determination of In-vivo Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Teucrium Stocksianum Bioss Fixed Oil (FO)

“…The family Lamiaceae is one of the most signi cant herbal families, which integrated a broad diversity of the plants having medical and biological applications [15][16]. Lamiaceae included 240 genera and 3500 species around the globe.…”

Balkans’ Asteraceae Species as a Source of Biologically Active Compounds for the Pharmaceutical and Food Industry

“…Essential oils are one of the most powerful natural antimicrobial agents. [107] Similarly, some plant metabolites can act as biopesticides as it can be seen in the case of Tanacetum corymbosum subsp. cinereum (Griseb.)…”