Screening of Volatile Compounds, Traditional and Modern Phytotherapy Approaches of Selected Non-Aromatic Medicinal Plants (Lamiaceae, Lamioideae) from Rtanj Mountain, Eastern Serbia

Abstract

Ironwort (Sideritis montana L.), mountain germander (Teucrium montanum L.), wall germander (Teucrium chamaedrys L.), and horehound (Marrubium peregrinum L.) are species widely distributed across Europe and are also found in North Africa and West Asia. Because of their wide distribution they express significant chemical diversity. For generations, these plants have been used as medical herbs for treating different aliments. The aim of this paper is to analyze volatile compounds of four selected species that belong to the subfamily Lamioideae, family Lamiaceae, and inspect scientifically proven biological activities and potential uses in modern phytotherapy in relation to traditional medicine. Therefore, in this research, we analyze the volatile compounds from this plants, obtained in laboratory by a Clevenger-type apparatus, followed by liquid–liquid extraction with hexane as the solvent. The identification of volatile compounds is conducted by GC-FID and GC-MS. Although these plants are poor in essential oil, the most abundant class of volatile components are mainly sesquiterpenes: germacrene D (22.6%) in ironwort, 7-epi-trans-sesquisabinene hydrate (15.8%) in mountain germander, germacrene D (31.8%) and trans-caryophyllene (19.7%) in wall germander, and trans-caryophyllene (32.4%) and trans-thujone (25.1%) in horehound. Furthermore, many studies show that, in addition to the essential oil, these plants contain phenols, flavonoids, diterpenes and diterpenoids, iridoids and their glycosides, coumarins, terpenes, and sterols, among other active compounds, which affect biological activities. The other goal of this study is to review the literature that describes the traditional use of these plants in folk medicine in regions where they grow spontaneously and compare them with scientifically confirmed activities. Therefore, a bibliographic search is conducted on Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar to gather information related to the topic and recommend potential applications in modern phytotherapy. In conclusion, we can say that selected plants could be used as natural agents for promoting health, as a source of raw material in the food industry, and as supplements, as well as in the pharmaceutical industry for developing plant-based remedies for prevention and treatment of many diseases, especially cancer.

Asymmetric Introgression and Cryptic Natural Hybridization between Two Species of Teucrium Section Polium (Lamiaceae) on the Balkan Peninsula

“…The aerial parts of the plants have been employed in traditional medicine for the treatment of liver and stomach diseases and lung diseases, and as a diuretic. Furthermore, they exhibit antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antioxidant effects [ 8 , 9 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. The genus comprises about 250 species, which are widely distributed across Europe, Asia, America and Australia.…”

A Systematic Review of Cardio-Metabolic Properties of Lonicera caerulea L.

“…Rigorous analysis of clinical study results brings significant validation to the efficacy of phytotherapy, solidifying its status in the modern therapeutic arsenal. Evidence-based approaches and robust research methodologies have shaped a solid scientific framework for actual phytotherapeutic practice [ 6 ]. In a world dominated by synthetic pharmaceuticals, the renewed interest in plant-based medicine reflects a desire for remedies closely connected to nature [ 7 ].…”

Assessment of the biological activity of Marrubium friwaldskyanum Boiss. (Lamiaceae)

“…Among them are M. vulgare , M. parviflorum , M. globosum , M. peregrinum, M. deserti and others [ 1 , [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] ]. Essential oils and extracts obtained from these herbs have shown rich composition of natural compounds including sesquiterpenes, phenolic acids, flavonoids, diterpenes and diterpenoids, iridoids and their glycosides, coumarins, and sterols [ [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] ] – content that supports the pharmacological potential of the respective plants [ 13 ]. However, there are a number of Marrubium species with limited distribution that have not been intensively studied.…”