The Lamiaceae Family: An Overview (Plant Science Research and Practices)

This book provides information on the ethnobotanical, chemical diversity, pharmacological activities and commercial importance of over 100 Himalayan Lamiaceae species belonging to Nepeta, Ocimum, Mentha, Elsholtzia, Ajuga, Origanum, Thymus, Hyssopus, Calamintha, Plectranthus, Coleus, Perilla, Pogostemon, Salvia, Stachys, Teucrium and Scutellaria. Next, the authors provide systematic and thorough information on the phenolic composition of two Origanum species extracts obtained using different solvents and/or methods shown to possess antioxidant properties that might be correlated to their traditionally established usage. In order to protect essential oils from degradation, to improve their stability and bioavailability, different methods of their encapsulation in various colloidal systems such as microcapsules, microspheres, nanoemulsions and liposomes are introduced. In addition, literature data revealed that the incorporation of synthetic as well as herbal drugs into phospholipids carriers such as liposomes tended to improve their efficacy. Following this, in vitro-grown plantlets of Lavandula officinalis were subjected to green-synthesized silver nanoparticles at 1, 2 and 4 mg/L concentrations. Growth parameters such as elongation, shoot and root formation and biomass accumulations are investigated to understand the effects of silver nanoparticles on micropropagation. Additionally, the variation of major secondary metabolites in water extracts of 13 different Lamiaceae herbs are investigated. After raising for 8 weeks in the greenhouse, the herbs were harvested and cryopreserved using liquid nitrogen. Afterward, sample extracts (20% w/v) were prepared from the leaf using ultrapure water and analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS. The authors presents some evidence about homoploid hybridization of Origanum genus put forward by Ietswaart. If habitat, ecological and geographic isolations occur between the hybrids and their parents, these hybrids can be speciated via homoploid hybridization in the future. In conclusion, an overview of aromatic species belonging to the family Lamiaceae is presented, and the chemical composition of the volatile fraction of these existing species in Ecuador is also reported.