Ákos Máthé

Volatile and some non-volatile chemical constituents of Mediterranean Salvia species beyond their native area

Members of the Salvia genus, like many representatives of the subfamilies Lamioideae and Nepetoideae, can be grown under the continental conditions of Hungary, beyond their native area of distribution. Salvia tomentosa Mill., S. officinalis L., S.fruticosa Mill., S. lavandulifolia Vahl., S. candelabrum Boiss., and S. ringens Sm. are species with essential oils of similar characteristics, i.e., with a predominant monoterpenoid content, whereas the thujone shows significant variations. The investigations reviewed have demonstrated that since S. tomentosa Mill. has a similar essential oil composition to S. officinalis L., but with a favorably lower thujone content, it could be regarded as a potential substitute for the purpose of essential oil production. Among the non-volatile components, ursolic, oleanolic, rosmarinic, caffeic acids do not show remarkable differences in the species investigated.

In Vitro Micropropagation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Modern biotechnological methods like in vitro micropropagation technique hold tremendous potential for the production of high-quality plant-based medicine. They also allow to achieve the large scale multiplication of disease-free plants, faster cloning and the conservation of desired genotypes, in a very short span of time. Via genetic transformation techniques, the modification of both genetic information of MAPs and the regulation of genes responsible for the production of valuable biologically active substances has also become possible in either higher amounts or with better properties.

Botanical Aspects of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Botany, the science of plants, is linked with medicinal and aromatic plants in many different ways. The ca. 40,000 plant species used for ethnomedicinal purposes, since the beginning of recorded history, have traditionally been collected and gathered from the wild. Botanical sciences (like plant systematics, morphology and physiology) have been assisting the study and utilization of MAPs in a multiple of ways.

EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND MAGNESIUM NUTRITION ON INDIAN TOBACCO (LOBELIA INFLATA L.)

Lobelia inflata L. a native North- American species is reported to possess pharmaceutically significant properties. Our experiments aimed at introducing this species to Hungary and implemented in randomized blocks with 4 repetitions, indicate the favourable effects of Mg-fertilization. Based on our results, it can be estimated that under the influence of Mg treatment an established population of Indian tobacco can produce some 3.2 kg*ha-1 total alkaloids.

Introduction: Utilization/Significance of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

The history of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (MAP) utilization dates back to the beginnings of mankind. Our forefathers used natural substances, they could find in nature, to ease, cure their sufferings, illnesses, to heal their wounds. This type of approach has survived in the Traditional Medicinal (TM) uses, until today, since nearly 80 % of the world population still relies on MAPs in their medications. The renaissance of MAP-use in the high-income countries of the world has brought about a different type of use in the form of Herbal Medicines (CAM). MAPs have become “industrial products” with new concepts like phytotherapy and veterinary medicinal uses, aromatherapy, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and animal welfare uses widening the scope of the utilization. New, innovative, value added applications include their use in functional foods, animal husbandry, as well as plant protection in agriculture. In this regards the versatile utilization of essential oils is promising. Modern approaches in production and uses have brought about an increased focus on the importance of quality, safety and efficacy of both MAPs and their produce. MAPs will also maintain their importance in the search for new, valuable sources of drugs and lead compounds. In view of the steadily increasing demands on these important natural resources, attention should be paid to the sustainable forms of production and utilization.

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World - Africa Volume 3

Natural substances of plant origin, have been used by man from the very early times of civilizations. Traditional Medicine (TM), a heritage of Africa, is still servicing approx. 80% of the population of this huge continent comprizing 55 countries, 800 languages and an unmeasurable wealth of plant diversity. The continent with a varied flora of an estimated 68,000 plant species is home to about 35,000 endemic species (Cunningham A, African medicinal plants. Setting priorities at the interface between conservation. UNESCO, Paris, 1993), growing in seven centers of endemism. Africa’s not yet fully explored medicinal plant resources frequently come into the forefront of interest. The recent upsurge is witnessed by the fact that ca. 60% of all recent publications on African medicinal plants, appeared during the last decade. There is a tremendous potential for developing new crops and new products. Research into MAPs seem to offer a nearly unlimited scope for exploration. The ongoing screening for the biological activity of MAPs is also broad and covers several important health related aspects including antimalarial and other antiprotozoal products, anti-proliferative potential, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, anti-diabetes activity antioxidant activity and activity on the reproductive cardiovascular and central nervous systems, etc. Despite of this marked recent increase, Africa is lagging behind Europe and Asia in terms of the number of products that have been commercialized and the percentage of flora utilized for international trade. The growing demand on resources, however, has resulted, in some cases, the overexploitation, the occasional local disappearance of favored sources of botanicals and have reduced the diversity of species. By elaborating international and national standards of sustainability, these dangers should be either eased or eradicated. Domestication of wild-crafted species can also contribute to preserve the genetic resources and to reduce the sometimes imminent threats of extinction. The recent initiative to develop national and ultimately an African Herbal Á. Máthé (*) Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, University of West Hungary, Mosonmagyaróvár, Hungary e-mail: acatius2005@gmail.com M. Neffati • H. Najjaa Arid Zone Research Institute, 4119 Médenine, Tunisia e-mail: neffati.mohamed@ira.rnrt.tn; hanen.najjaa@yahoo.fr

Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of Tunisian Arid and Desert Zone Used in Traditional Medicine, for Drug Discovery and Biotechnological Applications

Tunisian has a high diversity of plants as a result of the variation in topography climate and edaphic conditions of the country. Among these plants several aromatic and medicinal species are traditionally used in folk medicines to treat and/or manage common ailments. Some others species are used in foods as spices and/or in aromatherapy. The present chapter endeavors to highlight the botanical description, geographical distribution, ethno pharmacological uses of 45 species spread over 22 botanical families among those the most used in traditional medicine. Information on the chemical composition and biological activities of these species are also included in this chapter.

Introduction to Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Africa

Natural substances of plant origin, have been used by man from the very early times of civilizations. Traditional Medicine (TM), a heritage of Africa, is still servicing approx. 80% of the population of this huge continent comprizing 55 countries, 800 languages and an unmeasurable wealth of plant diversity. The continent with a varied flora of an estimated 68,000 plant species is home to about 35,000 endemic species (Cunningham A, African medicinal plants. Setting priorities at the interface between conservation. UNESCO, Paris, 1993), growing in seven centers of endemism. Africa’s not yet fully explored medicinal plant resources frequently come into the forefront of interest. The recent upsurge is witnessed by the fact that ca. 60% of all recent publications on African medicinal plants, appeared during the last decade. There is a tremendous potential for developing new crops and new products. Research into MAPs seem to offer a nearly unlimited scope for exploration. The ongoing screening for the biological activity of MAPs is also broad and covers several important health related aspects including antimalarial and other antiprotozoal products, anti-proliferative potential, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, anti-diabetes activity antioxidant activity and activity on the reproductive cardiovascular and central nervous systems, etc. Despite of this marked recent increase, Africa is lagging behind Europe and Asia in terms of the number of products that have been commercialized and the percentage of flora utilized for international trade. The growing demand on resources, however, has resulted, in some cases, the overexploitation, the occasional local disappearance of favored sources of botanicals and have reduced the diversity of species. By elaborating international and national standards of sustainability, these dangers should be either eased or eradicated. Domestication of wild-crafted species can also contribute to preserve the genetic resources and to reduce the sometimes imminent threats of extinction. The recent initiative to develop national and ultimately an African Herbal Pharmacopoeia is likely to mark an important milestone in meeting quality, safety and efficacy standards both in African and international perspectives.

Increasing the Anti-Addictive Piperidine Alkaloid Production of In VitroMicropropagated Indian Tobacco by Nitrate Treatments

Background: Lobelia inflata L. (Indian tobacco) is a traditional medicinal plant native to North America. It contains several piperidine alkaloids. Interest in Lobelia alkaloids, and in particular (-)-lobeline, the most active component, has increased in recent years due to their effect on the central nervous system. Thus, lobeline is currently the subject of renewed interest for its anti-addictive activity in the treatment of drug abuse, and neurological disorders. Our studies were aimed at introducing this species into cultivation in Hungary. Results: For direct characterization of di-substituted and mono-substituted piperidine alkaloids in extracts of L. inflata, a tandem mass spectrometric method was developed using electrospray ionization. The compounds (-) lobeline, norlobeline, lobelanidine, norlobelanine and other related structures were identified by HPLC-MS/MS. With the aim of increasing the alkaloid production, we have investigated the effect of changing the ammonium and potassium nitrate levels of the basic Murashige-Skoog medium. The highest dry mass, total alkaloid and lobeline content were measured in the herbs and roots cultured at 570 mg L-1 KNO3 content. Conclusions: The highest values for lobeline derivatives norlobeline and lobelidine were also recorded in the herba and roots of Lobelia inflata cultured on reduced KNO3 containing MS medium. The most sensitive response to media modification was observed in the case of lobelidine. Double-concentration of NH4NO3 had an inhibitory effect on plant growth, total alkaloid and lobeline content.

Detection of Organo-Sulphur Volatiles in Allium sativum by FactorialDesign

The influence of temperature and time of heating on the production and composition of organosulfur compounds (OSC) in Allium sativum were investigated in a two-level design with two factors. The organosulfur compounds were identified by Headspace-GC-MS. It was established that temperature plays an important role in the regulation of the production of monosulfides and trisulfides. The effect of both negative and positive temperatures on the production and decomposition of OSC were showed. Although, monosulfides and trisulfides were totally absent at the beginning of incubation, several mono- and trisulfides were detected in high proportions at 120°C, during the 30 minutes incubation period. It appears that high temperature reduces the amount of disulfides, which are converted to monosulfides and trisulfides.