Synthetic polyploidization induces enhanced phytochemical profile and biological activities in Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil.

Essential oil from Thymus vulgaris L. has valuable therapeutic potential that is highly desired in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. Considering these advantages and the rising market demand, induced polyploids were obtained using oryzalin to enhance essential oil yield. However, their therapeutic values were unexplored. So, this study aims to assess the phytochemical content, and antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of tetraploid and diploid thyme essential oils. Induced tetraploids had 41.11% higher essential oil yield with enhanced thymol and γ-terpinene content than diploid. Tetraploids exhibited higher antibacterial activity against all tested microorganisms. Similarly, in DPPH radical scavenging assay tetraploid essential oil was more potent with half-maximal inhibitory doses (IC50) of 180.03 µg/mL (40.05 µg TE/mg) than diploid with IC50 > 512 µg/mL (12.68 µg TE/mg). Tetraploids exhibited more effective inhibition of in vitro catalytic activity of pro-inflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) than diploids at 50 µg/mL concentration. Furthermore, molecular docking revealed higher binding affinity of thymol and γ-terpinene towards tested protein receptors, which explained enhanced bioactivity of tetraploid essential oil. In conclusion, these results suggest that synthetic polyploidization using oryzalin could effectively enhance the quality and quantity of secondary metabolites and can develop more efficient essential oil-based commercial products using this induced genotype.

Synthetic polyploid induction influences morphological, physiological, and photosynthetic characteristics in Melissa officinalis L.

Melissa officinalis L., a well-known herb with diverse industrial and ethnopharmacological properties. Although, there has been a significant lack in the breeding attempts of this invaluable herb. This study aimed to enhance the agronomical traits of M. officinalis through in vitro polyploidization. Nodal segments were micropropagated and subjected to oryzalin treatment at concentrations of 20, 40, and 60 mM for 24 and 48 hours. Flow cytometry, chromosome counting, and stomatal characteristics were employed to confirm the ploidy level of the surviving plants. The survival rate of the treated explants decreased exponentially with increasing oryzalin concentration and duration. The highest polyploid induction rate (8%) was achieved with 40 mM oryzalin treatment for 24 hours. The induced tetraploid plants exhibited vigorous growth, characterized by longer shoots, larger leaves, and a higher leaf count. Chlorophyll content and fluorescence parameters elucidated disparities in photosynthetic performance between diploid and tetraploid genotypes. Tetraploid plants demonstrated a 75% increase in average essential oil yield, attributed to the significantly larger size of peltate trichomes. Analysis of essential oil composition in diploid and tetraploid plants indicated the presence of three major components: geranial, neral, and citronellal. While citronellal remained consistent, geranial and neral increased by 11.06% and 9.49%, respectively, in the tetraploid population. This effective methodology, utilizing oryzalin as an anti-mitotic agent for polyploid induction in M. officinalis, resulted in a polyploid genotype with superior morpho-physiological traits. The polyploid lemon balm generated through this method has the potential to meet commercial demands and contribute significantly to the improvement of lemon balm cultivation.

Medicinal plants with antidiabetic activity used in the traditional medicine in Bolivia: a review / Plantas medicinales con actividad antidiabética utilizadas en la medicina tradicional de Bolivia: una compilación

The present study aimed to document the traditional use of medicinal plants used to treat Diabetes mellitus Type II in Bolivia. Based on the scientific literature were identified 35 medicinal plant species distributed in 21 botanical families, of which 52 % are native to Bolivia and 48 % are introduced. The botanical families with the highest representation of species were Asteraceae (7 species, 19%) and Fabaceae (17%). The most frequented growth forms were herbs (34%) and trees (29%). Leaves (30%) were the most frequently used plant parts, followed by roots (14%), and bark (9%), mostly prepared as an infusion (40%) and decoction (33%). From the available scientific studies, 25 medicinal species were verified for their antidiabetic properties with positive results, but it is necessary provide more biochemical and clinical analysis of medicinal plants to make better use of their potential.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue documentar el uso tradicional de plantas medicinales para el tratamiento de la Diabetes mellitus tipo II en Bolivia. Con base en la literatura científica se identificaron 35 especies medicinales, distribuidas en 21 familias botánicas, de las cuales el 52% son nativas de Bolivia y el 48% son introducidas. Las familias botánicas con mayor representación de especies fueron Asteraceae (7 especies, 19%) y Fabaceae (17%). Las formas de crecimiento más frecuentes fueron hierbas (34%) y árboles (29%). Las hojas (30%) fueron la parte de la planta más utilizada, seguidas de las raíces (14%) y la corteza (9%), preparadas especialmente como infusión (40%) y decocción (33%). Así mismo, con base en estudios científicos disponibles, se confirmó la actividad antidiabética de 25 especies medicinales. Sin embargo, es necesario aportar más análisis bioquímicos y clínicos de las plantas medicinales para aprovechar mejor su potencial.

Estudio etnobotánico del uso de las plantas medicinales en la comunidad indígena Pijao en Natagaima, Colombia / Ethnobotanical study of the use of medicinal plants in the indigenous Pijao community in Natagaima, Colombia

Semi-structured interviews (80) were applied in order to document the medicinal plants used by the Pijao indigenous community in Natagaima, Colombia. As a result, a total of 110 species distributed in 54 families were registered, Asteraceae and Fabaceae (9% each) being the most important families. Regarding the parts of the plant, the most used structure was leaves (46.7%), the main form of preparation was infusion (32%), and the most used way of administration was oral (77.8%). The value of use of the species by informants (VUis), therelative importance of medicinal species (IRE) and the index of cultural value of medicinal species (IVUs) were determined. The most important species according to their value of use were: Tamarindus indicaL., Psidium guajavaL., Menthax piperitaL., Moringa oleiferaLam. The most reported ailments were gastrointestinal problems such as stomach pain and diarrhea, general aches, headache, fever, swollen liver, and respiratory problems.

Entrevistas semiestructuradas (80) fueron aplicadas con el fin de documentar las plantas medicinales utilizadas por la comunidad indígena Pijao en Natagaima, Colombia. Como resultado seregistraron un total de 110 especies distribuidas en 54 familias, siendo Asteráceas y Fabáceas (9% cada una) las más importantes. El órgano más utilizado fueron las hojas (46.7%). La forma de preparación principal fue la infusión (32%), y la vía de administración más utilizada fue la oral (77.8%). Se determinó el valor de uso de la especie por informante (VUis), importancia relativa de especies medicinales (IRE) y el índice de valor cultural de especies medicinales (IVUs). Las especies más importantes según el valor de uso fueron: Tamarindus indicaL., Psidium guajavaL., Menthax piperitaL. Moringa oleifera Lam. Las afecciones mayormente registradas fueron los problemas gastrointestinales, tales como dolor de estómago y diarrea; dolores corporales generales, dolor de cabeza, fiebre, hígado inflamado y problemas respiratorios.