Bioactive Compounds in Essential Oils of Lamiaceae
Summary
Essential oils extracted from members of the Lamiaceae family represent a rich reservoir of bioactive secondary metabolites, most notably terpenoids and phenolic derivatives. These oils frequently contain monoterpenes such as 1,8-cineole, limonene and α-pinene, sesquiterpenes including β-caryophyllene and spathulenol, as well as phenolic acids like rosmarinic acid. Their chemical profile is shaped by species-specific genetics, chemotypic variation and environmental factors such as seasonality and climatic conditions. Bioactivities documented across the family encompass broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, insecticidal and repellant activity, and phytotoxicity. Such multifunctional qualities underscore their longstanding use in traditional medicine, food preservation, agriculture and emerging therapeutic applications. Advances in analytical techniques, chiefly gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, have enabled precise characterisation of complex mixtures, leading to a deeper understanding of structure–activity relationships. Ongoing research seeks to optimise extraction methods, resolve chemotype diversity, assess safety and toxicity profiles, and harness these natural products for sustainable solutions in health and crop protection.
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Bioactive Compounds in Essential Oils of Lamiaceae publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in bioactive compounds in essential oils of lamiaceae across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Essential oil: A concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aromatic compounds extracted from plant material.
Monoterpene: A class of terpenes consisting of two isoprene units commonly found in essential oils with diverse bioactivities.
Sesquiterpene: Terpenoid molecules composed of three isoprene units, often contributing to antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Chemotype: A chemically distinct entity within a plant species characterised by a specific secondary metabolite profile.
Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS): An analytical technique for separating and identifying volatile organic compounds in complex mixtures.
NF-κB signalling pathway: A molecular cascade governing the transcription of pro-inflammatory genes, targetable by bioactive compounds to modulate immune responses.
References
- Genetic diversity, essential oil’s chemical constituents of aromatic plant Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze Syn. Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. and its uses in crop protection: a review. Frontiers in Plant Science (2024).
- Mesosphaerum suaveolens Essential Oil Attenuates Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages by Regulating NF-κB Signaling Pathway. Molecules (2023).
- Seasonal influence on the essential oil chemical composition of Hyptis crenata Pohl ex Benth.: a valuable plant from Marajó, Brazil. Frontiers in Chemistry (2024).
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