Biological Activity of Lamium Species and Their Secondary Metabolites
Summary
Lamium species, commonly known as dead-nettles, are rich in a diverse array of secondary metabolites that underpin their broad biological activities. Key classes include iridoids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids and phenolic acids, each contributing to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and cytoprotective effects. Studies have demonstrated that extracts from aerial parts and flowers can inhibit pathogenic fungi, suppress pro-inflammatory cytokine release and disrupt bacterial biofilms. Advanced profiling techniques have revealed species-specific metabolite patterns, while anatomical analyses of glandular trichomes clarify the sites of accumulation. The widespread distribution of Lamium across Europe, Asia and Africa, combined with low cultivation requirements, positions these plants as sustainable sources of bioactive compounds. Practical applications range from natural food preservatives and crop protectants to adjuncts in wound healing and anti-inflammatory therapies. Ongoing research aims to standardise extraction methods and optimise formulations for clinical and agricultural use, highlighting the global significance of Lamium secondary metabolites in addressing antimicrobial resistance and chronic inflammation.
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Biological Activity of Lamium Species and Their Secondary Metabolites publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in biological activity of lamium species and their secondary metabolites across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Secondary metabolites: Organic compounds not directly involved in growth or reproduction, often responsible for a plant’s defence and signalling properties.
Iridoids: Monoterpenoid glycosides known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic activities.
Flavonoids: Polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant and vascular-protective effects.
Phenylpropanoids: Aromatic metabolites derived from phenylalanine, implicated in antimicrobial and UV-protective functions.
Antioxidant activity: The ability to neutralise reactive oxygen species and prevent oxidative damage to biomolecules.
Biofilm: A structured community of microbial cells embedded in an extracellular matrix, often resistant to conventional antimicrobials.
References
- Lamium Plants—A Comprehensive Review on Health Benefits and Biological Activities. Molecules (2019).
- Bioactive Constituents of Lamium album L. as Inhibitors of Cytokine Secretion in Human Neutrophils. Molecules (2018).
- Phenolic Constituents of Lamium album L. subsp. album Flowers: Anatomical, Histochemical, and Phytochemical Study. Molecules (2020).
- Lamium album Flower Extracts: A Novel Approach for Controlling Fusarium Growth and Mycotoxin Biosynthesis. Toxins (2023).
- Antibiofilm activity of Lamium album L. Extracts. Kragujevac Journal of Science (2023).
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