INTRODUCTION: Chemical, ethnopharmacological and pharmacological research on Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown and the evidence that exists for its various usages have been looked for, focusing on high quality studies. ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION: The species is mainly used against digestive and respiratory ailments, and as a sedative and antihypertensive remedy. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Seven chemotypes exist for the essential oil, the non-volatile compounds are iridioids, phenylethanoids, flavone glycosides and biflavonoids. BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL APPRAISAL: Some positive, although partial, results have been obtained on sedative and anxiolytic activities. Real effects in other traditional uses can mainly be explained by anti-infectious and analgesic properties, at the moment. CONCLUSION: Well conducted biological studies are still needed for several indications of this species. Its use as a sedative deserves a clinical investigation. The chemical variability of the species seems important both in the essential oil and in non-volatile compounds, so future research on the pharmacological properties of these extracts should provide more chemical data which will increase their validity.
INTRODUCTION: Chemical, ethnopharmacological and pharmacological research on Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown and the evidence that exists for its various usages have been looked for, focusing on high quality studies. ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION: The species is mainly used against digestive and respiratory ailments, and as a sedative and antihypertensive remedy. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Seven chemotypes exist for the essential oil, the non-volatile compounds are iridioids, phenylethanoids, flavone glycosides and biflavonoids. BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL APPRAISAL: Some positive, although partial, results have been obtained on sedative and anxiolytic activities. Real effects in other traditional uses can mainly be explained by anti-infectious and analgesic properties, at the moment. CONCLUSION: Well conducted biological studies are still needed for several indications of this species. Its use as a sedative deserves a clinical investigation. The chemical variability of the species seems important both in the essential oil and in non-volatile compounds, so future research on the pharmacological properties of these extracts should provide more chemical data which will increase their validity.
Authors: Mohammed Rahmatullah; Rownak Jahan; F M Safiul Azam; S Hossan; M A H Mollik; Taufiq Rahman Journal: Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med Date: 2011-07-03
Authors: Luana G Maynard; Kátia C Santos; Patrícia S Cunha; André S Barreto; Magna G Peixoto; Fátima Arrigoni-Blank; Arie F Blank; Péricles B Alves; Leonardo R Bonjardin; Márcio R V Santos Journal: Indian J Pharmacol Date: 2011-11 Impact factor: 1.200