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Traditional uses, chemical composition and biological activities of Sideritis raeseri Boiss. & Heldr.
Author(s) -
Romanucci Valeria,
Di Fabio Giovanni,
D'Alonzo Daniele,
Guaragna Annalisa,
Scapagnini Giovanni,
Zarrelli Armando
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.7867
Subject(s) - traditional medicine , polyphenol , antimicrobial , phytochemistry , folk medicine , botany , chemistry , biology , antioxidant , medicine , biochemistry , organic chemistry
Abstract Sideritis species have been used in folk medicine for their antimicrobial, antiulcerogenic, digestive and anti‐inflammatory properties. Over the years, the phytochemistry of the genus Sideritis has been studied, and various terpenoids, sterols, coumarins and especially flavonoid aglycones and glycosides have been identified. In particular, species from the Balkan Peninsula have been studied and were found to be rich in flavonoids, with valuable antioxidant activity. In the folk medicine of the Balkan countries, Sideritis raeseri is used as a herbal tea in the treatment of inflammation, gastrointestinal disorders and coughs, and also as a tonic, whereas extracts are used as a component of dietary supplements for anaemia. Its dried inflorescences are used to prepare a beverage called ‘mountain tea’. In light of the considerable interest generated in the chemistry, pharmacological properties and commercial value of S. raeseri Boiss. & Heldr., we review and summarise the available literature on these plants. The review details the chemical composition of the essential oil, its mineral and polyphenol contents, the naming of these plants and their physicochemical characterisation, and the nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data and biological properties associated with the plant extracts, with a focus on their potential chemotherapeutic applications. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry