Ethnopharmacology of the Lamiaceae: Opportunities and Challenges for Developing New Medicines

Lamiaceae (also known as mint family) is one of the largest families, with 6900-7200 accepted species names, in 236 genera. The family’s importance for medicinal, aromatic, environmental, and food purposes has been described for centuries. Species in the mint family are recognized in traditional medicine throughout the world. Some particularly prominent genera includes Salvia (900 spp.), Scutellaria (360 spp.), Stachys (360 spp.), Hyptis (280 spp.), and Thymus (360 spp.). Many of the species are cultivated including many widely used culinary herbs viz. basil, lavender, marjoram, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, savory, and thyme. Despite the discovery of many compounds in the Lamiaceae around the world, further explorations of the bioactivity of Lamiaceae species are needed.

Within this scientific framework, the focus of this Research Topic will be on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and molecular pharmacology of medicinal Lamiaceae. Submissions focusing on ethnopharmacological aspects that spur bioscientific studies are particularly welcome, as are manuscripts that deal with pharmacological/toxicological assessment of extracts /activity guided chromatographic isolation of lead compounds using validated bioassays or in vivo animal experiments. Chemotaxonomic studies that shed light on the evolution of Lamiaceae from related families will be welcome too if they address aspects related to the local and traditional use or more generally the ethnopharmacology of the family. The isolation and identification of secondary metabolites from Lamiaceae will need to be presented in the context of ethnomedicinal information.

With this Research Topic we aim to attract contributions describing the discovery, identification with in vitro / in vivo studies. Particularly appreciated will be contributions including a detailed chemical analysis like LC-MS, GC-MS, and NMR, combined with innovative pharmacological approaches. Articles describing the activity of natural mixtures, such as plant extracts, are welcome, but with mandatory accurate characterization by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques or with in vivo / clinical trial studies. Papers related to the use of in vitro and in vivo assays for the demonstration of activity and efficacy must have prior information on its traditional uses.

We welcome authors to submit Original Research articles, as well as Reviews on the current status, challenges, and prospects of medicinal plants from Lamiaceae, covering the following subtopics, but not limited to:
• Studies on bioactive compounds in medicinal plants of Lamiaceae (for examples, activity guided chromatographic isolation of lead compounds using validated bioassays).
• Phytochemical characterization (at least GC-MS/ LC-MS) and pharma-toxicological evaluation (in vitro / in vivo) of essential oil of Lamiaceae species.
• Development of molecular targets for drug discovery from Lamiaceae (the link to local/traditional practices must be spelled out clearly based on primary literature).
• Ethnobotanical research or review papers on regional, traditional, or cross-cultural practices related to the Lamiaceae.
• Randomized controlled clinical trials on the efficacy and safety of Lamiaceae plants, either alone or in combination with western medicine.
• Use of bioinformatic approaches to develop herbal drug treatment of Lamiaceae plants ideally in combination with experimental (pharmacological) approaches.

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All the manuscripts submitted to the collection will need to fully comply with the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology (you can freely download the full version here).

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