Revista de Biodiversidade, Bioprospecção e Desenvolvimento

Medicinal Potential from Plant Biodiversity in a Mediterranean Scrubland, Thymo Piperellae-Cistetum Crispi Costa, Peris & Stubing 1986

Abstract

I Martínez-Solís, MA Sanahuja, L Moreno, T Olivar, E Castillo, G Zagotto and P Soriano

Objective: The main aim of this study is establishing a research protocol for assessing the medicinal potential from the plant biodiversity in the plant association Thymo piperellae-Cistetum crispi Costa, Peris & Stübing 1986, an endemic scrubland.

Methods: The proposed protocol was a multidisciplinary study that it included: a literature review on the traditional use from characteristic plants in the plant community, appropriate pharmacological assays and antimicrobial tests for confirming medicinal properties and phytochemical analysis for studying the active substances. Finally, the percentage of scientifically studied medicinal plants was compared before and after the study for assessing the effect of protocol implementation for establishing the real potential medicinal in plant community.

Results: The review study of ethnobotanical literature showed that two of the characteristic species in plant community, E. scoparia and T. piperella, had traditional uses. The first species was used as medicinal plant for inflammations of the bladder and kidney and urinary tract disorders. The other one was used as preservative and flavoring of olives, and as an infusion for the tummy pain. After implementation the medicinal study protocol, medicinal properties of two species were demonstrated. E. scoparia showed analgesic and antiinflammatory activities and T. piperella presented spasmolytic and antimicrobial activities. In addition, the botanical characterization of the plant organs with medicinal activity was performed, and data, indumentum and other anatomical characteristics, allowed differentiating these specific plant drugs from another plant organ and other species, avoiding confusions and increasing the safety of medicinal herbal products. So the real percentage of scientifically studied medicinal plants increased in the studied vegetation after applied the proposed protocol for assessing its medicinal potential.

Conclusion: The proposed protocol for assessing the real medicinal potential in a plant community is valid for this aim.