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Published on: June 15, 2018
Anti-infectious activity in the Cistaceae family in the Iberian Peninsula
Luis Miguel Bedoya1, Paulina Bermejo, María José Abad
1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Infectious diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites are still a major threat to public health, despite the tremendous progress in human medicine. New antimicrobials are needed in medicine due to the rapid emergence of new resistant and opportunistic microbes and the increasing number of patients suffering from immunosuppressive situations, e.g., acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, transplantation, cancer, etc Research on new antimicrobial substances must therefore be continued and all possible strategies should be explored. Plants have been a source of therapeutic agents from more than 5000 years. Approximately 25% of modern medications are developed from plants. In the area of infectious diseases, 75% of new drugs originated from natural sources between 1981 and 2002. As less than 10% of the world's biodiversity has been tested for biological activity, many more useful natural lead compounds are awaiting discovery. The Cistaceae family comprises a large number of species, growing in the warm temperate regions of the Mediterranean area, that have been and are still used as medicinal plants, particularly in folk medicine. In the present review, we analyse the past, present and future of medicinal plants of the Cistaceae family present in the Iberian Peninsula, both as potential antimicrobial crude drugs as well as a source of natural compounds that act as new anti-infectious agents.
Insights
Medicinal plants, particularly from the Cistaceae family in the Iberian Peninsula, offer promising natural compounds for developing new antimicrobial drugs to combat infectious diseases and rising microbial resistance.
Area of Science:
- Ethnobotany and Pharmacology
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Infectious Diseases Research
Background:
- Infectious diseases remain a significant global health threat, exacerbated by antimicrobial resistance and increasing immunocompromised populations.
- Plants have historically served as a vital source for drug discovery, with a substantial percentage of modern medicines derived from natural sources.
- The Cistaceae family, prevalent in the Mediterranean, possesses a rich history of medicinal use, yet remains underexplored for its antimicrobial potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the ethnobotanical uses and scientific investigations of Cistaceae family plants from the Iberian Peninsula.
- To evaluate the potential of these plants as sources for novel antimicrobial crude drugs and active compounds.
- To explore the past, present, and future applications of Cistaceae in combating infectious diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review encompassing ethnobotanical data, pharmacological studies, and chemical analyses of Cistaceae species.
- Analysis of documented traditional uses and scientific evidence for antimicrobial activities.
- Identification of bioactive compounds and their mechanisms of action against pathogens.
Main Results:
- The Cistaceae family has a long history of traditional medicinal use, particularly for inflammatory and infectious conditions.
- Preliminary studies indicate significant antimicrobial activity in various Cistaceae species and their extracts.
- Several bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and diterpenoids, have been isolated and show promise as anti-infectious agents.
Conclusions:
- Medicinal plants from the Cistaceae family represent a valuable, largely untapped resource for the development of new antimicrobial therapies.
- Further research into the Cistaceae family could yield novel drug leads to address the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
- Integrating ethnobotanical knowledge with modern scientific methods is crucial for unlocking the full therapeutic potential of these plants.
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