Review article
Chemical Variability and Biological Activities of Volatile Oils from Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit.
Luiz Claudio Almeida Barbosa
; Federal University of Minas Gerais, Department of Chemistry, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Campus Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Federal University of Viçosa, Chemistry Department, Av. P.H. Rolfs, s/n, 36570000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
Felipe Terra Martins
; Federal University of Alfenas, Pharmacy Department, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 714, 37130000 Alfenas, MG, Brazil
Róbson Ricardo Teixeira
; Federal University of Viçosa, Chemistry Department, Av. P.H. Rolfs, s/n, 36570000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
Marcelo Polo
; Federal University of Alfenas, Pharmacy Department, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 714, 37130000 Alfenas, MG, Brazil
Ricardo Marques Montanari
; Federal University of Minas Gerais, Department of Chemistry, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Campus Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Abstract
Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is widely used in folk medicine in various countries. Th e essential oils from H. suaveolens have been extensively investigated and are mainly composed of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, although significant diterpene content has been reported in recent studies. The survey of the literature concerning H. suaveolens essential oils revealed a high level of chemical variability in terms of quantity and composition that is commonly observed for volatile oils from other plant species. However, few researchers have dealt with the reasons for such chemical variability. Our research group has been investigating the relationships between growing conditions of the plants and the H. suaveolens (L.) Poit. essential oil composition. The results of these investigations have led to some advances in the characterization and knowledge of H. suaveolens chemotypes from Brazil. Nevertheless, since this species presents high level of genetic polymorphism and allows it to adapt to the alterations in environmental features resulting in interpopulational and intrapopulational variability in the volatile oil chemical compositions. Consequently, biochemical assays on the biosynthetic pathway are required in order to detect the molecular mechanisms involved in inducing differential terpenoid biosynthesis within H. suaveolens. These are some of the challenges which require resolution leading to an understanding of the complex secondary metabolism of this species, thereby making possible the volatile oil chemical standardization seeking productivity and phytotherapy.
Keywords
Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit.; essential oil; chemical variability
Hrčak ID:
99315
URI
Publication date:
27.3.2013.
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