New insights into the biotechnology and therapeutic potential of<i>Lippia alba</i>(Mill.) N.E.Br. ex P. Wilson
Sonia Malik, Samuel Wale Odeyemi, Glaucia C. Pereira, Luciano Mamede de Freitas, Hazandy Abdul Hamid, Narges Atabaki, Abdullah Makhzoum, Eduardo Bezerra de Almeida, John Barr Dewar, Rambod Abiri
Abstract
Lippia alba, commonly known as Bushy Matgrassis a well-known traditional herb. Besides being used as a food supplement, for seasoning and as a drink, this plant species possess several pharmacological properties, allowing its use in folk medicines to treat various diseases, especially those related to digestive and respiratory conditions. These properties are mainly attributed to the presence of compounds such as myrcene, linalool, β-ocimene, α-guaiene, germacrene, carvone, limonene, eucalyptol, camphor, caryophyllene, neral, geranial and piperitone in the essential oils of L. alba. Variation in essential oil components and the high phenotypical plasticity of L. alba provide a strong evidence of an exciting high number of chemotypes in this aromatic herb. In the current review, we report the botanical, geographical and ecological features of L. alba. In addition, chemical composition of essential oil is addressed followed by in vitro and high efficiency micropropagation protocols. Finally, the therapeutic potential of L. alba against important non-communicable diseases is discussed.