A Critical Overview on the Pharmacological and Clinical Aspects of Popular Satureja Species

Abstract

Throughout the world, various parts of most Satureja species are traditionally used to treat patients with various diseases and complications. As for the presence of different classes of metabolites in Satureja and their numerous ethnomedical and ethnopharmacological applications, many species have been pharmacologically evaluated. The current work aimed to compile information from pharmacological studies on this savory for further investigations. The keyword Satureja was searched through Scopus and PubMed up to January 1, 2016. We found nearly 55 papers that dealt with the pharmacology of Satureja. We found that 13 species had been evaluated pharmacologically and that Satureja khuzestanica, Satureja bachtiarica, Satureja montana and Satureja hortensis appeared to be the most active, both clinically and phytopharmacologically. Regarding the content of rich essential oil, most evaluations were concerned with the antimicrobial properties. However, the antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticholesterolemic properties of the studied species were found to be good. In addition to the pharmacological activities that have been indentified for some species, opportunities still exist to assess the effectiveness of other well-known species. If different Satureja species are to have extensive ethnopharmacological applications, comprehensive assessments of the acute and chronic toxicities, as well as the teratogenicity, of those plants are needed.

Satureja montana L. Essential Oils: Chemical Profiles/Phytochemical Screening, Antimicrobial Activity and O/W NanoEmulsion Formulations

“…A recent review reports some application of extract and EO nanoformulations with remarkable advantages over conventional ones, such as increased solubility and stability, higher permeation rate, better bioavailability, and sustained release [2]. The genus Satureja contains about 200 species of aromatic and medicinal herbs [3], which spontaneously grow in the Middle East and Mediterranean European regions, West Asia, North Africa, and South America [4]. Particularly, Satureja montana (f. Lamiaceae, sf.…”

“…Recently, natural substances such as essential oils have attracted the attention of researchers due to their great beneficial effects [12,13]. Moreover, it has been estimated that the SEO yield from the fresh plant can exceed 5% [3], revealing a high biological potential. The volatile fraction is mainly characterized by oxygenated monoterpenes, e.g., thymol and carvacrol, whose amount can be assumed as an indicator of the antimicrobial activity [14], and both open-chain and monocyclic monoterpenes with an allelopathic effect [15].…”

Chemical composition, acute and sub-acute toxicity of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil in mice

“…S. khuzestanica (SK) is a remedial plant that is frequently grown in various parts of Iran such as Lorestan Province, West of Iran (4). Different parts of SK such as root, leaves, and branches have been broadly applied as analgesic, anti-diarrhea, and antiseptic in the folk medicine (5). Furthermore, a range of pharmacological activities including antioxidant, antiinflammatory, hepatoprotective and antimicrobial have been related to this plant (5-11).…”

VARIATION IN WINTER SAVORY (Satureja montana L.) YIELD AND ESSENTIAL OIL PRODUCTION AS AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT PLANT DENSITY AND NUMBER OF HARVESTS

“…The plant produces brown woody stems, glossy, dark green leaves and lavender/white flowers [Lippert and Podlech 1989]. The aromatic savory herb, collected from natural sites and from cultivated plants, is valued in traditional medicine in many countries of the world [Momtaz and Abdollahi 2008, Jafari et al 2016, Nurzyńska-Wierdak 2016. Modern research reveals that extracts and essential oil from the savory herb can be considered to be natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agents that can be used in food production [Serrano et al 2011, Fathi et al 2013Yield of medicinal and aromatic plants is modified by many genetic, ontogenetic and environmental factors [Farahani et al 2009, Said-Al Ahl andHussien 2016].…”

“…There are many studies on winter savory which are primarily focused on the chemical composition and biological activity of its raw material [Bezić et al 2005, Ibraliu et al 2010, Serrano et al 2010, Ćavar et al 2013, Miladi et al 2013, Jafari et al 2016. Only few papers report results regarding agronomic factors that optimize yield of winter savory plants [Dudaš et al 2013, Said-Al Ahl andHussien 2016].…”