Georgian Medicinal Plants as Rich Natural Sources of Antioxidant Derivatives: A Review on the Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

Abstract

The study of antioxidants is of pivotal importance in biomedicine as these molecules could be involved in biological pathways associated with disease. The identification of new antioxidants together with the acquisition of a deeper knowledge on their biology, could lead to the use of these compounds as drugs for innovative treatments. Plants are an important source of phytodrugs that in many cases can be isolated with good extraction yields directly from the vegetal source and are often endowed with a low toxicity profile. Georgia, a country situated on the Black Sea coast in the Caucasus region at the intersection of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, is renowned for its unique woodland habitats and immense biological diversity due to the great variety of climate zones and landscapes. Many wild plants in the area are used as remedies for a number of illnesses in the local traditional medicine. However, the scientific knowledge of these sources of natural drugs and of their molecular components is still far from exhaustive. Therefore, with the present work we reviewed the scientific literature on some of the main Georgian medicinal plants and found that several species are a valuable source of hydrophilic and hydrophobic antioxidants, endowed in some cases with a high ROS-scavenging ability. The analysis of the literature also demonstrated that most of the medicinal extracts and compounds isolated from these plants are beneficial in suppressing multiple diseases in vitro. This review will provide information for scientists looking to develop secure plant-based pharmaceuticals as well as a rationale for using Georgian medicinal plants for the treatment of a range of diseases.

Antimicrobial Metabolites of Caucasian Medicinal Plants as Alternatives to Antibiotics

“…These indicators were used in this study to compare the antibacterial and antifungal activity of Caucasian medicinal plants. In particular, the anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties of Caucasian medicinal plants were demonstrated [ 73 ]. The WHO has identified the discovery of novel antibacterial drugs to combat multidrug-resistant ESKAPE pathogens ( Enterococcus faecium , Staphylococcus aureus , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Acinetobacter baumannii , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Enterobacter species) as a top priority.…”

“…As was discussed above, plants produce a variety of secondary metabolites, such as phenolic compounds, terpenes, saponins, alkaloids, and sulfur-containing compounds. These compounds have been used since ancient times in folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases [ 73 ]. Since phytochemicals can act via different mechanisms or target sites different from those of antibiotics, their use either alone or in combination with antibiotics can be efficient for the suppression of bacterial resistance [ 11 ].…”

Quality Evaluation of Lonicerae Flos Produced in Southwest China Based on HPLC Analysis and Antioxidant Activity

“…Medicinal plants are regarded as a readily accessible and powerful source of antioxidants due to their diverse chemical compounds, which can operate independently or synergistically to treat diseases and enhance health. [ 28 ]. The antioxidant activity of L. macranthoides is attributed to its ability to scavenge free radicals, which are involved in developing various diseases [ 29 ].…”