So Uncommon and so Singular, but Underexplored: An Updated Overview on Ethnobotanical Uses, Biological Properties and Phytoconstituents of Sardinian Endemic Plants

Abstract

The last decades have recorded an increase of plant-based drug discovery processes. Indeed, natural products possess a superior chemical diversity as compared to synthetic ones, leading to a renewal in searching for new therapeutic agents from the plant kingdom. In particular, since the structural variety of natural compounds reflects the biodiversity of their source organisms, regions of the world with high biodiversity and endemism deserve particular interest. In this context, Sardinia Island (Italy), with 290 endemic taxa (12% of the total flora), is expected to provide unique and structurally diverse phytochemicals for drug development. Several research groups built up a large program dedicated to the analysis of Sardinian endemic species, highlighting their peculiar features, both in respect of phytochemical and biological profiles. On this basis, the aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive overview on ethnobotanical uses, biological properties and phytoconstituents of Sardinian endemic plants in order to support their beneficial potential and to provide input for future investigations. We documented 152 articles published from 1965 to June 2020 in which a broad range of biological activities and the identification of previously undescribed compounds have been reported, supporting their great value as sources of therapeutic agents.

Plants with Antimicrobial Activity Growing in Italy: A Pathogen-Driven Systematic Review for Green Veterinary Pharmacology Applications

“…Cinnamomum [60]; Cinnamomum camphora (L.) [45]; Cistus monspeliensis L. [61]; Cistus salviifolius L. [61]; Cytinus hypocistis (L.) L. [62]; Limonium morisianum Arrigoni [63]; Myrtus communis L. [64]; Origanum vulgare L. [65]; Pistacia lentiscus L. [66]; Pistacia terebinthus L. [67]; Rosmarinus officinalis L. [68]; Salvia officinalis L. [69]; Thymus herba-barona Loise L. [70]; Thymus vulgaris L. [71]; Inula crithmoides [72];…”

Characterization of Essential Oils from Different Taxa Belonging to the Genus Teucrium in Sardinia Island, Italy

“…12% are endemic of the Sardinian–Corsican biogeographic province [ 18 ], it represents one of the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspots [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. This endemic richness is attributable to the long geological history and geographical isolation, in addition to the high geomorphological diversity [ 21 , 22 , 23 ], and it could represent a great source of phytoconstituents, often unique and structurally diverse, due to adaptation to the local environment [ 24 ]. Out of Sardinian Teucrium taxa, the following eight native and spontaneous taxa were selected in this study: T. capitatum L. subsp.…”

Chemical Characterization and Anti-HIV-1 Activity Assessment of Iridoids and Flavonols from Scrophularia trifoliata

“…Scrophularia trifoliata L. is an endemic plant of Sardinia, which is known to be used in traditional medical practices of the island for the treatment of different diseases, such as skin disorders and rheumatism [ 16 ]. Despite these traditional uses, to the best of our knowledge, to date only one phytochemical study on S. trifoliata has been reported [ 17 ].…”

“…These findings motivated the investigation of S. trifoliata , based on two interesting considerations. Despite its acceptance and documented uses as antinflammatory, antirheumatic, diuretic, vulnerary, and anthelmintic among Sardinian inhabitants, it is a species underexplored [ 16 ], indeed, only one phytochemical study has been reported until now [ 17 ]. However, overall S. trifoliata is a plant of endemic Sardinian flora and some of Sardinian endemism have shown peculiar specialized metabolites patterns [ 18 ].…”

“…However, overall S. trifoliata is a plant of endemic Sardinian flora and some of Sardinian endemism have shown peculiar specialized metabolites patterns [ 18 ]. Such chemical diversity could be due to geographical isolation, which generates genetic and metabolic differentiation [ 16 ]. In fact, chemical composition is peculiar for Sardinian vegetation in respect to the plants growing in the Italian peninsula and some of Sardinian endemism plants highlighted also very interesting biological and pharmacological activities as already documented in literature data [ 19 , 20 ].…”