Using Medicinal Plants in Valmalenco (Italian Alps): From Tradition to Scientific Approaches

Abstract

This ethnobotanical survey was carried out in Caspoggio (Valmalenco, SO, Italy) with the purpose of investigating the traditional uses of medicinal plants. Moreover, a bibliographic research meant to validate or refute the uses, focusing on the potentially responsible compounds, was performed. Fifty-nine species, attributable to 30 families (Asteraceae, Pinaceae, Malvaceae, and Lamiaceae the most cited), were mentioned. Arnica montana, anti-inflammatory for traumas and musculoskeletal pains; Pinus mugo, expectorant; Malva sylvestris, anti-inflammatory and soothing; Achillea moschata, digestive. The compounds, responsible for the therapeutic activities, are often polyphenols and terpenoids: helenanin in A. montana, α-pinene, δ-3-carene, and limonene in P. mugo, gossypin and malvin in M. sylvestris, luteolin and apigenin in A. moschata. Scientific evidence for at least one of the traditional activities described was found for 50 species but only in 26 out of 196 works consulted, it is possible to make a comparison between investigated extracts and traditional preparations. This study is thus a stimulus to new phytochemical investigations, mimicking as much as possible the traditional preparations. This work is part of the European Interreg Italy-Switzerland B-ICE project, aimed at creating a management model for the ongoing climate change and searching for new sources of territory valorization as attractions for tourists.

Prediction of Natural Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted by Bamboo Groves in Urban Forests

“…Since there are not many studies that calculate the exact amount of each compound of NVOCs in bamboo groves, it is challenging to compare measured values of this study with other bamboo grove-related prior studies but, compared to prior studies that measured NVOCs emitted by different types of forests with the same measurement methods, the amount of NVOC compounds detected in this study was found to be similar or higher than the values of preceding studies [28,29]. In particular, α-pinene, 3-carene, and camphene accounted for 70% of the total emissions, with α-pinene known to have anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiproliferative effects, while 3-carene is known to improve inflammatory conditions [14,[30][31][32][33]. Finally, camphene was found to have antiproliferative, antioxidant, antinociceptive, and antihyperlipidemic effects, along with the ability to enhance metabolic activities [34][35][36].…”

Prediction of Natural Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted by Bamboo Groves in Urban Forests

“…The above five substances have also been shown to be the main components of NVOC in several prior studies. In particular, α-pinene, 3-carene and camphene accounted for 70% of the total emissions, with α-pinene known to have anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiproliferative effects, and 3-carene is known to improve inflammatory conditions [13,[26][27][28][29]. Finally, camphene was found to have an antiproliferative, antioxidant, antinociceptive, and antihyperlipidemic effects, and also can enhance metabolism activities [30][31][32].…”

Non-pharmacological remedies for post-viral acute cough

“…Plantain belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. It contains polysaccharides and polyphenols with antibiotic activity (122). Plantain leaves contain iridoid glycosides, flavonoids (luteolin), mucilage, tannins, pectins, and salic acid.…”