Prevenção da infecção hospitalar
Alves, João
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Globally, climate change and wildfires are disrupting natural ecosystems, thus setting
several endemic species at risk. The genus Lavandula is widely present in the Mediterranean region
and its species, namely, those included in the section Stoechas, are valuable resources of active
compounds with several biological assets. Since ancient times lavenders have been used in traditional
medicine and for domestic purposes. These species are melliferous, decorative, and essential oilproducing plants with a high economic interest in the pharmaceutical, flavor, fragrance, and food
industries. The essential oils of Lavandula section Stoechas are characterized by high amounts of
1,8-cineole, camphor, fenchone, and specifically for L. stoechas subsp. luisieri one of the major
compounds is trans-α-necrodyl acetate. On the other hand, the diversity of non-volatile components
like phenolic compounds, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids, make these species an important
source of phytochemicals with pharmacological interest. Rosmarinic, caffeic, and salvianolic B acids
are the major phenolic acids, and luteolin and eriodictyol-O-glucuronide are the main reported
flavonoids. However, the concentration of these secondary metabolites is strongly affected by
the plant’s phenological phase and varies in Lavandula sp. from different areas of origin. Indeed,
lavender extracts have shown promising antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer
properties as well as several other beneficial actions with potential for commercial applications.
Despite several studies on the bioactive potential of lavenders from the section Stoechas, a systematized
and updated review of their chemical profile is lacking. Therefore, we carried out the present review
that gathers relevant information on the different types of secondary metabolites found in these
species as well as their bioactive potential.
