► Infusion of lemon balm is a source of phenolic compounds. ► Cultivated, in vitro cultured and commercial samples showed similar phenolic profile. ► Rosmarinic acid was the most abundant compound. ► ...Luteolin-3′-O-glucuronide was found in all the samples. ► Dimers, trimmers and tetramers of caffeic acid were identified for the first time.
Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) is normally consumed as an infusion and presents therapeutic properties, such as sedative, carminative and antispasmodic, also being included in some pharmaceutical preparations. The phenolic profiles of different samples of lemon balm, prepared as infusions, were evaluated by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS. The profiles were compared in order to understand the differences between cultivated, in vitro cultured and commercial (bags and granulated) samples. All the samples showed a similar phenolic profile, presenting differences only in the quantities found of each compound. Rosmarinic acid was the most abundant compound, being higher in commercial samples, especially in tea bag sample (55.68mg/g of infusion) and lower in in vitro cultured sample (15.46mg/g). Moreover, dimers, trimers and tetramers of caffeic acid were identified and quantified for the first time in lemon balm. Only one flavonoid, luteolin-3′-O-glucuronide was found in all the samples, ranging from 8.43mg/g in commercial granulate sample to 1.22mg/g in in vitro cultured sample. Overall, cultivated and in vitro cultured samples presented the lowest amounts of phenolic compounds (59.59 and 30.21mg/g, respectively); otherwise, commercial samples showed the highest contents (109.24mg/g for tea bag and 101.03mg/g for granulate sample). The present study shows that infusion of lemon balm can be a source of phenolic compounds, known for their bioactive effects.
Melissa officinalis L. is a medicinal plant that has long been used in different ethno-medical systems especially in the European Traditional Medicine and the Iranian Traditional Medicine for the ...treatment of several diseases. It is also widely used as a vegetable and to add flavor to dishes
This review aimed to provide a summary on the botanical characterization, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of M. officinalis, and discusses research gaps and future opportunities for investigations on this plant.
We extensively reviewed major unpublished old texts, and published and electronic literature on traditional medicines of different regions of the world to find traditional uses of M. officinalis. Electronic databases including Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Scopus were searched to find articles (published between 1956 and 2015) on pharmacology and phytochemistry of M. officinalis.
Traditional uses of M. officinalis have been recorded mostly in European countries, Mediterranean region and Middle East countries. Phytochemical investigations revealed that this plant contains volatile compounds, triterpenoids, phenolic acids and flavonoids. Crude extracts and pure compounds isolated from M. officinalis exhibited numerous pharmacological effects, from which only anxiolytic, antiviral and antispasmodic activities of this plant as well as its effects on mood, cognition and memory have been shown in clinical trials. AChE inhibitory activity, stimulation of the acetylcholine and GABAA receptors, as well as inhibition of matrix metallo proteinase-2 are the main mechanisms proposed for the widely discussed neurological effects of this plant.
Modern pharmacological studies have now validated many traditional uses of M. officinalis. The data reviewed here revealed that M. officinalis is a potential source for the treatment of a wide range of diseases especially anxiety and some other CNS disorders, though confirmatory trials are warranted to substantiate these effects in the clinical setting. Data regarding many aspects of this plant such as mechanisms of actions, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects of the extracts, potential interactions with standard-of-care medications and active compounds is still limited which call for additional studies particularly in humans.
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Two species of Melissa are currently present in Sardinia: Melissa officinalis L. and Melissa romana Mill. Our research can only count on a few supported evidences (as reported in Flora Italiana and ...Moris) and some notes on new stations in Sardinia that give us some information about morphology, distribution, bioecological, and ethnobotanical characteristics of both species. In this paper, we present the results of the research about morphological aspects of M. romana vs. M. officinalis, and their essential oils in different stations at different phenological periods. Moreover, we compared the essential oil of M. romana with the one obtained from M. officinalis growing in the few naturalized stations still present in Sardinia. The most evident morphological differences between the two entities are the long‐stalked capitate glandular trichomes, shorts and inclined capitate trichomes, and peltate hairs. The chemical composition of essential oil presents several significant differences between the species. In fact, oils show that in none of the phenological stages, M. romana recalls in its composition M. officinalis. Major distinctions are also evident between dry and fresh plants, and among essential oils distilled in different seasons.
A Comparative Study on Essential Oil Intraspecific and Seasonal Variations: Melissa romana Mill. and Melissa officinalis L. from Sardinia
M. Usai*, A. D. Atzei, M. Marchetti
Stress priming (pre-exposure of plants to various types of moderate stresses) could affect plant responses to subsequent severe stresses. Drought stress is one of the major threats to plants which ...reduces the global agricultural productions. Here we demonstrated that light emitting diodes (LEDs)-driven tolerant to drought stress in lemon balm plantlets was highly correlated with priming with these lighting sources. Plantlets of the two genotypes of M. officinalis L. were first grown in 4 incubators with different LED lamps, including white LEDs (380–760 nm), blue LEDs (460 nm), red LEDs (650 nm) and red + blue LEDs (70%:30%), in a greenhouse for 4 weeks. The potted plants were then subjected to drought stress. Under drought stress, LED-primed plants maintained significantly higher fresh and dry weight, relative water content (RWC), concentration of soluble sugars, antioxidant activity and higher content of proline, H2O2, abscisic acid (ABA) and rosmarinic acid than non-primed plants. The results of Real-Time RT-PCR confirmed that LED pretreatment up-regulated the expression levels of respiratory burst oxidase homologues (RBOHs) or NADPH oxidase, 9-cis epoxy carotenoid dioxygenase (NCED), and rosmarinic acid synthase (RAS), while down-regulated that of ABA 8′-hydroxylase (ABA8Ox). These findings suggest, for the first time, that pre-treatment of plants with red + blue LEDs could improve their growth and quality under drought stress.
•LED lights enhanced the rosmarinic acid (RA) in lemon balm.•Red + Blue LED light enhanced RA and antioxidant activity under drought stress.•ABA and H2O2 are key factors in Red + Blue light-induced resistance to drought stress.
Recent evidence indicates a beneficial effect of Melissa officinalis (MO) intake on several chronic diseases. However, the effects of MO intake have not yet been systematically reviewed. Therefore, ...we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effect of MO intake and focused on several cardiometabolic outcomes. MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for MO‐RCTs evaluating cardiometabolic outcomes. Random‐effects meta‐analyses estimated the pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) between intervention and control groups. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias in RCTs. Seven RCTs were finally deemed eligible. MO intake was associated with a reduced total cholesterol (TC) (SMD: −0.26; 95% CI: −0.52, −0.01; I2 = 13.7%; k = 6) and a reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) (SMD: −0.56; 95% CI: −0.85, −0.27; I2 = 00.0%; k = 3). MO intake was not associated with statistically significant changes in triglycerides, low‐density lipoprotein, diastolic blood pressure, high sensitivity c‐reactive protein levels, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, insulin or high‐density lipoprotein levels. No serious adverse events were reported. The risk of bias was high in a considerable amount of studies. Our study suggests that MO is a safe supplement with beneficial effects on TC and SBP. However, the findings of our study must be seen in the light of major limitations such as a low number of included studies and a serious risk of bias. High‐quality RCTs are needed for firm conclusions concerning the effects of MO on cardiometabolic outcomes.
The total phenolic content and related total antioxidant capacity of 70 medicinal plant infusions was analyzed. Infusions were prepared in common way in which teas are prepared for human consumption. ...The total phenolics were measured by Folin–Ciocalteau assay. The total antioxidant capacity was estimated by Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. To make practical comparison of relative antioxidant potential of phenolics extracted from selected medicinal plants, the phenol antioxidant coefficient (PAC) was calculated for each infusion. The total phenolic content of medicinal plant infusions ranges from 9 to 2218
mg/L. The FRAP range from 0.06 to 25
mM/L. There was significant linear correlation between total phenolic content and FRAP. According to their antioxidant capacity, 70 medicinal plant extracts can be divided in five groups: (a) very low FRAP (<1
mM/L)
n
=
9; (b) low FRAP (1–5
mM/L),
n
=
37; (c) good FRAP (5–10
mM/L),
n
=
15; (d) high FRAP (10–20
mM/L),
n
=
8; and (e) very high FRAP (>20
mM/L),
n
=
1 medicinal plant extract. The PAC was ranging from 1.1 to 3.9 (average 2.4). The best results were obtained for
Melissae folium infusions: high phenolic concentration, very high FRAP (>20
mM/L) and PAC
>
3. The effect of infusion time and infusion temperature on the phenolic content, FRAP, and free radical scavenging ability was tested. DPPH radical scavenging ability of
Melissae folium phenolics was similar to (+)-catechin but not as good as for quercetin. Compared to Trolox and vitamin C,
Melissae folium phenolics were more efficient free ABTS radical scavengers. The results indicate that
Melissae folium infusions could be an important dietary source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant capacity comparable with red wine or beverages like tea.
Previous in vitro and in vivo studies on Alzheimer's disease (AD) models have reported that rosmarinic acid (RA) can inhibit the formation of amyloid-β fibrils as well as the oligomerization and ...deposition of amyloid-β protein. Melissa officinalis (M. officinalis) extract containing 500 mg of RA is tolerable and safe in healthy individuals and patients with mild AD dementia.
This randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial aimed to assess the effects of M. officinalis extract on cognition in older adults without dementia.
This study included individuals who were diagnosed with subjective or mild cognitive impairment (n = 323). The trial involved M. officinalis extract supplementation (500 mg of RA per day) period of 96 weeks followed by a washout period of 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale score, and the secondary endpoints were other cognitive measure results as well as safety and tolerability.
There were no significant differences in cognitive measures between the placebo and M. officinalis groups from baseline to 96 weeks. However, based on the analysis of Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes scores in participants without hypertension, the score was found to be increased by 0.006 and decreased by 0.085 in the M. officinalis and placebo groups, respectively; this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.036). Furthermore, there were no differences in vital signs, physical and neurological measures, or hippocampal volume between the two groups.
These results indicate that M. officinalis extract may help prevent cognitive decline in older adults without hypertension.
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