Morphology, Palynology and Phytochemicals of Medicinal Plants
Department of Life Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
Horticulturae 2024, 10(3), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10030202
Submission received: 14 February 2024
/
Accepted: 18 February 2024
/
Published: 22 February 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Morphology, Palynology and Phytochemicals of Medicinal Plants)
The study of plant morphology and palynology not only enhances our understanding of plant biology, but also provides insights into the evolutionary adaptations and ecological dynamics that contribute to the medicinal properties of plants [1]. This Special Issue focuses on filling the gaps in existing research on medicinal plants by investigating new phytochemicals, changes in morphology and palynology across various plant families, and utilizing both traditional and sophisticated techniques for plant identification and analysis.
In both traditional and contemporary medicine, phytochemicals, which are the naturally occurring molecules that are produced by plants, play a key role [2,3]. The phytochemical study of a variety of medicinal plants is investigated in depth in this Special Issue, which aims to identify the molecules that are responsible for the beneficial effects that these plants have on human health. The great potential of plants as sources of new medications and therapies is highlighted by the wide variety of phytochemicals [4]. These phytochemicals range from anti-inflammatory compounds to antioxidant mediators [5].
Additionally, the relevance of integrative techniques in botanical research is highlighted in this Special Issue. Researchers can acquire a more comprehensive understanding of medicinal plants if they combine studies of plant morphology, palynology, and phytochemicals. It is essential to have this all-encompassing approach to investigate the entire potential of these plants, not only as possible sources of novel medications, but also as essential components in sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and world health [6,7]. Furthermore, the studies that are provided in this Special Issue highlight the significance of biodiversity for the research that is conducted in various medical fields. There are a variety of phytochemicals that are found in each plant species, and these phytochemicals have the potential to provide answers to some of the most important health problems that exist today. When viewed in this way, this Special Issue serves as a rallying cry for the preservation of plant diversity, bringing to our attention the intricate linkages that exist between the health of our planet and the well-being of the people who live on it.
When it comes to the multidisciplinary approach to the study of medicinal plants, this Special Issue represents a significant step forward. By doing so, it provides significant insights into the intricate relationship that exists between the chemical and physical properties of these plants, as well as the possible health advantages that they may bring. Not only does it demonstrate the significance of conducting an extensive study to unravel the mysteries that plants conceal, but it also shows the way for future discoveries that have the potential to completely transform the area of horticulture. This Special Issue is a goldmine of knowledge, inspiration, and hope for the future of health and healing, and it is a treasure trove for all those who are interested in the field, including practitioners, enthusiasts, and scientists.
Conflicts of Interest
The author declares no conflicts of interest.
List of Contributions
This Special Issue features 15 research articles and one review article, offering a comprehensive exploration of the structural, genetic, and chemical diversity of medicinal plants. These contributions delve into various aspects, such as the effects of light on plant metabolism, detailed morphological and anatomical studies, and the phytochemical composition affecting medicinal properties. The Guest Editors would like to thank every author for sharing their knowledge, and for providing engaging research findings in this Special Issue. Additionally, they express gratitude to Horticulturae for its invaluable assistance in making this Special Issue a reality.
- Balilashaki, K.; Martinez-Montero, M.E.; Vahedi, M.; Cardoso, J.C.; Silva Agurto, C.L.; Leiva-Mora, M.; Feizi, F.; Musharof Hossain, M. Medicinal Use, Flower Trade, Preservation and Mass Propagation Techniques of Cymbidium Orchids—An Overview. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 690. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9060690.
- Gangaram, S.; Naidoo, Y.; Dewir, Y.H.; Singh, M.; Magyar-Tábori, K. Micromorphology of Barleria albostellata (Grey Barleria) Flower and Pollen Grains. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 732. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9070732.
- Idris, N.S.; Khandaker, M.M.; Rashid, Z.M.; Majrashi, A.; Alenazi, M.M.; Adnan, A.F.; Mahmud, K.; Mat, N. Discrimination of Syzygium samarangense cv. ‘Giant Green’ Leaves at Different Maturity Stages by FTIR and GCMS Fingerprinting. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 609. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9050609.
- Idris, N.S.; Khandaker, M.M.; Rashid, Z.M.; Majrashi, A.; Alenazi, M.M.; Nor, Z.M.; Mohd Adnan, A.F.; Mat, N. Polyphenolic Compounds and Biological Activities of Leaves and Fruits of Syzygium samarangense cv. ‘Giant Green’ at Three Different Maturities. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 326. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9030326.
- Kalendar, O.V.; Kostikova, V.A.; Kukushkina, T.A.; Erst, A.S.; Kuznetsov, A.A.; Kulikovskiy, M.S.; Vasilyeva, O.Y. Seasonal Development of Paeonia obovata and Paeonia oreogeton and Their Contents of Biologically Active and Reserve Substances in the Forest-Steppe Zone of Western Siberia. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 102. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9010102.
- Khan, S.; Al-Qurainy, F.; Al-hashimi, A.; Nadeem, M.; Tarroum, M.; Salih, A.M.; Shaikhaldein, H.O. Comparative Study on Genome Size and Phytochemical Profile of Three Potential Species of Acacia: Threatened and Endemic to Saudi Arabia. Horticulturae 2022, 8, 994. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8110994.
- Lee, G.O.; Jang, S.-N.; Kim, M.J.; Cho, D.Y.; Cho, K.M.; Lee, J.H.; Son, K.-H. Comparison of Growth Patterns and Metabolite Composition of Different Ginseng Cultivars (Yunpoong and K-1) Grown in a Vertical Farm. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 583. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9050583.
- Lee, S.Y.; Kwon, H.; Kim, J.K.; Park, C.H.; Sathasivam, R.; Park, S.U. Comparative Analysis of Glucosinolate and Phenolic Compounds in Green and Red Kimchi Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) Hairy Roots after Exposure to Light and Dark Conditions. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 466. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9040466.
- McVea, H.M.; Wood, L.J. Anatomical and Chemical Analysis of Moringa oleifera Stem Tissue Grown under Controlled Conditions. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 213. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020213.
- Parmar, G.; Zaman, W. Trichomes’ Micromorphology and Their Evolution in Selected Species of Causonis (Vitaceae). Horticulturae 2022, 8, 877. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8100877.
- Tuncay, H.O.; Akalın, E.; Doğru-Koca, A.; Eruçar, F.M.; Miski, M. Two New Ferula (Apiaceae) Species from Central Anatolia: Ferula turcica and Ferula latialata. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 144. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020144.
- Wu, Q.; Ye, R.; Duan, J.; Lin, D.; Jia, Y.; Dang, F.; Han, T. Physiological, Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Response of Basil (O. basilicum Linn. var. pilosum (Willd.) Benth.) to Red and Blue Light. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 1172. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9111172.
- Wu, Z.; Li, Z.; Feng, W.; Meng, R.; Wang, X.; Wu, C. The Breeding of High-Quality Dandelions by NaCl Induced Callus Variation Combined with a Drosophila Tumor Cell Migration Test. Horticulturae 2022, 8, 1167. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8121167.
- Yang, S.; Choi, G.; Song, J.-H. Morphology, Anatomy, Micromorphology, and Palynology of the Squirrel’s Foot Fern, Davallia mariesii (Davalliaceae). Horticulturae 2023, 9, 939. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9080939.
- Zemouri, T.; Chikhoune, A.; Benmouhoub, H.; Sahnoune, M. Taxonomic Comparison, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Three Ebenus pinnata Ait. ecotypes (Fabaceae) from Algeria. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 879. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9080879.
- Zhang, D.; Xie, A.; Yang, X.; Shi, Y.; Yang, L.; Dong, L.; Lei, F.; Wu, J.; Sun, X. Study of 15 Varieties of Herbaceous Peony Pollen Submicroscopic Morphology and Phylogenetic Relationships. Horticulturae 2022, 8, 1161. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8121161.
References
- Zamira, D.; Khaydarov, K.; Zafar, M.; Ramadan, M.F.; Ahmad, M.; Aziza, N.; Ochilov, U.; Zebiniso, U.; Farzona, D. Comprehensive study of allergenic tree species: Palynological insights enhanced by HPLC and GC–MS profiling. Biomed. Chromatogr. 2023, 38, e5774. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- George, B.P.; Chandran, R.; Abrahamse, H. Role of phytochemicals in cancer chemoprevention: Insights. Antioxidants 2021, 10, 1455. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Süntar, I. Importance of ethnopharmacological studies in drug discovery: Role of medicinal plants. Phytochem. Rev. 2020, 19, 1199–1209. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kaushik, J.; Kundu, N. Phytochemical screening, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activity of polyphenolic flavonoids isolated from fruit of ananas comosus in various solvents. Int. J. Sci. Res. Publ. 2018, 8, 31–55. [Google Scholar]
- Dhanani, T.; Shah, S.; Gajbhiye, N.A.; Kumar, S. Effect of extraction methods on yield, phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity of Withania somnifera. Arab. J. Chem. 2017, 10, S1193–S1199. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Harwood, R.R. A history of sustainable agriculture. In Sustainable Agricultural Systems; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2020; pp. 3–19. [Google Scholar]
- Smith, W. Understanding the changing role of global public health in biodiversity conservation. Ambio 2022, 51, 485–493. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2024 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
MDPI and ACS Style
Zaman, W. Morphology, Palynology and Phytochemicals of Medicinal Plants. Horticulturae 2024, 10, 202. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10030202
AMA Style
Zaman W. Morphology, Palynology and Phytochemicals of Medicinal Plants. Horticulturae. 2024; 10(3):202. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10030202
Chicago/Turabian StyleZaman, Wajid. 2024. "Morphology, Palynology and Phytochemicals of Medicinal Plants" Horticulturae 10, no. 3: 202. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10030202
Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.
