Phytopharmacological properties of Melissa officinalis specimens (Lemon Balm)

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Greetings dear readers and followers of #Hive platform, especially to my friends from @STEMsocial, in this opportunity I will be sharing with all of you biological material related to the main phytopharmacological properties of Melissa officinalis, herbaceous biological resource of easy adaptability to the edapho-climatic conditions of tropical countries, and widely valued for the bioactive effectiveness that its secondary metabolites exert on health.


Introduction


In previous publications, I have mentioned that the vegetable specimens produce a great amount of compounds, being the secondary metabolites coming from the organographic structures as the root, stem, foliar laminae, flowers, fruits and seeds, which when entering the metabolic routes of the human body in low doses, induce phytopharmacological responses, namely; stimulating effects, besides antiviral, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory reactions.

However, it is important to mention that in phytopharmacology these secondary metabolites are known as active principle and basically they are nitrogenous biological compounds from the group of ALCALOIDS, that are extracted from certain plant specimens by the pharmacological industry, to create synthetic copies of equal or greater effectiveness than these organic substances, and that later are usually marketed as drugs to treat various pathological diseases [1].

However, considering the growing interest in phytopharmacology, the objective of this post is to socialize the main phytopharmacological properties of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm), detailing its botanical characterization, phytopharmacological responses, adverse reactions, commercial phytopharmacological profile, and artisanal use of Lemon Balm-based extracts.


Botanical characteristics


Taxonomy and distribution

Melissa officinalis, is a plant species of herbaceous biotype and perennial growth, artificially located in the Division: Magnoliophyta., Class: Magnoliopsida., Order: Lamiales., Family: Lamiaceae, Gender: Melissa and Species: officinalis, whose origin is located in the Eastern Mediterranean region, with distribution essentially in habitats predominantly of eco-temperate regions of Europe, however, exhibits wide adaptability to soil-climate conditions of tropical countries located in South America, among which are Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.

Fig. 2 Young or meristematic leaves of Melissa officinalis. Author: @lupafilotaxia.


Common names

The specimens of Melissa officinalis are generally known as Lemon Balm, although, they also receive multiple vernacular designations, among these the most cited are; Melissa, Lemongrass, and Citronella.


Vegetative and reproductive morphology

The specimens of Melissa officinalis, exhibit the following organographic characteristics; herbaceous stems of quadrangular morphology, pubescent and glandular, peciolated foliar laminae of opposite phyllotaxia, ovate to crenous aspect and jagged margin, flowers of polychromatic coloration fundamentally white, pink and yellow to pale, pentameras and of ovate to bilabiate morphology, fruits type tetraquenio, and small capsular seeds [2] .

Fig. 3 Inflorescence of Melissa officinalis. Author: @lupafilotaxia.


Phytopharmacological responses


Phytometabolites and meristematic structures

Melissa officinalis, or Lemon Balm as it is known in most South American countries, is one of the most widely used plant specimens in Europe, Asia and South America, this due to the activity of anti-viral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic phenolic substances, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins and triterpenoids present in its young or meristematic foliar laminae, however, the main phytometbolite or active principle that has been identified in specimens Melissa officinalis is the Rosmarinic acid, biological compound characterized by its proven antiviral effect [3] .

Rosmarinic acid and viral load reduction

According to researches of experimental and clinical character developed in Asian countries, Rosmarinic Acid present in the young or meristematic foliar laminae of Melissa officinalis, is characterized by reaching positive effects when reducing the viral load of multiple flu pictures, being the reactions of inhibition and reduction of replication of viruses of the genus Enterovirus (Pathogens responsible for major respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases reported in Asian countries), the main responses of greater significance associated with this phytomethabolite present in the lemon balm [4] .

Fig. 4 Terminal bud or new branch of Melissa officinalis. Author: @lupafilotaxia.


Tranquilizing or anxiolytic effect

Besides the antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activity that the secondary metabolites of Melissa officinalis have, researches developed by [5], have demonstrated the effect that these substances have on the modification of the behavior, because the phytomethabolites present in the young foliar laminae or meristematic of the Lemon balm act as tranquilizers, anxiolytics, and at the same time they present sedative action, aspect that in a potential way can be used on behavioral or psychiatric disorders.

Phytopharmacological profile of Melissa officinalis

The phytopharmacological industry has commercially developed phytopharmaceuticals based on substances Melissa officinalis, mainly hard capsules with posology and form of oral administration, with therapeutic indications to calm flu conditions caused by viruses, relieve mild symptoms of mental stress, as well as to counteract mild gastrointestinal conditions.

Handmade use of extracts based on Melissa officinalis

Historically, in Europe, Asia and South America the society influenced by ancestral beliefs has used leaves of Melissa officinalis to elaborate in a handmade way extracts, infusions or teas, especially to calm anxiety, because as it has been previously indicated the phytomethabolites that have the foliar laminae of lemon balm are characterized to produce relaxing effects, on the other hand, these preparations are also used to treat common colds, slight flu affections, headaches, cervical and lumbar.

Adverse reactions

Although the phytomethabolites present in Melissa officinalis show favorable responses to treat conditions caused by multiple pathogens, experimental studies have revealed that prolonged use of these substances can cause serious adverse effects such as fluid retention, gastric problems, and reactions with contraceptive effects [5].


CONTRIBUTIONS OF THIS PUBLICATION


  • The present publication, socializes the main elements and phytopharmacological answers that have been associated in an experimental, clinical and handmade way to the plant specimens of Melissa officinalis, in the search for creating a trend that favors the interest of the readers in the HIVE platform to implement the use of phytopharmaceuticals and preparations based on plant specimens to treat pathological diseases.


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES CONSULTED AND CITED:


[1] Zagrheca S. Libro blanco de los herbolarios y las plantas medicinales. Fundación Salud y Naturaleza. 2007; 176. Article: Online access

[2] Mosquero M. Sobre Melissa officinalis L. Subsp. officinalis en Andalucía Occidental. Acta Botanica Malacitana. 2001; 26: 277-278. Article: Online access

[3] Tóth J., Mrlianová M., Tekeľová D., and Koreňová M. Rosmarinic acid – an important phenolic active compound of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.). Acta Facultatis Pharmaceuticae Universitatis Comenianae. 2003; 50: 139-146. Article: Online access

[4] Sin-Guang. Anti-enterovirus 71 activities of Melissa officinalis extract and its biologically active constituent rosmarinic acid. Scientific Reports. 2017; 7; 12264: 1-16. Article: Online access

[5] Aldave P. Efecto del extracto etanólico de Melissa officinalis (toronjil) en la modificación de la conducta del niño ansioso en la consulta dental. Revista Estomatológica Herediana. 2009; 19; 2: 91-95. Article: Online access

[6] Birdane Y. Anti-inflammatory and Antinociceptive Effects of Melissa officinalis L. in Rodents. Revue Méd. Vét. 2007; 158; 02: 75-81. Article: Online access


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