RESUMO
Abstract The family Amaranthaceae contains a large number of halophytic species. The aim of this paper is to present a review of biologically significant halophytes in the flora of Serbia belonging to this family. This review includes a description of the following 18 species: Atriplex littoralis L., A. rosea L., A. halimus L., Bassia sedoides Pall., B. scoparia (L.) A.J.Scott., B. prostrata (L.) Beck., Beta trigyna W. et K., Camphorosma annua Pall., C. monspeliaca L., Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Ch. polyspermum L., Ch. vulvaria L., Ch. hybridum L., Ch. album L., Ch. rubrum L., Salicornia europaea L., Suaeda maritima (L.) Dum., Salsola soda L. These species are sources of biologically active substances and have a good potential for multi-purpose applications. Most extracts of these species have been found to exhibit biological activities such as antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antiinflammatory and others. The aim of this review is to describe these species including their morphology, distribution, phytochemistry, as well as their use for medicinal and food purposes.
RESUMO
Abstract The genus Stachys includes about 300 cosmopolitan species, making it one of the largest genera of the Lamiaceae family. The purpose of this paper is to present a review of Stachys species in the flora of Serbia among which some species are endemic to the Balkan Peninsula. This review comprises morphological, phytochemical, medicinal and food application of 17 taxa: S. аlopecuros, S. аlpina, S. аnisochila, S. аnnua, S. аtherocalyx, S. cretica subsp. cassia, S. germanica, S. leucoglossa, S. milanii, S. officinalis, S. palustris, S. plumose, S. recta, S. tymphaea, S. scardica, S. serbica, and S. sylvatica. The species of the genus Stachys are rich sources of biologically active substances and well known for their worldwide application. For most of the Stachys species, it has been shown that their extracts possess biological activities such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer. The main goals of this review include the morphological description of species, representation of the major secondary metabolites, and presentation of traditional knowledge in food preparation.