Secondary metabolites from endangered Gentiana, Gentianella, Centaurium, and Swertia species (Gentianaceae): promising natural biotherapeutics

Abstract

Gentianaceae have a long history of use as traditional remedies for treatment of various ailments. The medicinal properties of crude herbal drug are attributed to bitter glycosides, flavonoids, and xanthones, the main plant secondary metabolites. These plant-derived molecules, especially naturally occurring xanthones, possess a broad spectrum of bioactivity like anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, cardio-protective. The most of Gentianaceae species are rare and endangered by uncontrolled overharvesting and influences of various environmental factors (habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species spreading). Decline of Gentianaceae species poses a high risk to the loss of enormous diversity of potentially bioactive compounds. In this chapter we will summarize pharmacological activities of identified secondary metabolites from endangered species belonging to four Gentianaceae genera (Gentiana, Gentianella, Centaurium, Swertia), as well as importance of biodiversity conservation in context of their biotherapeutic potential.