<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><italic>Galium verum L</italic>. and <italic>Galium mollugo</italic> L. are perennial herbaceous plants, belonging to the <italic>Rubiaceae</italic> family. Several classes of bioactive compounds, such as iridoid glycosides, phenolic compounds, anthraquinones and triterpenes, as well as small amounts of tannins, saponins, essential oils have been isolated from <italic>Galium</italic> species so far. Plants belonging to this genus have a long history of use in a traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases and conditions. The main application of <italic>G. verum</italic> is as diuretic, choleretic and as the treatment for gout and epilepsy. On the other hand, <italic>G. mollugo</italic> has been used to treat hysteria, epilepsy, as vulnerary. Over the past decades, numerous papers have been published referring to the chemical constituents presented in <italic>G. verum</italic> and <italic>G. mollugo</italic> extracts. Additionally, chemical composition and pharmacological effects of <italic>G. verum</italic> have been investigated, however data related to the effects of <italic>G. mollugo</italic> is limited. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of <italic>G. verum and G. mollugo</italic>. Finally, we proposed directions for future research in this field, which can improve our understanding of the potential health benefits of <italic>Galium</italic> species.</p></abstract>

Galium verum L. and Galium mollugo L. are perennial herbaceous plants, belonging to the Rubiaceae family. Several classes of bioactive compounds, such as iridoid glycosides, phenolic compounds, anthraquinones and triterpenes, as well as small amounts of tannins, saponins, essential oils have been isolated from Galium species so far. Plants belonging to this genus have a long history of use in a traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases and conditions. The main application of G. verum is as diuretic, choleretic and as the treatment for gout and epilepsy. On the other hand, G. mollugo has been used to treat hysteria, epilepsy, as vulnerary. Over the past decades, numerous papers have been published referring to the chemical constituents presented in G. verum and G. mollugo extracts. Additionally, chemical composition and pharmacological effects of G. verum have been investigated, however data related to the effects of G. mollugo is limited. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of G. verum and G. mollugo. Finally, we proposed directions for future research in this field, which can improve our understanding of the potential health benefits of Galium species.

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Some Species of the Genus <italic>Galium L. (Galium verum and mollugo)</italic>

University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences

Experimental and Applied Biomedical Research (EABR)

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Some Species of the Genus 

Galium verum L. and Galium mollugo L. are perennial herbaceous plants, belonging to the Rubiaceae family. Several classes of bioactive compounds, such as...

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Some Species of the Genus Galium L. (Galium verum and mollugo)

Published Online: Dec 30, 2021

Page range: 187 - 193

Received: Oct 10, 2017

Accepted: Oct 29, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sjecr-2017-0057

Keywords
biological activity, chemical composition

© 2021 Jovana Bradic et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Some Species of the Genus Galium L. (Galium verum and mollugo)

Published Online: Dec 30, 2021

Page range: 187 - 193

Received: Oct 10, 2017

Accepted: Oct 29, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sjecr-2017-0057

Keywordsbiological activity, chemical composition

© 2021 Jovana Bradic et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
biological activity, chemical composition