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Chapter 2 Methods of obtaining drugs from medicinal and aromatic plants 113
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Fatemeh Ahmadi✶, Maximilian Lackner, and August Starzinger
Chapter 3 Challenges encountered in growing medicinal and aromatic plants
Abstract: Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are invaluable resources, widely uti-
lized across diverse industries, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture, and food production, due to their rich composition of bioactive compounds such as alka­loids, terpenoids, and phenolics. These compounds possess potent medicinal properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, mak­ing them essential in the health and wellness sectors. Despite their economic and thera­peutic significance, the cultivation of MAPs presents multifaceted challenges. Environ­mental stresses, including salinity, drought, heat, and soil pH imbalances, significantly affect their growth, metabolism, and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, which are critical for their bioactivity. This chapter provides a comprehensive analysis of the physiological and biochemical responses of MAPs to various abiotic stresses, highlight­ing the intricate mechanisms plants use to adapt and survive under unfavorable condi­tions. It explores the role of stress in modulating secondary metabolite production, often enhancing their concentration but at the potential cost of biomass yield. Addition­ally, the chapter delves into the industrial applications of MAP-derived compounds, em­phasizing their importance in pharmaceuticals for drug development, cosmetics for nat­ural formulations, and agriculture for eco-friendly pest and disease management solutions. Strategies for mitigating challenges in MAP cultivation are discussed, includ­ing integrated pest management, sustainable soil and water management practices, and the optimization of light intensity. Emerging technologies such as precision agriculture, genetic and epigenetic modifications, and advanced metabolomics approaches are pre­sented as potential solutions to enhance MAP productivity and quality. The chapter also addresses global issues, including the impact of climate change on MAP cultivation, reg­ulatory hurdles, and the need for equitable benefit-sharing in the use of traditional me­dicinal plants. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific advance­ments, this chapter underscores the potential of MAPs to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices and produce high-quality medicinal compounds. Future perspec­tives emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary research to overcome the chal-
*
Corresponding author: Fatemeh Ahmadi, School of Agriculture and Environment, University of
Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia, e-mail: fatemeh.ahmadi@uwa.edu.au Maximilian Lackner, University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, Hoechstaedtplatz 6, 1200 Vienna, Austria
August Starzinger, Canngoo GmbH i.G., Rainerstraße 36, 5310 Mondsee, Austria
120 Fatemeh Ahmadi, Maximilian Lackner, and August Starzinger
lenges in MAP cultivation, ensuring their continued role in supporting global health, environmental sustainability, and economic development.
Keywords: bioactive compounds, industrial applications, secondary metabolites, salin­ity stress, sustainable agriculture

3.1 Introduction

Plants possess the remarkable ability to transform water, minerals, and other soil ele­ments into complex compounds essential for their metabolism [1]. These bioactive substances, including essential oils, alkaloids, tannins, and bitter compounds, not only benefit the plants themselves but also offer significant advantages to human health [2]. These natural compounds can enhance immune function and support various organ systems in the human body, positively impacting tissues and organs [3].
Despite rapid advancements in modern medicine, the use of natural remedies persists. Concerns about synthetic medication side effects and chemical additives have led many to prefer medicinal plants as alternatives [4]. The terms “medicinal” and “aromatic” are frequently used in conjunction to describe these herbs, generally referring to plants containing bioactive compounds with therapeutic and fragrant properties that can positively affect human and animal physiology [5].
Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) serve multiple purposes, from disease pre­vention and health maintenance to industrial applications. Their uses span various sec­tors, including nutrition, cosmetics, personal care, religious rituals, and the food, phar­maceutical, and perfume industries [6]. The range of active ingredients in MAPs is extensive, and while no standardized classification exists, they can be categorized based on their families, active components, intended uses, or pharmaceutical effects [7].

3.2 Bioactive compounds

Plant metabolites are typically categorized as primary or secondary, with proteins and nucleic acids excluded from this classification. Primary metabolites, such as car­bohydrates, fats, and proteins, are crucial for basic plant functions [8]. Secondary me­tabolites, however, are diverse compounds found in smaller quantities and are not essential for plant survival [9].
The stems and leaves of most MAPs are rich in secondary metabolites, with varied physiological activities. These compounds are generally classified into three main groups: phenolic compounds, terpenoids/terpenes, and alkaloids [10]. Common sec­ondary metabolites in MAPs include essential oils, glycosides, steroids, saponins, fla­vonoids, tannins, phenols, pigments, and resins, with over 30,000 distinct types identi-
Figure 3.1: Classification of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants.
Chapter 3 Challenges encountered in growing medicinal and aromatic plants 121
fied in plants (Figure 3.1). Additionally, MAPs may contain polyphenols, kinins, flava­nols/flavonoids, polypeptides, or their oxygenated derivatives. Some of these com­pounds may work synergistically, enhancing their biological effects [11].
3.2.1 Alkaloids
Alkaloids are nitrogen-containing compounds, typically with a ring structure, that ex­hibit alkaline properties and potent physiological effects [12]. Usually found in plants, these compounds often exist as salts with minerals or organic acids, and rarely in free form within plant cells. While alkaloids can have medicinal benefits when used cor­rectly, misuse can lead to severe consequences [13]. Examples include morphine from Papaver somniferum, cocaine from coca plants, nicotine from tobacco, and theobro­mine from cacao, all of which have addictive potential.
3.2.2 Terpenoids (terpenes)
Terpenoids are fundamental components of essential oils, composed of 5-carbon iso­prene units. The number of isoprene units determines their structure, ranging from monoterpenes to tetraterpenes. Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes are prevalent in es­sential oils, with monoterpenoids often responsible for a plant’s scent and flavor. Ses­quiterpenes are known for their antimicrobial and antitumoral properties [14].
Diterpenoids are found in resins and include the plant growth hormone gibberel­lin. Triterpenoids, like cucurbitacins and limonoids, play crucial ecological roles in plant defense against herbivores and insects [15]. For instance, azadirachtin from Aza-
122 Fatemeh Ahmadi, Maximilian Lackner, and August Starzinger
dirachta indica is a potent natural insecticide. Tetraterpenoids form carotenoids, which produce yellow, orange, red, and purple plant pigments and have significant commercial applications in food, feed, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics [16].
3.2.3 Phenolics
Phenolic compounds, characterized by hydroxyl groups attached to aromatic rings, are crucial for various plant functions including growth, development, pollination, and de­fense mechanisms [17]. These compounds exhibit potent antioxidant properties, making them valuable in preventing cardiovascular diseases, cancer, inflammation, and cellular mutations in table 3.1. Phenolics encompass a wide range of substances such as benzoqui­nones, phenolic acids, acetophenones, anthraquinones, flavonoids, lignin, flavonol, and tannins [18]. Flavonoids, a subgroup containing flavones, flavonol, and anthocyanins, con­tribute to plant coloration, protect cells from oxidative stress, and attract pollinators [19]. Tea leaves are rich in phenolics, particularly catechins and theaflavins, while artichoke contains snaring, which promotes liver cell regeneration [20]. Silymarin, derived from thistle seeds, is utilized in liver treatments. Essential oils, complex mixtures of numerous compounds, are another important plant product. For instance, rose oil contains over a hundred constituents, with citronellol, neral, and geraniol being key components [21]. Other plants like fennel and anise are rich in menthol, thyme species contain carvacrol, lavender has linalyl acetate, mint contains menthol, and melissa has neral. Medical sage is high in thujone, while marjoram is known for its thymol content [22].
Table 3.1: Classification of secondary metabolites in medicinal and aromatic plants [161].
Class Subcategories Examples Biological activities
Phenolics Flavonoids, tannins, and
lignins
Terpenoids Monoterpenes and
sesquiterpenes
Alkaloids Tropanes, isoquinolines,
and indoles
Catechins (tea) and resveratrol
Limonene (citrus) and carotenoids
Morphine (poppy) and vinblastine
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
Antimicrobial, insecticidal, and hormonal regulation
Analgesic, anticancer, and neurological effects

3.3 Industrial importance of biological active compounds

MAPs find applications across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, personal care, cosmetics, and organic food production [23]. Growing concerns about synthetic ad-